Live Researcher in Residence Opportunities

Project Title: Assessing Nature-Based Practice, working with Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust (AWP)
Timelines: ASAP with project results to be delivered within six months.
Funding: The total available budget for this project is £7,000.
Closing Date/Time: 5pm on 19 January 2026

This advert is for a Researcher in Residence to complete assessments of nature-based practice activities working with Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust (AWP).

Project Details

The aim of the project is to use research methodology:

• To assess the willingness of clinicians and managers to use / support nature-based practice in specialist Mental Health services
• To assess in which areas it is considered useful
• To assess service users’ enthusiasm for using nature within their treatment plan

Project Next Steps

The report of the Researcher in Residence’s project may inform business cases for additional revenue and capital investment, inform transformation and service improvement projects and may also be used as part of AWP internal and external assurance processes regarding quality and safety of services.

How to Apply

Please submit an application form with a covering letter why you are interested in the project and your CV to bnssg.research@nhs.net by the 19 January 2026.

Download the application form (.docx)

Project Title: Considering Alternatives to Section 136 Detention for Individuals in Mental Health Crisis
Timelines: ASAP with project results to be delivered within six months.
Funding: The total available budget for this project is £7,000.
Closing Date/Time: 5pm on 19 January 2026

BNSSG Integrated Care Board has an exciting opportunity for an academic to support a BNSSG system group with the development of a business case to provide alternatives to section 136 detention when people are in mental health crisis.

This advert is for a Researcher in Residence to assist with qualitative interviews, surveys, and data analysis working with Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust (AWP) and system partners including the ambulance service and police.

Project Details

The project results will inform the development of the business case that aims

• To reduce the number of people detained under section 136 of the Mental Health Act 1983
• To reduce the time taken to complete assessments
• To ensure prompt admission to hospital for those who need it.

Project Next Steps

• The report of the Researcher in Residence project will inform business cases for additional revenue and capital investment and may also be used as part of AWP internal and external assurance processes regarding quality and safety of services.

How to Apply

• Please submit an application form with a covering letter why you are interested in the project and your CV to research@nhs.netby the 19 January 2026.

Download the application form (.docx)

Project Title: Developing a Fair and Affordable Equitable Payments Calculator for Primary Care Research
Location: Remote with occasional visits to the NHS Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire ICB offices (100 Temple Street) and selected Deep End practices.
Timelines: Flexible funding and project outline discussions with a start date of ASAP
Funding: The total available budget for this project is £8,000.
Closing Date/Time: 12:00pm on 19 January 2026

Please note this opportunity is available to University of Bristol and the University of the West of England academics.

Overview

We are seeking a researcher to support the development and validation of a new Equitable Payments Calculator for primary care research. The calculator aims to create a fairer and more realistic funding model for research in disadvantaged areas.

Current research payment mechanisms often fail to reflect the burden on under-resourced practices. Anecdotally, we’ve heard that research tasks in these settings can take up to eight times longer than in affluent areas due to higher patient complexity and lower staffing levels.

A template calculator has been developed for use locally and has garnered interest across other areas of the UK and with NIHR. To make sure we can justify the use of the calculator we are seeking support with both the development and validation of it.

This project will ensure that future research activity is more inclusive, equitable and viable for the practices serving the communities with the highest health needs.

We are looking for a researcher with expertise in health services research, health inequalities, primary care, and mixed methods research.

We anticipate that the academic will undertake the following activities, but we would also like to work with the academic to shape the project:

• Gather data on the accuracy of the calculator and if it is a fair and reasonable representation of the additional work of under resourced practices.
• Use qualitative methods (e.g., interviews, observations) and/or surveys to collect data on research being delivered in practice.
• Help us refine and develop the calculator.
• Collaborate with the NHS Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire ICB Research Team, and feedback to partner organisations e.g. the NIHR and the R&D Forum’s Primary Care.
• Contribute to the evidence base that supports the standardisation of equitable research payments across Primary Care.
• Present the work and the calculator at local events (online and in-person) as well as with national forums of research support services (e.g. R&D Forum Working Groups and/or the Research Support Service)

Essential 

• Experience in primary care or applied health research
• Strong qualitative and/or mixed methods skills
• Ability to work collaboratively with health professionals and stakeholders
• Sensitivity to the challenges faced by practices in disadvantaged areas

Desirable

• Familiarity with the NIHR research landscape
• Experience working with or in Deep End/general practices
• Understanding of funding and costing frameworks in healthcare research

How to apply

Please send your research CV and completed application form to bnssg.research@nhs.net.

Download the application form (.docx)