Postdoctoral Research Fellow

University of Reading; Oxford; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

An established institution is seeking a Postdoctoral Research Fellow to spearhead an innovative project aimed at enhancing mental wellbeing in adolescents through nature-based interventions. This role involves leading a multidisciplinary team, designing research studies, and engaging with various stakeholders, including schools and external partners. The position offers a unique opportunity to contribute to applied psychological research while developing skills in project management and public engagement. If you are passionate about mental health and eager to make a difference, this position could be your next step in a rewarding career.

Qualifications

• PhD or DClinPsy in Psychology, Health, or relevant subject.
• Experience in empirical psychological research and ethics applications.

Responsibilities

• Lead research study design, data collection, and analysis.
• Engage with schools and external partners for project collaboration.

Skills

Empirical Psychological Research

Advanced Statistical Skills

Project Management

Communication Skills

Education

PhD in Psychology

DClinPsy

Job description

By reference to the applicable SOC code for this role, sponsorship may be possible under the Skilled Worker Route. Applicants wishing to consider the SWR must ensure that they are able to meet the points requirement before applying. Successful candidates not already holding a Skilled Worker visa issued before 4th April 2024 will need to have a relevant PhD qualification or qualify as a new entrant before being able to be sponsored. Further information about visas is available on the UK Visas and Immigration Website.

Please see the job description and personal specification for further details.

The closing date for applications is 23.59 on 1st June 2025.

Interview date - Tentatively in the 1st week of July 2025.

Job Description

We are recruiting a Postdoctoral Research Fellow to lead on a new exciting project ‘Eden Bioflo: Bringing Nature to Schools’ to develop school-based nature-based interventions to enhance mental wellbeing and resilience in adolescents. The post will be based at the Charlie Waller Institute within the School of Psychology and Clinical Languages Sciences at the University of Reading, with close collaborations with the Flourishing and Wellbeing Theme within the NIHR Oxford Health Biomedical Research Centre at the University of Oxford. The research team includes researchers and academic clinical psychologists across both Universities, including Prof Ilina Singh (Oxford) and Prof Stella Chan (Reading), as well as external partners including the Eden Project and participating schools. This multi-disciplinary, cross-institutional setting offers ample training and networking opportunities to develop skills in research, public/stakeholder engagement, and project management/leadership.

Our research group focuses on developing evidence-based psychological practices to improve mental health and wellbeing in children and young people (CYP). This project aims to evaluate the effects of nature-related activities (such as a school trip to the Eden Project) on CYP’s mental wellbeing. Using Citizen Science methodology, the project will co-design a brief intervention with CYP to promote mental resilience through sparking and sustaining nature-based curiosity. While committed to high levels of public engagement, the research involves investigating the interplay between nature-relatedness, nature-based curiosity, mental health outcomes, flourishing, and related constructs, using rigorous scientific methods from design to data analysis.

The postholder will serve as the main researcher and project manager, responsible for designing the research study, data collection, analysis, dissemination, and running co-production workshops with participants. They will liaise with schools and external partners and support related research and engagement activities. This role is ideal for researchers interested in applied psychological research and working with non-academic partners and CYP.

Requirements

• A PhD or DClinPsy (or soon to obtain one) in Psychology, Health, Mental Health, Neuroscience, or a relevant subject.
• An appropriate publication record for the career level.
• Experience in conducting empirical psychological research, including participant recruitment, ethics applications, and data collection.
• Advanced statistical skills.
• Good organization and project management skills.
• Excellent communication skills, both oral and written, capable of engaging non-academic partners and the public.
• A DBS check is required for this position.

Contact Details

Contact Name: Professor Stella Chan
Contact Job Title: Charlie Waller Chair in Evidence-Based Psychological Treatment
Contact Email: [e-mail]

The University is committed to diversity and inclusion, supports the Athena SWAN and Race Equality Charters, and champions LGBT+ equality. We are a Level 2 Disability Confident Employer. Applications for job-share, part-time, and flexible working are welcomed and will be considered in line with business needs.