Overview
Research Associate in drug analysis (AP13117) – Bath, BA2 7AY
About the role
This is an exciting opportunity to join the newly formed Bath Mental Health Research Group (MHRG) at the University of Bath. The MHRG is funded for an initial 5 years by the NIHR (National Institute for Health Research). The focus of our work is applied research aged 12-25 aimed at improving the health and wellbeing of children and young people in the local region.
This post builds on our previous findings (Cozier et al., 2025, Addiction) showing that approximately one in six vapes seized in English schools contained synthetic cannabinoids or ‘Spice’.
This post will support further drug testing work, with a particular focus on our local region, emerging drug trends, and the development of interventions.
We have a clear commitment to skills training and career development for all research staff in the MHRG. You will work under the supervision of world-leading clinicians and academics. The Bath MHRG is partnering with the Universities of Bristol and Exeter (as part of the GW4 network) to deliver this project and there may be opportunities to work with researchers at partner institutions. You will also have opportunities to receive further research training (e.g., in PPIE or good clinical practice).
About you
- You will hold a PhD degree in analytical science or related discipline
- Experience or interest in the field of health psychology and drug detection
- Experience of common analytical techniques including Mass spectrometry and NMR
- Strong communication and organisational skills
- The ability to extract and analyse components of interest from complex matrices by NMR, HLPC and LC-MS is required.
Further information
This is a full-time (1 FTE) post, which is available for an initial period of 2 years. Due to the project’s requirements, regular in-person attendance at the University of Bath is required.
We welcome applications from candidates with lived experience (either personal or within your family) of the areas covered within our research remit including common mental health difficulties, substance use issues or neurodiversity. We aim to make this an inclusive recruitment process. Our current plan is to have online interviews, with interview questions provided in advance.
As a member of Research Staff at the University of Bath, you will be encouraged to take up a minimum of 10 days professional development pro rata per year
For an informal discussion of these roles, or if you have any questions, please contact Prof Chris Pudney (bs1cp@bath.ac.uk) or Dr Pamela Jacobsen, pcj25@bath.ac.uk), the Director of the MHRG. Campus visits can be organised with sufficient notice.
The Department of Life Sciences covers a wide spectrum. We have cross disciplinary work through various initiatives.
The Psychology Department is world-renowned for its excellence in research and teaching, regularly appearing in the top 5 in national league tables (e.g., The Complete University Guide). Research in the department occurs across more than six sub-disciplines in psychology, including clinical, cognitive, developmental, environmental, forensic, health, and social psychology. The department has a rapidly expanding Early Career Researcher community, who offer peer support alongside a broader university programme of professional development activities for research staff.
We consider ourselves to be a university where difference is celebrated, respected and encouraged. We have an excellent international reputation with staff from over 60 different nations and have made a positive commitment towards gender equality and intersectionality receiving a Silver Athena SWAN award. We truly believe that diversity of experience, perspectives, and backgrounds will lead to a better environment for our employees and students and encourage applications from all genders, backgrounds, and communities, particularly from under-represented groups, and value the positive impact that will have on the university. We are committed to maintaining a safe and secure environment for our students, staff, and community by reinforcing our Safer Recruitment commitment.
We’re very proud to be a signatory of the Armed Forces Covenant. an accredited Disability Confident Leader; autism friendly university, committed to building disability confidence and supporting disabled staff.
What we can offer you:
We’re continually expanding our benefits package to better support you and enhance your experience with us and the below is just an example of some of the many great benefits we offer:
- Free counselling services through Health Assured
- Cycle to work scheme
- Electric vehicle salary sacrifice scheme
- Staff discount at Team Bath gym
- Staff discounts on postgraduate tuition fees
- Staff discount on language courses
- Generous employer contributory pension schemes
- Generous annual leave allowance with an additional 5 discretionary days so that you can enjoy a positive work life balance
- A wide range of personal and professional development opportunities including Apprenticeships, LinkedIn Learning and more
- Free entry to the Holburne Museum in Bath
- Local discounts and more
- A family-friendly workplace
- An excellent reward package that recognises the talents of our diverse workforce
- Relocation allowance
- Visa reimbursement and Interest-Free Loan to help with the cost of some immigration expenses
Find out more about our benefits and watch the video to hear from our staff about what makes the University of Bath a great place to work as well as following us X and LinkedIn.
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Closing Date: 05 Nov 2025
Department: Education & Research
Salary: £38,784 to £46,049
