Art, Mental Health, and Community: Co-creating intersectoral pathways to recovery - HOSTING OFFER – MSCA-PF 2025

The group “Basic, Clinical and Epidemiological Research in Mental Health” lead by Dr. José Guzmán-Parra at the IBIMA Platform BIONAND in Málaga (Spain) is interested in hosting a Marie Curie Fellowship. 1 Marie Skłodowska-Curie projects are offered to be supervised by Dr. Jessica Marian Goodman Casanova:

Dr. Jessica Marian Goodman Casanova:

Education:

Specialized training in Mental Health Nursing (2018)

PhD, University of Alcalá (2023)

M.Sc Art Therapy, University Autónoma of Madrid (2023)

Current Positions:

Co-Responsible Researcher and Mental Health Nurse at the Mental Health Clinical Management Unit, Regional University Hospital of Málaga and Biomedical Research Institute of Málaga (IBIMA BIONAND)

Research Focus:

Dr. Goodman-Casanova is specialized in the intersection of mental health, arts, and community-based interventions. Her work emphasizes co-creation with service users and cross-sector collaboration between health and cultural institutions.

Key Publications:

  • Goodman-Casanova, J.M., et al. (2024). Community-based art groups in mental health recovery: A systematic review and narrative synthesis. Journal of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing, 31(2), 158–173.
  • Goodman-Casanova, J.M., et al. (2023). Effectiveness of museum-based participatory arts in mental health recovery. International Journal of Mental Health Nursing, 32(5), 1416–1428.
  • Goodman-Casanova, J.M., et al. (2023). It’s all about the journey! An online museum-based recovery-oriented art psychotherapy group. International Journal of Art Therapy, 28(1), 3–14.

Research Projects:

RecuperArte: A multicenter program evaluating the impact of participatory arts in museums on mental health recovery.

Description of the center: IBIMA Platform BIONAND is a multidisciplinary research space in biomedicine and nanomedicine that is centered around the two largest hospitals located in Malaga (Regional and Virgen de la Victoria University Hospitals) and Primary Care Units of the Andalusian Public Health System, together with the biotechnological groups of the University of Malaga. This entity brings together 73 research groups, selected based on scientific excellence, and working on eight big research areas. IBIMA aims to promote research of excellence, oriented towards translational research, fostering transferable results to clinical practice, advancing in the improvement of prevention, diagnosis and treatment of the most prevalent health problems at the regional, national and international level. It enables the development and promotion of a space for cutting-edge research that contributes to the scientific basis of the programs and policies of the National Health System. In 2015, IBIMA obtained recognition from the National Ministry of Health as one of the Biomedical Research Institute of reference in Spain. In 2022, the Andalusian Centre for Nanomedicine and Biotechnology (BIONAND) was integrated into IBIMA, equipped with a nanoimaging Unit holding the distinction of “Singular Scientific and Technical Infrastructure” awarded by the Spanish Government, infrastructure unique in Spain and one of the most complete in Europe. The Institute is part of relevant European research infrastructures such us EATRIS (Biomarkers and ATMP platforms) and ECRIN (designated in 2022 as National Hub of ECRIN-ERIC by the Spanish Government), and also participates in more than 80 scientific and technological research networks, being a European reference in biomedical and translational research.

Description of the project/projects:

  • Number of positions available: 1
  • Project 1 Objective: Develop and Evaluate Art-based Interventions: Design and implement community-based art programs that facilitate mental health, emphasizing co-creation with participants and integration within cultural institutions.
  • Project 2 Objective: Enhance Cross-Sector Collaboration: Foster partnerships between mental health services and cultural organizations to create sustainable, recovery-oriented art initiatives that are accessible and inclusive

    Application Details

    • Foreseen job starting date: March 2026 (or later, depending on the GA signature)
    • Application deadline: 11 September 2025
    • How to apply: MSCA application website
    • Application e-mail: opi@ibima.eu; jessica.goodman@ibima.eu

    Candidate profile

    • You are a highly motivated PhD. graduate, in your first 8 years of research experience in the mental health field, looking for a hosting institution to apply for a Marie Curie Postdoctoral Fellowship.
    • You have not resided or carried out their main activities in the country of Spain for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately prior to the abovementioned deadline.
    • Your research expertise is related to mental health, the arts, community-based interventions, participatory research methods and co-creation processes.

    Required education level:

    • Required education level 1: PhD
    • Degree field:
      • Background in mental health nursing, psychology, psychiatry, art therapy, or related fields.

    Required experience level:

    • Main research field: Sciences
    • Sub research field: Mental Health, Art, Community
    • Years of research experience: Max. 8 years of postdoctoral experience

    Required languages skills:

    • Language: Spanish and English
    • Language level: Proficient (C1 or higher)

    Additional requirements:

    • Skills:
      • Strong qualitative research skills, including thematic analysis and narrative synthesis.
      • Ability to engage with diverse communities and facilitate participatory workshops.
      • Excellent communication and collaboration abilities across disciplines.
    • Specific requirements:
      • A demonstrated commitment to interdisciplinary research and community engagement.
      • Willingness to work within both clinical and cultural settings.
      • Flexibility to adapt to various community contexts and participant needs.

    At the deadline for the submission of proposals (11 September, 2024), researchers:

    • shall be in possession of a doctoral degree.
    • must have a maximum of 8 years full-time equivalent experience in research, measured from the date of award of the doctoral degree.
    • must not have resided or carried out their main activities in the country of Spain for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately prior to the abovementioned deadline.

    Important and contac information