Research Assistant: MARGINS

University-of-Oxford; Oxford; Presencial; GBP 30.000 - 38.000; Jornada completa

Ventajas ofrecidas por este puesto de trabajo

Contributory pension

38 days annual leave

Childcare services

Family leave schemes

Discounted bus travel

Social and sports clubs

Descripción de la vacante

The University of Oxford's Department of Psychiatry at Warneford Hospital in Oxford is seeking a Research Assistant to join the MARGINS study, focused on how digital experiences affect mental health in young people aged 10–17. The role is full-time and funded for two years, with a start by 1 February 2027 and on-site duties with some remote flexibility subject to study needs.

You will work with the OxWell Project Manager and senior researchers to plan, recruit, collect data across four waves,

Formación

• First undergraduate degree in psychology, health sciences, social sciences or another relevant discipline.
• Experience conducting research with adolescents aged approximately 12–18 years, with a focus on mental health and wellbeing is essential.
• Experience of recruiting and engaging research participants, with an understanding of research ethics, confidentiality and data protection, is also essential.
• Experience of longitudinal research and/or repeated follow-up of research participants and of mental health research would be desirable.

Responsabilidades

• Manage day-to-day delivery of the longitudinal study, including preparation of study materials and coordination of data collection across four waves.
• Identify opportunities to improve study procedures and participant retention.
• Select and adapt established quantitative and/or qualitative research methodologies to gather, analyse and present data.
• Work closely with the OxWell Project Manager and senior researchers to manage your own research and administration activities within guidelines.

Conocimientos

Research experience

Adolescent research

Ethics knowledge

Data analysis

Educación

Bachelor's degree in psychology or related

Descripción del empleo

Department of Psychiatry, Warneford Hospital, Oxford, OX3 7JX

The University of Oxford is a stimulating work environment, which enjoys an international reputation as a world-class centre of excellence. Our research plays a key role in tackling many global challenges, from reducing our carbon emissions to developing vaccines during a pandemic.

The Department of Psychiatry is based on the Warneford Hospital site in Oxford – a friendly, welcoming place of work with an international reputation for excellence. The Department has a substantial research programme, with major funding from Medical Research Council (MRC), Wellcome Trust and National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) and provides highly rated medical training in psychiatry. The Head of Department is Professor Belinda Lennox.

We are looking for a Research Assistant to join the MARGINS (Mental health And Restrictions: Generating new INSights) study in the Department of Psychiatry

What We Offer

As an employer, we genuinely care about our employees’ wellbeing and this is reflected in the range of benefits that we offer including:

• An excellent contributory pension scheme
• 38 days annual leave
• A comprehensive range of childcare services
• Family leave schemes
• Discounted bus travel and Season Ticket travel loans
• Membership to a variety of social and sports clubs

The post involves the day-to-day delivery of a longitudinal study with children and young people, including participant recruitment, engagement and follow-up, and therefore requires regular on-site. Some flexibility to work remotely may be possible, subject to the operational requirements of the study and agreement with the line manager.

About the Role

The post is full-time and funded for two years. It is based in the Department of Psychiatry at the Warneford Hospital. Applicants must be available to start by 1 February 2027 at the latest.

You will work primarily on the project's longitudinal study, which will follow young people aged 10–17 across four waves of data collection to understand how their digital experiences, behaviours and mental health change as technology restrictions are introduced.

Working closely with the OxWell Project Manager and senior researchers, you will manage your own research and administration activities relating to the study, within guidelines provided by senior colleagues.

You will contribute to the planning, set-up and day-to-day delivery of the longitudinal study, including preparation of study materials, coordination of data collection across four waves, and identifying opportunities to improve study procedures and participant retention. You will also select, follow and, where appropriate, adapt established quantitative and/or qualitative research methodologies to gather, analyse and present data, identifying suitable alternative approaches when methodological or practical challenges arise.

About You

You will hold a first undergraduate degree in psychology, health sciences, social sciences or another relevant discipline, together with relevant research experience. You will possess sufficient specialist knowledge of relevant research methods to contribute to an established research programme and exercise judgement in applying appropriate approaches. Experience of conducting research with adolescents aged approximately 12–18 years, with a focus on mental health and wellbeing is essential. Experience of recruiting and engaging research participants, with an understanding of research ethics, confidentiality and data protection, is also essential.

Experience of longitudinal research and/or repeated follow-up of research participants and of mental health research and/or research into young people's digital environments or experiences would be desirable.

The closing date for applications is 12:00 midday on 11 November 2026.