Assistant Psychologist - Clinical Research - Sleeping Better

Integrated Care System; Oxford; Hybrid; GBP 31,000 - 38,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare provider in Oxford is seeking an Assistant Psychologist to support specialist psychological therapy for young people at ultra-high risk of psychosis. You will join a dedicated clinical research group, deliver interventions, and assist in participant recruitment for a major trial. The ideal candidate will have a psychology degree and relevant experience in mental health settings, along with a passion for helping vulnerable populations.

Benefits

27 days annual leave, plus bank holidays

NHS discount scheme

Employee Assistance Programme

Cycle to work scheme

Qualifications

• Experience of psychological research.
• Experience working with patients at ultra-high risk of psychosis.
• Familiarity with Data Protection Act guidelines.

Responsibilities

• Deliver the Sleeping Better intervention under supervision.
• Establish supportive relationships with participants.
• Contribute to screening and recruitment of patients.

Skills

Engagement with young people

Knowledge of psychosis

Experience with NHS clinical teams

Understanding of clinical trials methodology

Education

Degree in Psychology 2.1 or above

Job description

Assistant Psychologist - Clinical Research - Sleeping Better

We are recruiting for an Assistant Psychologist to join us in supporting specialist psychological therapy for young people at ultra-high risk of psychosis.

You'll join a centre of excellence in the development and delivery of psychological interventions for psychosis: the Oxford Cognitive Approaches to Psychosis clinical research group. It is a thriving and supportive clinical research group, based in the University and Oxford Health, that aims to carry out work to the highest standards for patients.

You'll deliver specialist psychological therapy as part of the Sleeping Betterproject - a large multi-site randomised controlled trial testing the team's 12-week treatment for sleep and circadian rhythm difficulties. You'll be working clinically across a number of NHS trusts - as part of a specialist remote clinic treating sleep and circadian problems in young people at risk of psychosis, and support the recruitment of participants to the trial.

You'll be part of the Oxford Cognitive Approaches to Psychosis (O-CAP) clinical research group based in the Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford. We are a large clinical research team (40 people) working to understand why mental health problems happen and how they can be best treated psychologically. It is a thriving and supportive clinical research group that aims to carry out work to the highest standards for patients.

Main duties of the job

• To deliver the Sleeping Better intervention in line with the treatment manuals and study protocols, under the supervision of a clinical psychologist/psychological therapist, as part of the Sleeping Better trial.
• To establish a trusting and supportive relationship with those taking part in the Sleeping Better therapy. High levels of engagement with participants will be expected from the post-holder.
• To contribute to the screening and recruitment of patients with psychosis and young people at ultra-high risk of psychosis. This will involve speaking to referrers regularly, attending clinical team meetings, visiting community mental health teams and hospital wards. There are monthly recruitment targets.
• To attend and contribute to study fidelity rating meetings, supervision, and regular training sessions with other study staff members.
• To produce brief clinical reports based on the treatment delivery as part of the trial.
• Therapy will primarily be delivered remotely, though there may be times when travel is required which would be facilitated by having valid driving licence, and access to own or other independent means of transport (we also use a local car share scheme).

Please refer to the job description attached for a comprehensive list of duties.

About us

Oxford Health is a great place to work and to be able to showcase the best of yourself when making an application please read the "candidate guide to making an application" and ensure your supporting statement is tailored to the role you are applying for and addresses any essential criteria.

As a Trust we provide physical, mental health and social care for people of all ages across Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Swindon, Wiltshire, Bath and Northeast Somerset. Our services are delivered at community bases, hospitals, clinics and people's homes, delivering care as close to home as possible. Our vision is that no matter who you are or where you are, you will tell us that you receive:"Outstanding care delivered by an outstanding team"

Our values are:"Caring, safe and excellent"

At Oxford Health we offer a wide range of benefits designed to support your career and wellbeing. These include:

• Excellent opportunities for career progression
• Access to tailored individual and Trust wide learning and development
• 27 days annual leave, plus bank holidays, rising to 33 days with continuous service
• NHS Discount across a wide range of shops, restaurants and retailers
• Lease car scheme
• Cycle to work scheme
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Mental Health First Aiders
• Staff accommodation (please note waiting lists may apply)
• Staff networking and support groups hosted by our Equality, Diversity & Inclusion team

Job responsibilities

The primary base will be in the Oxford Cognitive Approaches to Psychosis (O-CAP) team in the Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford. Although based at Oxford and delivering therapy primarily remotely, you are likely to travel to collaborating NHS trusts and project sites.

Interested applicants will find the type of work described in these two publications:

Waite, F., ernis, E., Kabir, T., Iredale, E., Johns, L., Maughan, D., ... & Freeman, D. (2023). A targeted psychological treatment for sleep problems in young people at ultra-high risk of psychosis in England (SleepWell): a parallel group, single-blind, randomised controlled feasibility trial.The Lancet Psychiatry,10(9), 706-718.

Freeman, D., & Waite, F. (2025). Sleep and circadian difficulties in schizophrenia: presentations, understanding, and treatment. Psychological Medicine, 55, e47.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Degree in Psychology 2.1 or above

Experience

• Experience of psychological research
• Experience of working within NHS mental health clinical teams
• Experience working with patients with psychosis or young people at ultra-high-risk of psychosis
• Experience of working within the guidelines of the Data Protection Act and an understand of the code of ethics and confidentiality in research

Knowledge & Skills

• Ability to engage young people and patients having experiences such as paranoia, hearing voices, anxiety and depression
• Interest and knowledge of psychosis
• Knowledge of clinical trials methodology and experimental psychology.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

£31,049 to £37,796 a yearper annum | pro rata