Senior Research Practitioner; Outside Study

The OUTSIDE2 study (Outdoor Swimming as a Nature-Based Intervention for Depression) is a large-scale randomised controlled trial hosted by Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust. It investigates whether outdoor swimming can reduce symptoms of depression and improve wellbeing compared to usual care alone. Building on earlier pilot work (OUTSIDE1), the study aims to provide robust evidence for clinical and cost-effectiveness.

Purpose of the Role: The postholder will support the quantitative analysis, write-up, and dissemination of the research. They will play a key role in ensuring data integrity, applying advanced statistical methods, and contributing to publications and reports, under the guidance and supervision of the Trial statisticians. The role also involves supporting the Trial Statisticians, Health Economists, and wider team including liaising with the Brighton & Sussex Clinical Trials Unit.

Main Duties of Job The postholder will work within the OUTSIDE2 research team, hosted by Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, supporting the analysis and completion of a large-scale randomised controlled trial. Day-to-day, the role focuses on managing and analysing trial data, ensuring accuracy and integrity, and contributing to the interpretation and dissemination of findings.

Key aspects include:

• Collaborating with the Brighton & Sussex Clinical Trials Unit and the wider study team.
• Cleaning and preparing large datasets for analysis.
• Performing statistical analyses using software such as Stata or R.
• Supporting the production of manuscripts, presentations, and reports.
• Supporting the Trial Statistician.

We are committed to flexible and agile working practices and are happy to discuss options that support work-life balance and team collaboration.

We are a collaborative, supportive team with a strong commitment to high-quality research, inclusivity, and improving mental health outcomes. You'll join a multidisciplinary group that values creativity, rigorous methodology, and shared learning. We encourage professional development and offer opportunities to contribute to impactful research that can shape future mental health care.

The postholder will play a pivotal role in the OUTSIDE 2 study, a large-scale randomised controlled trial hosted by Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust. This research aims to evaluate outdoor swimming as a nature-based intervention for depression, generating evidence to inform clinical practice and policy.

Working closely with Trial Statisticians, Health Economists, the Brighton & Sussex Clinical Trials Unit, and the wider multidisciplinary team, the postholder will ensure that data processes meet rigorous standards for accuracy, reproducibility, storage and sharing. They will apply advanced statistical methods to analyse trial data, troubleshoot data issues, and maintain clear documentation throughout the process.

The role also includes contributing to the interpretation of findings and supporting dissemination through publications, presentations, and stakeholder engagement. A strong quantitative background and experience managing complex datasets are essential.

The postholder will help embed Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) and Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement (PCIE) principles within research outputs.

We are committed to flexible and agile working practices and are happy to discuss arrangements that support work-life balance while meeting project needs.

• RMN/RGN or equivalent qualification in health, social care or Psychology degree
• PhD (or equivalent experience) in a relevant discipline (e.g., health sciences, psychology, biostatistics). The PhD should have been awarded.

• An understanding of research about mental health and dementia issues and interventions
• Data Management - Ability to clean, validate, and organise large quantitative datasets from research studies including merging datasets
• Proficiency in descriptive and inferential statistical analysis relevant to high-quality RCTs.
• Understanding of data governance, confidentiality, and ethical standards.
• Evidence of experience and understanding of research design, methodology, data collection and analysis
• Evidence of continuous personal and professional development
• Experience analysing randomised controlled trial (RCT) data (including intention-to-treat analyses and addressing missing data).
• Familiarity with mixed-effects models or random-effects models.
• Knowledge of clinical research data structures (e.g., Case Report Forms, REDCap for data capture, or similar systems).

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with experience of communicating complex information
• Highly motivated with the ability to work as part of a team and also on an individual basis.
• Excellent organisational skills with proven ability to prioritise.
• Software
  
  Skills:
  
  Experience with statistical packages such as Stata (preferred) or R.
• Ability to…