Job summary
We are looking for a motivated and diligent Research Assistant to support the NIHR-funded Improving Social Recovery in Psychosis (ISRIP) trial. The ISRIP trial is a definitive randomised controlled trial with an embedded process evaluation. The trial aims to test the clinical and cost-effectiveness of Social Recovery Therapy (SRT), a psychological intervention designed to support people who have experienced psychosis to engage in more structured activities that they find meaningful
Main duties of the job
The post starts in April 2026. The successful applicant will lead on recruitment and data collection for a trial. This will involve liaising with clinical teams, meeting potential participants, conducting clinical assessments (e.g. interviews, self-report measures) and managing data. The post-holder will receive clinical supervision and training from experienced clinical academics (e.g. Clinical Psychologists) working in the field of mental health research
About us
You will be supporting the delivery of high quality NIHR-funded research. On a daily basis you will be responsible for all aspects of the research process including but not limited to: engaging with clinical teams, assessing participant suitability for the studies, screening and recruiting research participants, obtaining informed consent, performing study procedures, working with research teams and managing study data. A crucial aspect of the role is to provide a holistic and person-centred care approach to participants and their family supporters in a respectful, empowering way.
It is essential that you can independently plan and prioritise your workload to meet performance targets and deadlines. It is important that you have had experience of working in a clinical or research setting similar to the areas you will be working with in these studies. A high level of communication skills, both written and oral is essential as well as the ability to be competent in IT systems (e.g. Outlook, Word, clinical or other record systems relevant to the role).
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please see the main job description and person specification for full details of this post in the attached documents
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please see the main job description and person specification for full details of this post in the attached documents
Person Specification
Education / Qualifications
Essential
- Degree in a health or social science
Desirable
- Current Good Clinical Practice certificate
- Master's degree in psychology or other relevant field
Knowledge
Essential
- Knowledge of mental health problems and their treatment through clinical experience and training
- Understanding of risk management procedures within research
- Understanding of confidentiality and data protection within the NHS and/or other healthcare setting/clinical organisation
- Knowledge of research methodologies
Desirable
- Knowledge of emotional disorders
- Knowledge of research ethics and obtaining informed consent.
- Knowledge of the principles of GCP
- Knowledge of research methodologies
Skills & Abilities
Essential
- Can demonstrate support for the values and beliefs of the mental health services those of the Trust.
- Able to participate in and contribute to multidisciplinary team discussions
- Computer skills including Database / Internet skills
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills
- Ability to manage challenging conversations with research participants
- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with colleagues and members of the Multidisciplinary Team
- IT Skills, including Microsoft Office
- Sensitivity to the diverse needs of those who have been referred to mental Health services.
- Strong organisational and planning skills.
Desirable
- Strong skills in administrating psychological assessments (interviews, questionnaires) with clinical populations
- Good skills with risk management
Work Related Circumstances
Essential
- Mobility to travel across sites.
- Punctual and flexible across hours of work when required.
- Use of a car or access to a means of mobility to travel across the Trust footprint in line with service needs
- Willing to carry out all duties and responsibilities of the post in accordance with the Trust's Equal Opportunities and Equality and Diversity policies
- Appointments to regulated and controlled activities require an enhanced DBS disclosure.
Experience
Essential
- Experience of working clinically in a mental health setting with service user contact
- Experience of conducting research
Desirable
- Experience of working in an adult mental health setting (or equivalent)
- Demonstrable administration experience
- Experience of relevant research.
- Prior experience working as a research assistant or equivalent
- Prior experience working on a clinical trial
Person Specification
Education / Qualifications
Essential
- Degree in a health or social science
Desirable
- Current Good Clinical Practice certificate
- Master's degree in psychology or other relevant field
Knowledge
Essential
- Knowledge of mental health problems and their treatment through clinical experience and training
- Understanding of risk management procedures within research
- Understanding of confidentiality and data protection within the NHS and/or other healthcare setting/clinical organisation
- Knowledge of research methodologies
Desirable
- Knowledge of emotional disorders
- Knowledge of research ethics and obtaining informed consent.
- Knowledge of the principles of GCP
- Knowledge of research methodologies
Skills & Abilities
Essential
- Can demonstrate support for the values and beliefs of the mental health services those of the Trust.
- Able to participate in and contribute to multidisciplinary team discussions
- Computer skills including Database / Internet skills
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills
- Ability to manage challenging conversations with research participants
- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with colleagues and members of the Multidisciplinary Team
- IT Skills, including Microsoft Office
- Sensitivity to the diverse needs of those who have been referred to mental Health services.
- Strong organisational and planning skills.
Desirable
- Strong skills in administrating psychological assessments (interviews, questionnaires) with clinical populations
- Good skills with risk management
Work Related Circumstances
Essential
- Mobility to travel across sites.
- Punctual and flexible across hours of work when required.
- Use of a car or access to a means of mobility to travel across the Trust footprint in line with service needs
- Willing to carry out all duties and responsibilities of the post in accordance with the Trust's Equal Opportunities and Equality and Diversity policies
- Appointments to regulated and controlled activities require an enhanced DBS disclosure.
Experience
Essential
- Experience of working clinically in a mental health setting with service user contact
- Experience of conducting research
Desirable
- Experience of working in an adult mental health setting (or equivalent)
- Demonstrable administration experience
- Experience of relevant research.
- Prior experience working as a research assistant or equivalent
- Prior experience working on a clinical trial
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).
