Research Officer

This role sits within the Offender Personality Disorder (OPD) Pathway and is critical to the delivery of robust, ethical and impactful research. It will support a growing programme of research into the experiences, risks, transitions and outcomes of individuals exhibiting personality difficulties and complex needs across custodial and community settings. The postholder will have responsibility for the successful delivery of specific projects and activities. They will work in close partnership with NHS, HMPPS, and academic collaborators and ensure that the research informs trauma-informed, psychologically informed and evidence-based practice across the OPD pathway.

This role is based in Resettle (Intensive Intervention & Risk Management Services) in Liverpool but will involve travel to other OPD sites and they will closely liaise with members of the OPD research team who are based elsewhere.

Resettle is a warm and welcoming community team with staff from the NHS, HMPPS and police working together to manage the risks and psychological needs of individuals on release from prison, to effect change.

The postholder will have responsibility for the successful delivery of specific projects and activities. They will contribute to mixed-methods evaluations, longitudinal studies, and feasibility research, with a focus on participant recruitment, fieldwork, data analysis, and stakeholder engagement. They will work in close partnership with NHS, HMPPS, and academic collaborators and ensure that the research informs trauma-informed, psychologically informed and evidence-based practice across the OPD pathway.

The postholder will successfully monitor the delivery of project management tools, techniques and experience. They will ensure programmes/ projects/ activities adapt to changing requirements and that plans are adjusted accordingly so that the deliverables are on time and to specified quality. They will initiate, support and manage the on-going and new development of programmes/ projects/ activities supported by a robust governance structure in order to enhance quality and compliance across the OPD Pathway, the Trust, HMPPS and academic collaborators.

Mersey Care is one of the largest trusts providing physical health and mental health services in the North West, serving more than 1.4 million people across our region and are also commissioned for services that cover the North West, North Wales and the Midlands.

We offer specialist inpatient and community services that support physical and mental health and specialist inpatient mental health, learning disability, addiction and brain injury services. Mersey Care is one of only three trusts in the UK that offer high secure mental health facilities.

At the heart of all we do is our commitment to ‘perfect care’ – care that is safe, effective, positively experienced, timely, equitable and efficient. We support our staff to do the best job they can and work alongside service users, their families, and carers to design and develop future services together. We’re currently delivering a programme of organisational and service transformation to significantly improve the quality of the services we provide and safely reduce cost as we do so.

Flexible working requests will be considered for all roles.

In collaboration with the Research & Data Lead, to oversee implementation and delivery of the rolling programme of research and innovation activities in line with OPD requirements.

To support the Research & Data Lead with grant applications, evaluation tenders and business planning.

To apply ethical, trauma-informed, and inclusive approaches to research and evaluation within custodial and community settings.

To support all aspects of research delivery, including study setup, ethics and governance compliance, and ongoing project coordination and management.

To develop, pilot, and administer qualitative and mixed-methods tools such as interview schedules, surveys, and observation protocols.

To plan, initiate and project manage the delivery of programmes/projects to time, budget and quality requirements via the application of agreed PMO tools, techniques, and expertise. This will be in collaboration with OPD staff and external partners, to ensure high quality, innovative work, which is compatible with the aims and objectives of the OPD pathway research agenda linked to the Trust’s Operational Plan.

To promote a research-positive culture by acting as an ambassador for the OPD pathway.

To support wider organisational initiatives relating to equity, lived experience, or quality improvement through evidence-informed approaches.

To develop robust links with key stakeholders, including those within and external to the Trust and OPD Pathway and relevant university and academic collaborators.

To plan all aspects of programmes/ projects with key stakeholders, documenting, monitoring and evaluating plans.

To communicate and engage effectively and establish good working relations with a wide range of people, from all levels and groups including the OPD research team, managers, clinicians, commissioners, HMPPS and NHS OPD central team and academic collaborators.

To communicate sensitive information and unwelcome news associated with programmes and projects.

To co-ordinate team member responsibilities and allocate tasks to ensure timely delivery of projects and adherence to policy and procedures, ensuring they are equipped to fulfil their project role including identification and provision of training needs.

To supervise the Band 4 OPD research assistant and other junior staff, interns, or peer researchers as needed.

To monitor customer satisfaction and implement process improvement.