Post-Doctoral Researcher

12 Months, Specific Purpose, Part -Time Post (0.8FTE) Position Summary This post provides an exciting opportunity to join a project examining the social determinants of youth suicide and self-harm in Ireland. The successful candidate will work with a team of multi-disciplinary researchers and international partners, using national datasets to produce actionable knowledge for youth self-harm and suicide prevention. The candidate will be involved in two work packages of this four-year project, including large-scale national research studies which will examine structural and intermediary determinants of suicidal behaviour in children, adolescents and young adults. The position will involve working with the project team to apply high-level quantitative methodologies to address the study objectives using national datasets. The candidate will also work with an experienced team of collaborators in synthesising the findings of the research programme overall, and in communication of study findings to a broad audience. The ideal candidate will have a background in epidemiology/ psychology/ psychiatry/ public health research. Experience in quantitative methodology is essential, particularly observational research designs. The successful candidate will report directly to and work closely with the Principal Investigator, Dr Elaine McMahon. The successful candidate will also work closely with national and international collaborators on the project, including Dr Paul Corcoran, National Suicide Research Foundation, University College Cork. Project Background Funded by the Health Research Board, EQUALISE is a four-year project which commenced in February 2025, in collaboration between the National Suicide Research Foundation and the School of Public Health, UCC, under the NSRF-UCC Memorandum of Collaboration. The project consists of four work packages, involving quantitative techniques including data linkage and analysis of both cross-sectional and longitudinal observational data. The aims of the project are: To quantify the impact of social inequities on youth suicide risk. To identify the social determinants of youth self-harm in the community. To examine potential causal pathways from childhood deprivation to self-harm, in order to identify modifiable mediating factors as targets for intervention. To identify policy and practice priorities with the ultimate goal of youth suicide prevention. This project will maximise the use of large-scale national data. The ultimate aim of this project is to generate actionable knowledge for youth self-harm and suicide prevention. The outcomes of this research programme will contribute to a renewed focus on the social determinants of suicidal behaviour and the identification of actions to reduce inequities. Project Title: Targeting inequalities in self-harm and suicide among children, adolescents and young adults (EQUALISE) Post Duration: 12 Months, part-time post (0.8FTE) Salary: €46,306-€52,863 (IUA PD1 Salary Scale) pro rata (0.8 FTE) For an information package including further details of the post see Informal enquiries can be made in confidence Dr Elaine McMahon, Senior Research Fellow, School of Public Health, University College Cork. Email: Applications must be submitted online via the University College Cork vacancy portal Queries relating to the online application process should be referred to quoting the job-title and project name. Candidates should apply, in confidence, before 12 noon (Irish Local Time) on Friday September 26th, 2025. No late applications will be accepted. Please note that an appointment to posts advertised will be dependent on University approval, together with the terms of the employment control framework for the higher education sector. UCC is committed to creating and fully embracing an inclusive environment where diversity is celebrated. As a University we strive to create a workplace that reflects the diversity of our student population where people from a wide variety of backgrounds learn from one another, share ideas, and work collaboratively. UCC is committed to being an employer that recognises the value of diversity amongst its staff. We encourage applicants to consult our policies at and initiatives at and we welcome applications from everyone, including those who are underrepresented in the protected characteristics set out in our Equal Opportunities & Diversity Policy. UNIVERSITY COLLEGE CORK IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES EMPLOYER To be considered for this role you will be redirected to and must complete the application process on our careers page. To start the process, click the Apply button below to Login/Register.