Research Assistant (Part Time, Fixed Term)

Job description

This post will be based at the University of Cambridge in the Department of Psychiatry and work as a Pre-doctoral Research Assistant to support three National Institute for Health & Care Research (NIHR) funded projects for 29.6 hours per week until the end of December 2027. It will support 3 projects WAIT LESS https://arc-eoe.nihr.ac.uk/research-implementation/research-themes/inclusive-involvement-research-mental-health-over-life-0 , the calibration and validation of Artemis A https://arc-eoe.nihr.ac.uk/research-implementation/research-themes/mental-health-and-wellbeing/calibration-and-utility-artemis and the Attend Well Study.

WAIT LESS is now progressing on to a feasibility trial of a new digital intervention for young people with depression on the CAMHS waiting list at two NHS trusts. The post will also be joining the validation of the Artemis A computer adaptive testing algorithm against clinical research diagnosis and seeing how profiles change with treatment in clinical samples from various parts of the UK. They will be based in Cambridge but liaise with colleagues at trusts in Norwich, Berkshire, Liverpool, Manchester and London. This list might expand as other partners come on board. The work requires knowledge and experience of psychometrics, analysis of large quantitative datasets, clinical trials and evaluations. The successful applicant will also support the delivery of the Attend Well study, particularly organising and running the Young People's PPI panel, supporting participant recruitment and assisting with data collection and other research activities.

We welcome applicants who would like to use this opportunity to develop further research proposals fellowship applications or other grants from the work completed.

The Child and Adolescent Resilience and Mental Health Research group undertakes applied epidemiology, as well as intervention development and evaluation. The successful applicant will be at a junior level but will have the opportunity to supporting placement students. We are particularly interested in someone with experience of psychometric analysis and quantitative methods.

The methods applied by the team include secondary analysis of large epidemiological datasets, mixed qualitative and quantitative observational studies, economic evaluation systematic reviews, and randomized controlled trials. The research is inherently translational and multi-disciplinary, and involves strong links with psychology, pediatrics, education, epidemiology, trial specialists, statisticians, health economics and basic scientists. Though we are looking for an applicant at a junior level, we envisage that they will eventually become involved in all aspects of this work.

Applicants will have a bachelor's degree in psychology psychology, or equivalent, a strong knowledge of assessment and outcome measures in relation to children and young people's mental health. Experience of working with administrative data would be desirable but is not essential. For further details, please read the further particulars, please provide at least 3 references, a CV and covering letter indicating how you meet the criteria for this post.
Informal enquiries may be directed to Professor Tamsin Ford via [email protected]

If you have any queries regarding the application process please contact Simon Gurry, HR Coordinator ( [email protected] ).

Deadline for applications is 27th October 2026, with interviews TBC

Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available until 31 December 2027 in the first instance.

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Please ensure that you upload a covering letter and a CV in the Upload section of the online application. The covering letter should outline how you match the criteria for the post and why you are applying for this role. If you upload any additional documents which have not been requested, we will not be able to consider these as part of your application.

Please include details of your referees, including email address and phone number, one of which must be your most recent line manager.

Please quote reference RN51389 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.

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