Research Assistant

University of Reading; England; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 35,000; Part time

Job summary

University of Reading invites applications for a Research Assistant in the School of Psychology and Clinical Language Sciences for an Eagles Autism Foundation funded project examining sensory hyperreactivity in autistic children. You should have experience with autistic children and recruitment/testing of neurodivergent populations, plus a psychology degree and hands-on research experience.

You will recruit families, schedule visits, and administer a testing battery, including sample handling as

Qualifications

• Degree in psychology or related field.
• Experience recruiting and testing neurodivergent populations.
• Experience with participants, ideally autistic children and families, and research experience.

Responsibilities

• Recruit and schedule families’ visits and administer a testing battery.
• Process and store biological samples where required.
• Work with basic software including Excel and SPSS/R.

Skills

Recruitment of participants

Lab-based research

Experience with autistic children

Education

Degree in Psychology or related field

Tools

Excel

SPSS/R

Job description

Job details

Contractual hours: 18

Job category/type: Academic and Administrative Support

Job description

Part-time 17.5 hours per week, Fixed Term for 20 months

Closing date: (23:59) 16/11/2026

Interviews will be held: Week commencing 7 December

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.

Applications are invited for a Research Assistant position at the School of Psychology and Clinical Language Sciences at the University of Reading for an Eagles Autism Foundation funded project investigating sensory hyperreactivity in autistic children.

You should have experience with working with autistic children and/or substantial experience of recruitment and testing of neurodivergent populations.

You should have a degree in Psychology or related field, experience working with participants, ideally autistic children and their families and experience in research. You will recruit and schedule families’ visits and also administer a testing battery, including optional collection of capillary blood samples using touch activated phlebotomy, with autistic children and of processing and storing biological samples.

You will have:

• Prior experience of recruiting and working with children, ideally autistic children
• Experience of conducting lab-based research
• Knowledge of experimental methods
• You will be proficient in basic software including Excel and SPSS/R and have the ability to work well with children and parents under research conditions.

A standard DBS check is required for this position.

Please see these links for information on Safeguarding and Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Procedure

If you would like to know more about the role contact Dr Teresa Tavassoli at [e-mail]

We welcome applications from both external and internal candidates. As part of the University’s ongoing commitment to professional development, this role can be considered on a seconded basis for existing staff members. Internal candidates should discuss this with their line manager prior to applying.

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.

£31,861 to £35,302 per annum, pro rata. Grade 5