Job offer Research Assistant Working Collaboratively with the Homeless Sector

University of Surrey; Guildford; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading educational institution is seeking a full-time Research Assistant from March 2026 to September 2027 to support its clinical psychology programme within the Homeless sector. This role is crucial for building evidence on training placements for clinical psychologists. Applicants should have a master's degree in psychology or related fields and be confident in both quantitative and qualitative research methodologies. The position aims to help understand and address health inequalities within the sector and encourages applications from underrepresented groups.

Qualifications

• Master's degree required.
• Confident in using quantitative and qualitative research methodologies.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Support development of evidence in the Homeless sector.
• Work with applied psychologists and homeless sector partners.
• Evaluate direct and indirect benefits of training placements.

Skills

Quantitative research methodologies

Qualitative research methodologies

Written communication skills

Oral communication skills

Education

Master's degree in psychology or relevant field

Job description

The clinical psychology programme team is looking to employ a full time Research Assistant from March 2026 to September 2027 to support the development of our work within the Homeless sector. This post is crucial to the programme being able to build the evidence of the impact of providing training placements for clinical psychologists within the sector.

Until very recently there was limited training opportunities to work in this sector owing to the barriers of supervision and placement expectations. Over the last two year we have piloted a new approach which NHSE have supported. They have provided further financial commitment for to enable us to extend the project and explore how best to evaluate the direct and indirect benefits of the project.

This post would particularly suit those with an aspiration to become a clinical psychologist and will provide an opportunity to work with a team of applied psychologists, homeless sector partners as well as trainees who respect and value one another, are advocates for lived experience, lifelong learning, and who embrace change.

Applicants will typically need to have a master's degree in psychology or a relevant field and will be confident in the use of quantitative and qualitative research methodologies as well as how to undertake evaluations. They will have self-assurance in their written and oral communication skills so that they are able to engage in sensitive topics of conversations.

The profession of clinical psychology currently attracts fewer individuals from minority groups into training. These posts will play a central role in helping us to understand how the profession can help address psychological and physical health inequalities in this sector, so we are seeking someone who wishes to contribute to this and be part of a cultural change. We particularly encourage applications from those who identify as belonging to Black, Asian or other minoritized ethnic groups as these groups are underrepresented both in the programme team and the wider profession of clinical psychology.

The clinical psychology programme is based within the School of Psychology, within the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences (FHMS). The faculty is a leading provider of undergraduate and postgraduate healthcare education, research and consultancy. It has extensive links with local health care providers and is based in a modern, purpose built, state-of-the-art teaching facility on the University of Surrey campus in Guildford. Further information about the University and the School of Psychology can be found at https://www.surrey.ac.uk/school-psychology