Research Associate

Aston University; Birmingham; Hybrid; GBP 42,000 - 47,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Training and development opportunities

30 days annual leave + 13 bank holiday

Employee discounts

Family-friendly policies

On-site gym and pool discounted staff

Job summary

Aston University in Birmingham invites applications for an experienced researcher to join the LADDERS trial team. The post is part of a multidisciplinary group including psychologists, psychiatrists, and trial units, with flexible hybrid and remote working options.

You will lead defined aspects of the trial, coordinate recruitment, perform eligibility assessments, and contribute to data analysis, governance, and dissemination.

Qualifications

• PhD or equivalent qualifications and substantial relevant research experience.
• Experience in mental health assessment or research involving children and young people with intellectual disabilities would be valuable.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate participant recruitment and assess eligibility per protocol.
• Conduct blinded outcome assessments and ensure data quality and governance.
• Contribute to data analysis, publications and dissemination.
• Support and supervise students and collaborate with researchers and clinical partners.

Skills

Research coordination

Data analysis

Academic publications

Supervision of students

Education

PhD in psychology/health/behavioural science

Job description

An excellent opportunity has arisen for an experienced and motivated researcher to join our multidisciplinary team of researchers, clinical psychologists and psychiatrists working on LADDERS, a £2.29 million national randomised controlled trial funded by the NIHR Health Technology Assessment (HTA) Programme. The trial is evaluating a parent-mediated anxiety intervention for children with moderate to severe intellectual disabilities and aims to improve access to evidence-based psychological support for children and families.

The successful applicant will be affiliated with the Aston Institute for Health & Neurodevelopment and work collaboratively with researchers at University College London (UCL), Leicester Clinical Trials Unit and NHS partners across the UK. Flexible hybrid and remote working arrangements are supported.

The researcher will take independent responsibility for defined aspects of the trial, including coordinating participant recruitment, conducting assessments of eligibility against protocol-defined clinical criteria and undertaking blinded outcome assessments. They will contribute to the methodological and scientific delivery of the research, ensuring high standards of data quality and research governance, and play an active role in data analysis, academic publications and dissemination. The role will also involve supporting and supervising students and collaborating with researchers and clinical partners across the UK.

We welcome applications from candidates with a PhD in psychology, health, behavioural science or a related discipline, or equivalent qualifications and substantial relevant research experience. Experience in mental health assessment or research involving children and young people with intellectual disabilities would be particularly valuable.

What we offer:

• Aston University is a dynamic and vibrant campus located within Birmingham city centre, which has excellent transport links via bus or train.
• Excellent training and development opportunities.
• A generous annual leave scheme with 30 days bookable leave and a further 13 days bank holiday and University Closure days.
• Everyday discounts to a number of activities and retailers
• Great family friendly policies
• On site gym and pool with discounted staff membership available
• Further information on our Benefits and Rewards can be found here

This role is likely to qualify for endorsement under the Endorsed Funder route of the Global Talent visa. This visa is for talented or promising individuals in academia or research in fields such as science, engineering, medicine, social sciences, or humanities.

See the Home Office guidance: https://www.gov.uk/global-talent

Key words: Phd, Psychology, mental health

£41,885 to £46,970 per annum (pro-rata) Grade: Grade 08