Research Fellow (Psychological Stress) - (7385)

Fellowship Opportunity: Psychological Stress

Psychology at Manchester Metropolitan:

Research in the Department of Psychology aims to deliver innovative, evidence-based and impactful solutions that facilitate and optimise human adaptation to our rapidly changing world. The Department has five Professors, and over 1300 students at all levels. In REF21 staff from the department were returned in UoA3, UoA20 and UoA24 which were rated top 15, top 16 and top 6 for research power respectively by Times Higher Education. We are both teaching- and research-intensive, with a clear focus on four research areas:

• Psychological Mechanisms Underlying Child and Adolescent Mental Health
• Adaptation to Complex and Demanding Environments
• Cognition and Mobility Across the Life Course
• Interventions that Promote Health and Behavioural Change

Research on psychological stress cuts across all these four themes and we seek applications predominantly in exploring adaptation to complex and demanding environments. In this area, research is particularly focused on the challenge of increasingly complex, fast moving, technologically driven working environments.  We have excellent links across a range of demanding work environments including sport, defence and security settings, corporate settings, emergency medicine and space travel and have conducted research in all these settings. With international partners, we take a biopsychosocial approach to exploring the impact of stress on health and performance in these demanding environments and as such we would particularly welcome applications from individuals with an interest and experience in applying biopsychosocial approach to the understanding psychological stress.

About the role: 

• To undertake world-leading and internationally excellent research using latest and innovative methodologies, as relevant in your area of research. 

• To prepare, present and publish research outputs through the appropriate forums e.g. research workshops, conferences, seminars, exhibitions, portfolios, academic journals etc. 

• To develop ideas for generating income to ensure the continued success and growth of research portfolio.  

• To disseminate findings of research widely to further the institution's standing in the HE and research community and strengthen the impact of the research.

• To engage in scholarly activities conducive to a long-term successful academic career that will support and enhance the research culture within the Department/ School, Faculty and University.

About the candidate: 

With a doctoral-level qualification in a relevant discipline, you will develop your own body of work in the broad area of psychological stress, using a biopsychosocial approach. You will be supported to help develop cutting edge research with focus on adaptation to complex and demanding environments. 

Requirements: 

• Doctoral level qualification in a related research area. 

• Possess breadth or depth of specialist knowledge and demonstrate potential for research independence.

• Excellent track record of relevant research outputs. 

• Significant research experience in the chosen field of research, which should include where appropriate: 
  • leading the work of a team, co-ordinating effort and resources to meet objectives 
  • developing partnerships within the University and with external agencies  
  • preparing funding proposals and applications to external bodies 
  • using initiative, creativity and judgement to develop appropriate approaches to research 
  • synthesising complex data from different sources and communicating findings via written reports and articles 
  • presenting at national and/or international research meetings 
  • supervising student work and providing appropriate support and feedback. 

• Experience of managing and monitoring performance of research projects in multi-disciplinary teams.

• Ability to manage projects involving academic institutions and funding bodies. 

Please refer to the Job Description & Person Specification for a full list of essential & desirable criteria. 

Academic Contact: Prof Marc Jones (marc.jones@mmu.ac.uk) to discuss the fellowship opportunity in detail. 

Application Process: 

To apply to the Fellowship, please provide the following documents: 

• Research Interest Statement (no more than two sides of A4, font size 11, 2 cms margin): Statement should include your long-term career aspirations, how your research till date and plans to develop and contribute towards your research interest in the future will impact the University's Research Strategy whilst working with an existing team of researchers. 

• Research Proposal (no more than four sides of A4, font size 11, 2 cm margins): Kindly provide a research proposal focused on a specific topic within the research faculty you are applying for. The proposal should be accompanied by a Gantt chart outlining a 3-year research timeline.  

• Curriculum Vitae (include details of your education, citizenship, publications, funding, employment history & names of referees) 

Please note that panels will not consider attachments that fall outside of the limits, where specified. 

We aim to offer up to a maximum of 15 fellow appointments, for which we will be assessing applicants competitively across the four faculties that are welcoming applications. 

Assessment Timelines: 

• The application window will be available for 8 weeks and will close on 29 May 2024
• Interviews will be held on-site in Manchester (where practical) in the w/c 17 and 24 June 2024
• We aim to make offers to successful candidates in the w/c 03 July 2024

Enquiries:  

If you haven't found your specific area of research, please click here to sign up to our job alerts. 

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us on researchfellowships@mmu.ac.uk   

Manchester Met University is committed to creating an intentionally inclusive culture of belonging that promotes equity and celebrates diversity. We understand the importance of having a diverse workforce and the benefits it can bring to ensuring diversity of thought and innovation in everything we do. We, therefore, encourage applications from our local and international communities, in particular people from ethnic minority groups, disabled people and people who identify as LGBTQIA+.    

We recognise the benefits and importance of an environment that supports flexible working and are open to conversations about this throughout the application process.  

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