CoSTAR National R&D Lab Research Fellow

Royal Holloway University of London; Egham; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading UK university is seeking an experienced Research Fellow to contribute to cutting-edge research in its 'User Futures' team. You will design and analyze studies focused on multisensory user engagement with next-generation technologies. Ideal candidates will have a PhD in Psychology or a related field, along with a passion for interdisciplinary collaboration. This fixed-term role offers a unique opportunity to influence the future of creative industries.

Benefits

Generous annual leave

Training and Development opportunities

Pension Scheme with employer contribution

Cycle to Work scheme

Free parking

Qualifications

• Passion for delivering interdisciplinary research with real-world impact.
• Discussing and co-creating research with stakeholders from both industry and academia.
• Ability to thrive in fast-moving environments.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to the delivery of 'User Futures' research programmes.
• Liaise with internal teams and external stakeholders.
• Present research plans and findings to various audiences.

Skills

Interdisciplinary research

Excellent spoken and written English

Organisational skills

Adaptability

Proactive attitude

Education

PhD in Psychology or related discipline

Job description

Overview

Full-time, Fixed-Term (until March 2029). The CoSTAR National R&D Lab, led by Royal Holloway, University of London, is seeking an experienced, collaborative Research Fellow to deliver research on one of the UK’s most exciting and ambitious creative R&D programmes. This is a key role within our ‘User Futures’ team, where you’ll work closely with industry partners and other researchers from a range of disciplines, contributing insights and approaches from psychological science and related areas into the lab’s ground-breaking collaborative R&D programmes.

As Research Fellow you will primarily contribute to research programmes being run by the ‘User Futures’ team (currently focused on multisensory experience). The post holder will design, run, analyse and write up research into a range of different aspects of user engagement with next-generation screen and performance technologies.

This role is ideal for someone with a PhD and research experience in Psychology or a related discipline, in an area that is relevant for CoSTAR’s R&D programmes.

About the National R&D Lab

Backed by a £51.1 million UK Government investment (AHRC/UKRI), the CoSTAR National R&D Lab is the UK’s flagship initiative to support the screen and performance industries through world-class research, innovation, and infrastructure. Led by Royal Holloway, and in partnership with major industry and academic players including University of Surrey, Abertay University, the National Film & Television School, Pinewood Studios, BT and Disguise, the Lab brings together cutting-edge technologies — such as AI, virtual production, and 5G — with world-leading research in storytelling, media production, psychology, and creative tech. At the Lab’s core is a commitment to equality, diversity, inclusion, and environmental sustainability, embedded in everything from team culture to project design and delivery.

What You Will Be Doing

• Contributing to the delivery of ‘User Futures’ research programmes, including literature reviews, conceptualisation and design of studies, organising and running testing sessions, recording, managing and analysing the resulting data, and writing up the findings for a variety of target audiences
• Interdisciplinary working to contribute to R&D programmes led by other CoSTAR ‘Futures’ teams
• Liaison with internal teams and external stakeholders across industry and academia
• Presentation of research plans, findings and insights internally and externally to a range of different audiences

Who We're Looking For

• You should apply if you:
• Are passionate about delivering interdisciplinary research with real-world impact
• Have a PhD in Psychology or a related discipline, in an area that is relevant for CoSTAR’s R&D programmes (e.g. multisensory perception, people’s experience of immersive technologies etc.)
• Are happy discussing and co-creating research with a range of different stakeholders from across industry and academia
• Communicate clearly and confidently, with excellent spoken and written English
• Are highly organised, adaptable, and thrive in fast-moving environments with shifting priorities
• Bring a proactive, positive attitude and the ability to work independently and collaboratively

Why Join Us?

This is a unique opportunity to be part of a nationally significant programme. You’ll work in a supportive, inclusive, and visionary team — one that values bold thinking, rigorous delivery, and meaningful impact. Together, we’ll help place the UK’s Creative Industries at the forefront of global innovation.

Apply now and help us build something extraordinary.

This role is available from 1st December 2025 (or as soon as possible thereafter).

Rewards and Benefits

• Generous annual leave entitlement
• Training and Development opportunities
• Pension Scheme with generous employer contribution
• Various schemes including Cycle to Work, Season Ticket Loans and help with the cost of Eyesight testing
• Free parking

Location

The post is based in Egham, Surrey where the University is situated in a beautiful, leafy campus near to Windsor Great Park and within commuting distance from London and will also be based at Pinewood Studios in Buckinghamshire.

Application Details

For an informal discussion about the post, please contact [e-mail]

For queries on the application process the Human Resources Department can be contacted by email at: [e-mail]

Please quote the reference: 1025-232

Closing Date: 23:59, 19 October 2025

Interview Date: 7 November 2025