Student-Led Research Team: Recruiting Now

SMaRteN are now recruiting members for our next Student-Led Research Team.

Whether you're an undergraduate or PhD student, we are seeking the best and the brightest with a passion for improving student mental health to form the SMaRteN Student-Led Research Team. Read on for more details on what will be expected of the Student Team, or click on the Students tab to hear more about our current cohort and the work they have undertaken.

​To apply click here
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Please read this page carefully before applying, as some of the information will inform your application.

Students at the heart

SMaRteN believes that in order to effectively understand student mental health, we need to work with students; students need to be part of the network, part of the management team and part of the research team.

This is why we are recruiting a Student-Led Research Team to be at the heart of our activity. 

The role of the Student-Led Research Team is to support the network's activities and to ensure representation of the student voice across the network. The Student Team will be involved in research projects within the network, as well as providing advice and insight for SMaRteN events. 

What will the Student-Led Research Team do?

SMaRteN's 2021 Student Research Team will be the third of four teams working with us over the lifespan of SMaRteN.

As part of the Student Team you will work with leading researchers, University staff, charities and student societies to promote the importance of student mental health research. This will include thinking of interesting ways to communicate our research, so that it reaches those who can make use of it; such as those responsible for University policy and teaching, student societies and students themselves. We want make sure that both the research coming from members of our network and the research we fund can be put to a practical use and shared as widely as possible.

Additionally, your role will involve thinking of creative ways to engage more students in our events and online workshops, and you will work closely with researchers to develop their projects - that is to say, you will act as an important sounding board and will give input and feedback on their research projects and ideas.

Other specific projects undertaken by the team will include the development of a resource allocation model for thinking about the costs of mental health problems from the perspective of health economics, and the opportunity to be part of the panel allocating funding through our final funding round, Student Mental Health: Answering Students' Key Questions? 

Time commitments

​We expect students joining the network to join for one year (from February to December). Within that year you will be expected to take part in a few set events spanning over 7 days in total:

• 12-14 hours of virtual training (staggered over 3-4 sessions) in the week of 15th-20th February. 
• Team meetings, usually five or six throughout the year. 
• Other workshops and meetings as appropriate - depending on the projects you choose to engage with. 

In addition to these core events and depending on what you would like to get involved in, you may want to factor in up to an approximate time commitment of 2 to 3 hours a week. 

All events will take place virtually for the foreseeable future. Subject to COVID-19 restrictions, meetings and events may resume in person. In this case, team meetings and events will take place in London. You will be able to claim travel expenses and we provide accommodation if needed. 

How will the Student Team be supported?​

We want to make sure that all students participating as part of the research team have the skills and confidence to take part in research activities. To this end, we have planned for annual training to help new members of the Student-Led Research Team get up to speed. Training will take place in the week of 15th February. 

In addition to this, the team meetings will provide opportunities for additional training. SMaRteN will make every effort to work around academic commitments.

What are the benefits in participating?

As a member of the Student-Led Research Team, you will be able to work with internationally recognised researchers and contribute directly to research projects. Other benefits:

• You will receive training throughout, enabling you to develop and use new research skills.
• All expenses to attend and engage with training and network events will be covered. 
• This experience will be a valuable addition to your C.V.
• Participate in funding panels and steering group meetings, gaining experience of the behind-the-scenes of research.

Get involved

Who?
We invite applications from any students - undergraduate and postgraduate -  who will be able to make the time commitments outlined above. We are keen to work with students with lived experience of mental health difficulties, as well as those who have an interest in mental health but no lived experience. We’d love to hear from you, whether you think more needs to be done around student mental health or feel more cynical about the increasing focus on student mental health.​
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Given the time commitment, we recommend that participation in this network may be particularly suitable for second year undergraduate students (starting in January of your second year at University).

This opportunity will not be suitable for final year students, as events and research commitments will run through your final exams and continue beyond the end of your degree.

We are keen to work with students from a diverse range of backgrounds, subjects of study and universities. We do not expect the student team to have pre-existing research skills or experience.

We will be looking for commitment to the aims and objectives of the network and an enthusiasm to participate and learn, rather than (necessarily) pre-existing knowledge or experience.

​As there is a substantive time commitment, you may want to discuss your application with your personal tutor and ask for their opinion on whether you are able to engage with this project without jeopardising your own academic studies. 

How?
Complete the following form to apply to the SMaRteN Student Research Team: https://kcliop.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_cu7G8ViIGM7EN6d

The deadline for applications is 25th January at midnight.

Telephone interviews to join the Student Led Research Team will take place in the week beginning 3rd February. 

Apply now!

Looking forward

The aims and objectives of the Student-Led Research Team detailed above are part of the four-year lifespan of SMaRteN. To learn more about the experiences and work of the 2018-19 cohort, click the Students tab.