Postdoctoral Researcher and Project Manager (R2) in Forensic Psychology – HELP.d (Horizon Europe)

Universitat Internacional de Catalunya; España; Hybrid; EUR 42,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

Universitat Internacional de Catalunya invites applications for a Postdoctoral Researcher to join the Epidemiology and Public Health team at UIC Barcelona, under the HELP.d Horizon Europe project.

The role combines three main areas: psychological intervention and participant management, scientific research, and scientific/operational project coordination, with a strong emphasis on international collaboration and research integrity.

Qualifications

• University degree in Psychology.
• Master's degree in Forensic Psychology or a closely related field.
• PhD in Psychology or a related discipline.
• At least three years of professional experience in problematic sexual behaviour, paraphilic disorders or sexual offending.
• Demonstrated experience in individual or group psychological interventions.
• Proven experience in scientific research and research project management.
• Professional proficiency in English, Spanish and Catalan, both written and spoken.

Responsibilities

• Deliver structured, non-healthcare psychological and preventive interventions in accordance with project protocols.
• Participate in participant recruitment, screening, assessment and follow-up.
• Support the implementation and monitoring of digital interventions.
• Contribute to participant engagement, retention and adherence to intervention protocols.
• Identify operational challenges and contribute to improving intervention delivery.
• Contribute to the development and implementation of research protocols.
• Collaborate in data collection, quality assurance and interpretation of findings.
• Prepare scientific reports, conference communications and peer-reviewed publications.
• Work with the research team's methodological specialists to ensure scientific quality.
• Coordinate UIC Barcelona's research activities within the HELP.d consortium.
• Monitor project milestones, deliverables and implementation schedules.
• Facilitate communication and collaboration with international partners.
• Organise research meetings and coordinate operational activities.
• Prepare technical progress reports and contribute to scientific reporting.

Skills

English proficiency

Spanish proficiency

Catalan proficiency

Education

Bachelor's degree in Psychology

Master's degree in Forensic Psychology or related field

PhD in Psychology or related discipline

Job description

Organisation/Company Universitat Internacional de Catalunya Research Field Medical sciences Researcher Profile Recognised Researcher (R2) Positions Postdoc Positions Application Deadline 28 Nov 2026 - 23:59 (Europe/Madrid) Country Spain Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Horizon Europe (other) Reference Number GAP-101290710 Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

The successful candidate will join the Epidemiology and Public Health research team at UIC Barcelona, working under the supervision of the project's Principal Investigator and in close collaboration with international research partners.

The position combines three main areas of responsibility:

1. Psychological Intervention and Participant Management (40%)**

• Deliver structured, non-healthcare psychological and preventive interventions in accordance with project protocols.
• Participate in participant recruitment, screening, assessment and follow-up.
• Support the implementation and monitoring of digital interventions.
• Contribute to participant engagement, retention and adherence to intervention protocols.
• Identify operational challenges and contribute to improving intervention delivery.

2. Scientific Research (30%)**

• Contribute to the development and implementation of research protocols.
• Collaborate in data collection, quality assurance and interpretation of findings.
• Prepare scientific reports, conference communications and peer-reviewed publications.
• Work with the research team's methodological specialists to ensure scientific quality.

3. Scientific and Operational Project Coordination (30%)**

• Coordinate UIC Barcelona's research activities within the HELP.d consortium.
• Monitor project milestones, deliverables and implementation schedules.
• Facilitate communication and collaboration with international partners.
• Organise research meetings and coordinate operational activities.
• Prepare technical progress reports and contribute to scientific reporting.
• Liaise with UIC Barcelona's Vice-Rectorate for Research, Innovation and Knowledge Transfer, which retains responsibility for financial and administrative management.

Requirements

Research Field Psychological sciences Education Level PhD or equivalent

Skills/Qualifications

Essential Qualifications

• University degree in Psychology.
• Master's degree in Forensic Psychology or a closely related field.
• PhD in Psychology or a related discipline.
• At least three years of professional experience in problematic sexual behaviour, paraphilic disorders or sexual offending.
• Demonstrated experience in individual or group psychological interventions.
• Proven experience in scientific research and research project management.
• Professional proficiency in English, Spanish and Catalan, both written and spoken.

Desirable Skills and Experience

• Training in evidence-based psychological interventions, particularly cognitive-behavioural approaches.
• Experience in digital psychological interventions and online prevention programmes.
• Experience in participant recruitment, assessment and follow-up.
• Experience working with vulnerable populations in forensic or correctional settings.
• Knowledge of psychological assessment instruments and sexual risk assessment.
• Experience in child sexual abuse prevention programmes.
• Experience in clinical trials or intervention studies.
• Experience coordinating European or international research projects.
• Scientific publications relevant to forensic psychology and intervention research.
• Experience in professional training and supervision.
• Availability for occasional international travel.

Specific Requirements

• Demonstrated professional experience in the assessment and intervention of problematic sexual behaviour, paraphilic disorders or sexual offending.
• Proven experience in delivering structured individual or group psychological interventions.
• Ability to implement evidence-based prevention and intervention protocols within the applicable professional and legal framework.
• Experience in coordinating research activities, monitoring project milestones and preparing scientific or technical deliverables.
• Ability to work within multidisciplinary and international research consortia.
• Availability to work in a hybrid arrangement, combining on-site activities at UIC Barcelona with remote work.
• Commitment to research ethics, confidentiality, safeguarding procedures and the responsible handling of sensitive participant information.

Languages ENGLISH Level Excellent

Languages SPANISH Level Excellent

Research Field Psychological sciences Years of Research Experience 4 - 10

Additional Information

• Full-time position within a Horizon Europe-funded international research project.
• Opportunity to contribute to innovative, evidence-based approaches to child sexual abuse prevention.
• Participation in a multidisciplinary European research consortium involving leading academic and research institutions.
• Opportunities for scientific international collaborations and professional development.
• Access to methodological support and institutional research resources.
• Remuneration according to UIC Barcelona's salary scales, taking into account qualifications, experience and responsibilities.
• Professional experience in the coordination and implementation of an international research project.

Eligibility criteria

Applicants must the following requirements to be eligible for consideration:

• Hold a university degree in Psychology, a Master's degree in Forensic Psychology or a closely related field, and a PhD in Psychology or a related discipline.
• At least three years of professional experience in problematic sexual behaviour, paraphilic disorders or sexual offending.
• Experience in scientific research and the coordination or management of research projects.
• Professional proficiency in English, Spanish and Catalan.
• Be legally entitled to work in Spain by the time of appointment, subject to applicable immigration and employment regulations.
• Be able to perform the assigned duties in compliance with Spanish professional regulations and the ethical requirements of the HELP.d project.

Applicants will initially be required to submit a CV and a motivation letter. Supporting documentation will be requested from shortlisted candidates.

Selection process

The selection process will follow UIC Barcelona's open, transparent and merit-based recruitment principles, in accordance with its HRS4R guidelines.

1. Applications will be reviewed to verify compliance with the essential academic, professional and language requirements. Only eligible candidates will proceed to the next stage.

Eligible candidates will be assessed according to the following weighted criteria:

• Clinical and forensic professional experience: **40%**
• Scientific research experience: **20%**
• Research project coordination and management experience: **40%**

Particular consideration will be given to experience directly relevant to the objectives and activities of HELP.d.

2. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to a structured interview assessing their technical expertise and professional experience in the three areas of responsibility. Interviews will follow consistent assessment criteria to ensure fairness and comparability.

3. A proposed selection committee will review the applications. The comimittee will comprise three members:

• The HELP.d Principal Investigator at UIC Barcelona.
• A researcher from the project team.
• An external scientific expert.

The final committee composition will be subject to institutional approval.

4. Final Decision

The selection decision will be based on the candidates' qualifications, relevant professional experience and interview assessment, following the procedures established by UIC Barcelona's Vice-Rectorate for Research, Innovation and Knowledge Transfer.

Candidates will be informed of the outcome in accordance with the university's recruitment procedures.

Additional comments

Only a CV and a motivation letter are required at the initial application stage. Shortlisted candidates may be asked to provide supporting documentation and participate in a structured interview.

Work Location(s)

Number of offers available 1 Company/Institute Universitat Internacional de Catalunya. Dpt of Medicine Country Spain Geofield