Post-doctoral Research Assistant

University of Reading; Reading; On-site; GBP 37,000 - 39,000; Part time

Job summary

The University of Reading invites applications for a four-year, part-time (0.6 FTE) post-doctoral research position in Health Psychology, focusing on urological well-being and phage therapy‑related research. This EU Horizons‑funded project offers international collaboration and opportunities for trial coordination and patient involvement.

We welcome applicants with a PhD in Health Psychology or Psychology, strong qualitative interviewing skills, and experience with SPSS or R for data analysis.

Qualifications

• PhD in Health Psychology or Psychology required.
• Experience in qualitative interviews and quantitative analysis.
• Experience in UTI research preferred.
• Outstanding written and oral communication skills.
• Strong time management and project management abilities.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate the REPhRAME trial across seven European nations.
• Lead patient and public involvement activities.
• Create trial materials and set up international PAGs.
• Conduct qualitative interviews and run focus groups.
• Design and execute large-scale international surveys with quantitative analysis.
• Collaborate on health economics analyses.
• Work toward trial ethical approval with international partners.

Skills

Qualitative interviewing

Inferential statistics (SPSS/R)

UTI research experience

Excellent communication skills

Time management & project mgmt

Education

PhD in Health Psychology or Psychology

Tools

SPSS

R

Job description

Job description

Part Time (0.60 FTE) / Fixed Term (4 years)

Closing date: 23.59 on 8th October 2026

Interviews will be held: To be confirmed

This role is not eligible for Skilled Worker visa sponsorship. The successful candidate(s) will have to ensure that they have the right to work in the UK or be able to secure this through another means without the sponsorship of the University. Further information about sponsorship is available on the UK Visas and Immigration Website.

Investigating the impact of Phage Therapy on people living with recurrent Urinary Tract Infection: RECURRENT URINARY TRACT INFECTION: EFFICACY AND SAFETY OF PHAGE THERAPY AND MICROBIOTA TRANSFER - REPHRAME

We invite applications for a four-year, part-time (0.6 FTE) post-doctoral research position, focusing on the application of Health Psychology to urological well-being.

Funded by EU Horizons, this four‑year fixed‑term role offers an exceptional opportunity to contribute to a high‑impact, interdisciplinary research project built on strong clinical partnerships. You will gain experience of research coordination, intensive patient and public involvement work, and strategic network building. You will contribute to the REPhRAME team’s collaborative trial, across seven European nations. This role involves working towards trial ethical approval (with the support of international partners), creating trial materials, setting up international Patient Advisory Groups (PAGs), conducting qualitative interviews, running focus groups, designing and executing large-scale international surveys with quantitative data analysis, and collaborating on health economic analyses. This project will look at gender roles, societal attitudes towards UTI, phage and faecal transplants and it will be co‑created and co‑designed with patients throughout, particularly in recruitment, material creation and information dissemination.

We welcome applications from both internal and external candidates. In line with the University’s commitment to staff development, this role may be considered as a secondment opportunity for existing employees; internal applicants should discuss this with their line manager before applying.

You will have: compulsory

• A PhD in Health Psychology or Psychology
• Expertise in qualitative interviewing and inferential statistics using SPSS or R
• Experience of working in UTI Research
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Strong time management and project management skills

The University is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and as such safeguarding checks will be undertaken.

Safeguarding Requirements and Responsibilities

• To undertake safeguarding training and follow the University’s Safeguarding Children & Adults at Risk Policy at all times.
• To consider Safeguarding in Risk Assessment processes for events and activities you deliver.
• To report any disclosures or concerns using the Safeguarding Incident Form and submit this to the UK Student Recruitment and Outreach team Designated Safeguarding Officer.

An Enhanced DBS with a adult barred list check is required for this position. This role is a regulated activity. This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (ROA) 1974.

Please see these links for information on Safeguarding and Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Procedure, including Recruiting ex-offenders principles.

For more information, please contact:

Dr Katherine Finlay - Associate Professor in Psychology - [e-mail]

Melissa Kramer - CEO, Live UTI Free - [e-mail]

The University is committed to having a diverse and inclusive workforce, supports the gender equality Athena SWAN Charter and the Race Equality Charter, and champions LGBT+ equality. We are a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2). Applications for job-share, part-time and flexible working arrangements are welcomed and will be considered in line with business needs.

£36,636 to £38,784 per annum /pro rata. Grade 6