Research Assistant in Cancer Inequalities in Screening

UCL AI Centre; London; Hybrid; GBP 35,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading university is seeking a Health Psychology Researcher in the Department of Behavioural Science and Health. The role involves conducting mixed methods research to explore cancer screening inequalities. The successful candidate will have relevant qualifications and experience in this area. Benefits include 41 days of holiday and a pension scheme.

Benefits

41 days holiday

Defined benefit pension scheme

Cycle to work scheme

On-site gym

Employee assistance programme

Qualifications

• Experience in mixed methods research in cancer behavioral science.
• Undergraduate qualification (2.1 or above) required.
• Knowledge of qualitative and quantitative analysis tools.

Responsibilities

• Support mixed methods research studies on cancer screening inequalities.
• Conduct interviews and online surveys.
• Assist in programming an eye tracking study.

Skills

Mixed methods research

Knowledge of NVivo

SPSS competence

Education

Undergraduate degree in psychology

MSc in Health Psychology or Behavioral Science

Job description

Ref Number B02-08857 Professional Expertise Research and Research Support Department School of Life & Medical Sciences (B02) Location London Working Pattern Part time Salary £35,930-£41,255 Contract Type Fixed-term Working Type Hybrid Available for Secondment No Closing Date 22-Jun-2025

About Us

Behavioural Science and Early Diagnosis of Cancer Group

Our group has expertise in understanding uptake of cancer screening (focusing on colorectal and cervical screening), communication and decision-making in screening, measuring patient experiences, and assessing knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs about cancer. Our research projects are supported by competitively acquired funding by NIHR, Cancer Research UK, and the International Cancer Alliance for Early Detection of Cancer.

Research Department of Behavioural Science and Health

The post is based within the Research Department of Behavioural Science and Health which is one of four research departments within UCL Institute of Epidemiology and Health Care https://www.ucl.ac.uk/epidemiology-health-care/ . The Research Department of Behavioural Science and Health is dedicated to research on how human behaviour impacts health and health outcomes. Our research and teaching reflect our interdisciplinary approach to health and wellbeing, focusing on a broad range of public health issues, such as alcohol and tobacco use, heart disease, cancer, and obesity. Further information can be found at: www.ucl.ac.uk/epidemiology-health-care/research/behavioural-science-health .

About The Role

We are looking for a health psychology researcher to work in the Department of Behavioural Science and Health supporting a series of mixed methods research studies to better understand mechanisms underlying inequalities in uptake of cancer screening, including Multiple Cancer Detection tests. The work will include applying for UCL research ethics, conducting interviews, online surveys and supporting the programming of an eye tracking study to understand differences in preferences for images to support engagement with information about cancer screening.

Application Details

• This is a fixed-term contract with external funding until 30th of June 2026.
• Appointment will be at Research Assistant Grade 6B, point 25-28 (salary £38,607- 41,255 per annum inclusive of London allowance/Pro-rata)
• This appointment is subject to UCL Terms and Conditions of Service for Research and Professional Services Staff. Please visit https://www.ucl.ac.uk/human-resources/conditions-service-research-teaching-and-professional-services-staff for more information.
  
  

Application Process

• A full job description and person specification can be accessed at the bottom of this page.
• Please use the personal statement section to explain how you meet each of the essential and desirable criteria outlined in the person specification.
  
  

Contract Details

• If you have any queries regarding the vacancy or the application process, please contact Christian Von Wagner ([e-mail])
• If you need reasonable adjustments or a more accessible format to apply for this job online or have any queries about the application process, please contact Maria Kristensen ([e-mail]).
  
  

About You

Experience of mixed methods research, preferably in the area of behavioral science of early diagnosis of cancer. Undergraduate qualification in psychology or a related discipline (2.1 or above) and a MSc in Health Psychology or Behavioural Science with a focus on health behavior. Knowledge of NVivo or other software packages use in qualitative analysis, competence in the use of SPSS or other quantitative software.

What we offer

As well as the exciting opportunities this role presents we also offer some great benefits some of which are below:

• 41 Days holiday (27 days annual leave 8 bank holiday and 6 closure days)
• Additional 5 days’ annual leave purchase scheme
• Defined benefit career average revalued earnings pension scheme (CARE)
• Cycle to work scheme and season ticket loan
• Immigration loan and expenses
• Relocation scheme for certain posts
• On-Site nursery
• On-site gym
• Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption pay
• Employee assistance programme: Staff Support Service
• Discounted medical insurance
  
  

Visit https://www.ucl.ac.uk/work-at-ucl/reward-and-benefits to find out more.

Our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

As London’s Global University, we know diversity fosters creativity and innovation, and we want our community to represent the diversity of the world’s talent.

We are committed to equality of opportunity, to being fair and inclusive, and to being a place where we all belong.

We therefore particularly encourage applications from candidates who are likely to be underrepresented in UCL’s workforce. These include people from Black, Asian and ethnic minority backgrounds; disabled people; LGBTQI+ people; and for our Grade 9 and 10 roles, women.

Available documents

Attached documents are available under links. Clicking a document link will initialize its download.

• download: BSH - Research Assistant in cancer inequalities in screening.docx