Research Fellow (Trial Manager) - REDEPLOYEES ONLY

City University London; City Of London; Hybrid; GBP 35,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading educational institution in London seeks a Research Fellow for the BOOST-3 trial, focusing on video feedback for positive parenting. Responsibilities include managing the trial, supervising staff, and conducting research. Candidates must have a degree in health/social science and a PhD (or nearing completion), along with relevant experience. The role requires strong communication skills and a willingness to travel. Competitive salary and development opportunities offered.

Benefits

Professional development opportunities

Flexible hours

Supportive work environment

Qualifications

• Experience delivering high-quality quantitative research.
• Familiarity with ethics and regulatory frameworks.
• Willingness to travel and work outside office hours.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate the trial across perinatal mental health and parent-infant services.
• Manage regulatory approvals and set up the study at sites.
• Supervise and train research assistants and site staff.

Skills

Experience working with people with mental health problems

Excellent interpersonal communication skills

Strong attention to detail

Good IT and computer proficiency

Education

First degree in health or social science

PhD or equivalent research experience

Job description

The post is an exciting opportunity for a Research Fellow to work on the BOOST‑3 trial, a randomised controlled trial evaluating the efficacy of a video feedback intervention for positive parenting for mothers and birthing persons with moderate to severe non‑psychotic perinatal mental health difficulties and their babies. The project is funded by the National Institute for Health Research (https://fundingawards.nihr.ac.uk/award/NIHR162467) and will commence in March 2026 or as soon as possible thereafter. The postholder will coordinate the trial across perinatal mental health and parent‑infant services in the UK, manage regulatory approvals, set up the study at sites, lead a team of research assistants, recruit service‑users, and collect outcome data. Office‑based work will be complemented by travel to clinical sites and participants’ homes, requiring flexible hours and occasional work outside office hours.

Responsibilities

• Day‑to‑day management of the trial across the United Kingdom.
• Ensure compliance with GCP, relevant legislation, and the General Data Protection Regulation.
• Monitor trial progress, identify and resolve site‑specific issues promptly.
• Supervise and train research assistants and site staff on trial procedures and protocols.
• Serve as the first point of contact for external enquiries.
• Build and maintain relationships with perinatal mental health and parent‑infant services.
• Recruit mothers and birthing persons across participating sites.
• Provide regular updates to the central project team.
• Screen participant flow and conduct baseline and follow‑up outcome assessments.
• Enter and manage data, maintain essential trial documentation including the Trial Master File.
• Collaborate with the lived experience researcher to support patient and public involvement.
• Analyse video recordings of parent‑infant interaction using standardised observational measures; analyse and interpret quantitative and qualitative data.
• Prepare reports for the ethics committee and funder, deliver presentations at workshops and conferences, and lead project meetings.
• Contribute to writing up findings for reporting purposes and publication.
• Work in accordance with professional guidelines and research governance requirements.
• Recruit additional study sites if necessary and support other projects run by the team.
• Participate in and contribute to ongoing professional development activities of the School of Health and Medical Sciences.

Qualifications and Skills

• First degree in health or social science (e.g. psychology, sociology, clinical studies) and a PhD (or close to completion) or equivalent research experience.
• Experience working with people with mental health problems, children, parents, and NHS staff.
• Experience delivering high‑quality quantitative research, familiarity with HRA, ethics and regulatory frameworks, and clinical trials.
• Knowledge of Good Clinical Practice principles.
• Strong attention to detail, accuracy, and organisational skills for a complex multisite study.
• Excellent interpersonal, oral and written communication skills, including presentation and writing.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively, self‑organise, prioritise workload, and meet strict deadlines.
• Good IT and computer proficiency.
• Willingness and ability to travel between sites in/around London and work outside office hours as needed.
• Desirable: Experience delivering high‑quality qualitative research, peer‑reviewed publications, and self‑development opportunities.

City St George’s, University of London is committed to promoting equality, diversity and inclusion in all its activities. We welcome applications regardless of age, caring responsibilities, disability, gender identity, marital status, nationality, pregnancy, race and ethnic origin, religion and belief, sex, sexual orientation and socio‑economic background. City St George’s operates a guaranteed interview scheme for disabled applicants.