Job summary
22 Month Fixed Term Contract.
We are seeking an enthusiastic Assistant Psychologist for a fixed-term appointment to support the delivery of an NIHR-funded clinical trial focused on adolescent mental health.
The study is evaluating the efficacy of a low-intensity, early-stage digital psychological intervention for adolescents at elevated long-term risk of depression.
The post holder will support the day-to-day running of the trial, including coordinating participant activities across multiple time points, supporting clinical and research staff, maintaining accurate and secure data records, and liaising with schools, NHS services, Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) partners, and other stakeholders. The post holder will play an important role in ensuring the smooth delivery of study.
This is an excellent opportunity for a psychology graduate with a strong interest in development, digital mental health interventions, and applied clinical research. The role offers hands-on experience within a clinical trials team of clinical psychologists, cognitive neuroscientists, educators, and specialists in child development and research methods. Regular supervision will be provided, and the post holder will gain valuable experience working on a large-scale NIHR-funded study, with opportunities to contribute to conference presentations and peer-reviewed publications.
Main duties of the job
To support an NIHR-funded clinical trial designed to evaluate the efficacy of a low-intensity, early-stage digital psychological intervention for adolescents at elevated risk of depression and anxiety. The post holder will also be involved in a range of trial-related activities and will assist the Principal Investigators and broader clinical-research team.
The post is available from 1 April 2026, is full-time (Monday to Friday), and is offered on a fixed-term basis for approximately 30 months, pending on the trial timelines.
About us
Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust is a health and social care organisation dedicated to providing high-quality care with compassion to improve the health and wellbeing of the people we care for, as well as supporting andempowering them to lead a fulfilling life.
Our clinical teams deliver many NHS services, not only via inpatient and primary care settings, but also within the community. These services include children's, adult and older people's mental health, forensic and specialist mental health, learning disabilities, primary care and liaison psychiatry, substance misuse, social care, research and development.
To achieve our goal, we look to recruit high-calibre candidates who share our vision and values. As an equal opportunities employer, we encourage applications from all sectors of the community, particularly from under-represented groups including people with long term conditions and members of our ethnic minority and LGBTQ+ communities.
Please be advised we reserve the right to close adverts earlier than the closing date should we receive sufficient applications.
Regrettably, we cannot offer sponsorship for all our job roles. If you apply for a role that we cannot offer sponsorship for, unfortunately, your application form will be rejected from the process.
For further information on CPFT, please visit our website at www.cpft.nhs.uk
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please refer to the attached job description and person specification for full details of responsibilities
1. Assist with participant communication, recruitment, engagement, and data collection by working with a network of schools and adolescent participants.2. Support the preparation and organisation of study materials, including assessment measures and participant-facing resources, and facilitate participant access to the digitally delivered psychological intervention.3. Maintain accurate, timely, and secure trial records, including participant contacts, consent documentation, assessment data, and study-related communications, under the supervision of the Clinical Trial Lead.4. Conduct study assessments at pre-intervention, post-intervention, and follow-up timepoints, including screening for eligibility, monitoring participant engagement and adherence, and collecting qualitative feedback on participant experiences of the intervention.5. Support Programme Leads with the logistical aspects of trial delivery, including assisting with the organisation of trial management meetings and related administrative tasks.6. Communicate effectively with members of the clinical trial team across NHS and university settings through team meetings, minute-taking, and written documentation, ensuring that relevant information is shared appropriately and in line with governance procedures.7. Contribute as an active member of the research team to the achievement of project goals, including assisting with data preparation and analysis, and contributing to conference presentations and peer-reviewed publications, as appropriate8. Attend and actively contribute to meetings with the clinical and research team.9. Liaise with schools, educators, researchers, and NHS clinicians to support participant identification, initial engagement, and the scheduling of trial procedures.10. Contribute to developing clear, accessible resources and communication materials for adolescents and families participating in the study.11. Support the accurate collection, organisation, and maintenance of study data across multiple datasets, in line with trial protocols and governance requirements.12. Develop knowledge, skills, and competencies related to adolescent depression, cognitive behavioural approaches, and applied clinical psychology and research practice through supervised involvement in the trial.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please refer to the attached job description and person specification for full details of responsibilities
1. Assist with participant communication, recruitment, engagement, and data collection by working with a network of schools and adolescent participants.2. Support the preparation and organisation of study materials, including assessment measures and participant-facing resources, and facilitate participant access to the digitally delivered psychological intervention.3. Maintain accurate, timely, and secure trial records, including participant contacts, consent documentation, assessment data, and study-related communications, under the supervision of the Clinical Trial Lead.4. Conduct study assessments at pre-intervention, post-intervention, and follow-up timepoints, including screening for eligibility, monitoring participant engagement and adherence, and collecting qualitative feedback on participant experiences of the intervention.5. Support Programme Leads with the logistical aspects of trial delivery, including assisting with the organisation of trial management meetings and related administrative tasks.6. Communicate effectively with members of the clinical trial team across NHS and university settings through team meetings, minute-taking, and written documentation, ensuring that relevant information is shared appropriately and in line with governance procedures.7. Contribute as an active member of the research team to the achievement of project goals, including assisting with data preparation and analysis, and contributing to conference presentations and peer-reviewed publications, as appropriate8. Attend and actively contribute to meetings with the clinical and research team.9. Liaise with schools, educators, researchers, and NHS clinicians to support participant identification, initial engagement, and the scheduling of trial procedures.10. Contribute to developing clear, accessible resources and communication materials for adolescents and families participating in the study.11. Support the accurate collection, organisation, and maintenance of study data across multiple datasets, in line with trial protocols and governance requirements.12. Develop knowledge, skills, and competencies related to adolescent depression, cognitive behavioural approaches, and applied clinical psychology and research practice through supervised involvement in the trial.
Person Specification
Education / Qualifications
Essential
- An upper second-class honours degree or higher in psychology
- Entitlement to graduate membership of the British Psychological Society
Desirable
- Further postgraduate training in relevant areas such as clinical psychology, adolescence and development, digital mental health, or research
Experience
Essential
- Research experience (e.g. undergraduate project, assistant roles, or academic volunteering)
Desirable
- Experience working with individuals with mental health difficulties
- Experience working in clinical environments (e.g., NHS, CAMHS, or community mental health settings)
- Experience supporting families or children in distress
- Experience administering or scoring standardised clinical measures or structured interviews (e.g., for PTSD)
Skills & Abilities
Essential
- High level communication skills (written and verbal) including an ability to communicate and work in settings in which the atmosphere may be highly emotive or involve distressed individuals
- Good oral and written skills to provide trial participants with the relevant information in a sensitive and developmentally appropriate manner
- Strong organisational skills and ability to manage competing demands while maintaining attention to detail
- An ability to apply existing psychological knowledge to a mental health context
Desirable
- High standard of written communication, including experience preparing clinical or research reports
Knowledge & Understanding
Essential
- An ability to interact effectively with staff from a range of disciplines and backgrounds
- An ability to build rapport with families, including those with young children and/or experiencing mental health difficulties
- Ability to work independently, reliably and consistently with work reviewed and managed at regular intervals
Desirable
- An interest in working with young people, schools and digital mental health solutions
Other
Essential
- Ability to accept and use supervision appropriately and effectively
- Positive approach to working with participants of all ages, including young children and families
Desirable
- A desire to pursue a career as a clinician-scientist with further training in Clinical, Educational, or Counselling Psychology
Person Specification
Education / Qualifications
Essential
- An upper second-class honours degree or higher in psychology
- Entitlement to graduate membership of the British Psychological Society
Desirable
- Further postgraduate training in relevant areas such as clinical psychology, adolescence and development, digital mental health, or research
Experience
Essential
- Research experience (e.g. undergraduate project, assistant roles, or academic volunteering)
Desirable
- Experience working with individuals with mental health difficulties
- Experience working in clinical environments (e.g., NHS, CAMHS, or community mental health settings)
- Experience supporting families or children in distress
- Experience administering or scoring standardised clinical measures or structured interviews (e.g., for PTSD)
Skills & Abilities
Essential
- High level communication skills (written and verbal) including an ability to communicate and work in settings in which the atmosphere may be highly emotive or involve distressed individuals
- Good oral and written skills to provide trial participants with the relevant information in a sensitive and developmentally appropriate manner
- Strong organisational skills and ability to manage competing demands while maintaining attention to detail
- An ability to apply existing psychological knowledge to a mental health context
Desirable
- High standard of written communication, including experience preparing clinical or research reports
Knowledge & Understanding
Essential
- An ability to interact effectively with staff from a range of disciplines and backgrounds
- An ability to build rapport with families, including those with young children and/or experiencing mental health difficulties
- Ability to work independently, reliably and consistently with work reviewed and managed at regular intervals
Desirable
- An interest in working with young people, schools and digital mental health solutions
Other
Essential
- Ability to accept and use supervision appropriately and effectively
- Positive approach to working with participants of all ages, including young children and families
Desirable
- A desire to pursue a career as a clinician-scientist with further training in Clinical, Educational, or Counselling 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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
