Oxford Health NHS Trust

Assistant Psychologist - Clinical Research - Sleeping Better

The closing date is 18 August 2025

Job summary

We are recruiting for an Assistant Psychologist to join us in supporting specialist psychological therapy for young people at ultra-high risk of psychosis.

You'll join a centre of excellence in the development and delivery of psychological interventions for psychosis: the Oxford Cognitive Approaches to Psychosis clinical research group. It is a thriving and supportive clinical research group, based in the University and Oxford Health, that aims to carry out work to the highest standards for patients.

You'll deliver specialist psychological therapy as part of the Sleeping Better project - a large multi-site randomised controlled trial testing the team's 12-week treatment for sleep and circadian rhythm difficulties. You'll be working clinically across a number of NHS trusts - as part of a specialist remote clinic treating sleep and circadian problems in young people at risk of psychosis, and support the recruitment of participants to the trial.

You'll be part of the Oxford Cognitive Approaches to Psychosis (O-CAP) clinical research group based in the Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford. We are a large clinical research team (40 people) working to understand why mental health problems happen and how they can be best treated psychologically. It is a thriving and supportive clinical research group that aims to carry out work to the highest standards for patients.

Main duties of the job

  • To deliver the Sleeping Better intervention in line with the treatment manuals and study protocols, under the supervision of a clinical psychologist/psychological therapist, as part of the Sleeping Better trial.
  • To establish a trusting and supportive relationship with those taking part in the Sleeping Better therapy. High levels of engagement with participants will be expected from the post-holder.
  • To contribute to the screening and recruitment of patients with psychosis and young people at ultra-high risk of psychosis. This will involve speaking to referrers regularly, attending clinical team meetings, visiting community mental health teams and hospital wards. There are monthly recruitment targets.
  • To attend and contribute to study fidelity rating meetings, supervision, and regular training sessions with other study staff members.
  • To produce brief clinical reports based on the treatment delivery as part of the trial.
  • Therapy will primarily be delivered remotely, though there may be times when travel is required which would be facilitated by having valid driving licence, and access to own or other independent means of transport (we also use a local car share scheme).

Please refer to the job description attached for a comprehensive list of duties.

About us

Oxford Health is a great place to work and to be able to showcase the best of yourself when making an application please read the "candidate guide to making an application" and ensure your supporting statement is tailored to the role you are applying for and addresses any essential criteria.

As a Trust we provide physical, mental health and social care for people of all ages across Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Swindon, Wiltshire, Bath and Northeast Somerset. Our services are delivered at community bases, hospitals, clinics and people's homes, delivering care as close to home as possible. Our vision is that no matter who you are or where you are, you will tell us that you receive:"Outstanding care delivered by an outstanding team"

Our values are:"Caring, safe and excellent"

At Oxford Health we offer a wide range of benefits designed to support your career and wellbeing. These include:

  • Excellent opportunities for career progression
  • Access to tailored individual and Trust wide learning and development
  • 27 days annual leave, plus bank holidays, rising to 33 days with continuous service
  • NHS Discount across a wide range of shops, restaurants and retailers
  • Competitive pension scheme
  • Lease car scheme
  • Cycle to work scheme
  • Employee Assistance Programme
  • Mental Health First Aiders
  • Staff accommodation (please note waiting lists may apply)
  • Staff networking and support groups hosted by our Equality, Diversity & Inclusion team

Details

Date posted

04 August 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 5

Salary

£31,049 to £37,796 a year per annum | pro rata

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

12 months

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

267-CS7371044

Job locations

New Radcliffe House

Oxford

OX2 6GG


Job description

Job responsibilities

The primary base will be in the Oxford Cognitive Approaches to Psychosis (O-CAP) team in the Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford. Although based at Oxford and delivering therapy primarily remotely, you are likely to travel to collaborating NHS trusts and project sites.

Interested applicants will find the type of work described in these two publications:

Waite, F., ernis, E., Kabir, T., Iredale, E., Johns, L., Maughan, D., ... & Freeman, D. (2023). A targeted psychological treatment for sleep problems in young people at ultra-high risk of psychosis in England (SleepWell): a parallel group, single-blind, randomised controlled feasibility trial.The Lancet Psychiatry,10(9), 706-718.

Freeman, D., & Waite, F. (2025). Sleep and circadian difficulties in schizophrenia: presentations, understanding, and treatment. Psychological Medicine, 55, e47.

Job description

Job responsibilities

The primary base will be in the Oxford Cognitive Approaches to Psychosis (O-CAP) team in the Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford. Although based at Oxford and delivering therapy primarily remotely, you are likely to travel to collaborating NHS trusts and project sites.

Interested applicants will find the type of work described in these two publications:

Waite, F., ernis, E., Kabir, T., Iredale, E., Johns, L., Maughan, D., ... & Freeman, D. (2023). A targeted psychological treatment for sleep problems in young people at ultra-high risk of psychosis in England (SleepWell): a parallel group, single-blind, randomised controlled feasibility trial.The Lancet Psychiatry,10(9), 706-718.

Freeman, D., & Waite, F. (2025). Sleep and circadian difficulties in schizophrenia: presentations, understanding, and treatment. Psychological Medicine, 55, e47.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Degree in Psychology 2.1 or above

Experience

Essential

  • Experience of psychological research

Desirable

  • Experience of working within NHS mental health clinical teams
  • Experience working with patients with psychosis or young people at ultra-high-risk of psychosis
  • Experience of working within the guidelines of the Data Protection Act and an understand of the code of ethics and confidentiality in research

Knowledge & Skills

Essential

  • Ability to engage young people and patients having experiences such as paranoia, hearing voices, anxiety and depression
  • Interest and knowledge of psychosis

Desirable

  • Knowledge of clinical trials methodology and experimental psychology.
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Degree in Psychology 2.1 or above

Experience

Essential

  • Experience of psychological research

Desirable

  • Experience of working within NHS mental health clinical teams
  • Experience working with patients with psychosis or young people at ultra-high-risk of psychosis
  • Experience of working within the guidelines of the Data Protection Act and an understand of the code of ethics and confidentiality in research

Knowledge & Skills

Essential

  • Ability to engage young people and patients having experiences such as paranoia, hearing voices, anxiety and depression
  • Interest and knowledge of psychosis

Desirable

  • Knowledge of clinical trials methodology and experimental psychology.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Additional information

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details

Employer name

Oxford Health NHS Trust

Address

New Radcliffe House

Oxford

OX2 6GG


Employer's website

https://www.oxfordhealth.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)


Employer details

Employer name

Oxford Health NHS Trust

Address

New Radcliffe House

Oxford

OX2 6GG


Employer's website

https://www.oxfordhealth.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Consultant Clinical Psychologist

Dr Felicity Waite

felicity.waite@psy.ox.ac.uk

01865618192

Details

Date posted

04 August 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 5

Salary

£31,049 to £37,796 a year per annum | pro rata

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

12 months

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

267-CS7371044

Job locations

New Radcliffe House

Oxford

OX2 6GG


Supporting documents

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