Postdoctoral Research Fellow

University of Reading; Reading; 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 collaboration with leading universities and external partners, offering a unique opportunity to engage in impactful research while developing skills in project management and public engagement. The successful candidate will lead the research study, conduct data analyses, and engage with schools and participants, making a significant contribution to the field of applied psychological research. This is an exciting chance to be part of a multi-disciplinary team focused on promoting mental resilience through nature-related activities.

Qualifications

• Strong interests in applied psychological research.
• Experience in participant recruitment and ethics application.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design and execution of the research study.
• Manage data collection and analysis, and dissemination.

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. There is further information about visas on the 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.

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 consists of 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 and cross-institutional setting will provide the postholder with ample training and networking opportunities to develop skills in research, public/stakeholder engagement, project management, and leadership.

Our research group has a strong focus on developing evidence-based psychological practice to enhance mental health and wellbeing in children and young people (CYP). In this specific project, we aim to evaluate the effects of nature-related activities (such as a school trip to the Eden Project) on CYP’s mental wellbeing. Using a Citizen Science Methodology, the project will further co-design a brief intervention with CYP that aims at promoting mental resilience through sparking and sustaining nature-based curiosity. While the research team is committed to delivering the project with high levels of public engagement, this is fundamentally a research project that involves investigating the interplay between nature-relatedness, nature-based curiosity, mental health outcomes, flourishing, and other related constructs, using rigorous scientific research methods from design to execution and data analyses.

The postholder will be the main researcher and project manager, responsible for the design of the research study, data collection, data analyses, dissemination, running co-production workshops with participants, liaising with participating schools and external partners, and supporting related research and engagement activities. The post is particularly suited for researchers who have strong interests in developing a broad profile in applied psychological research and those who enjoy working with non-academic partners and CYP.

You Will Have

• A PhD or DClinPsy (or soon to obtain a PhD/DClinPsy) in Psychology, Health, Mental Health, Neuroscience, or a relevant subject
• A publication record appropriate for the career level
• Experience of conducting empirical psychological research including participant recruitment, ethics application, and data collection
• Advanced statistical skills
• Good organisation and project management skills
• Good communication skills, both orally and in writing, including the ability to communicate to non-academic partners and members of the public
• A DBS check is required for this position

Contact details for advert

Contact Name: Professor Stella Chan

Contact Job Title: Charlie Waller Chair in Evidence Based Psychological Treatment

Contact Email address: [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.