Graduate Teaching Assistant (GTA) PhD Studentship - Health Psychology with a Focus on Cancer Survivorship

A fantastic opportunity to study for a 3-year funded doctorate whilst gaining valuable teaching experience.

About the Research Project

All postgraduate researchers (PGRs) are registered in the University’s Graduate School and housed in the faculty or department that is most appropriate for the project on which they are working. The GTA appointed to this project will be housed with the Department of Psychology. 

This Graduate Teaching Assistant (GTA) post will specifically contribute to our research in health psychology, with a focus on cancer survivorship. The successful applicant will undertake research to build on our existing programme of research testing the ‘Finding My Way’ online psychosocial intervention for cancer survivors. Originally developed in Australia, this has been adapted for the UK context and is currently being tested as part of a large-scale Randomised Controlled Trial. 

This specific project will apply a coaching and positive psychology perspective to cancer survivorship, and will test whether using Finding My Way can lead to increased benefit finding and post-traumatic growth following cancer treatment. The following research studies may form part of the work:

1. Systematic Literature Review. You will consult the existing literature on benefit finding and post-traumatic growth in cancer survivors to identify which intervention components are more likely to change these outcomes in cancer survivors. 
2. Measure adaptation. There is a lack of consensus about whether existing measures for benefit finding and post-traumatic growth are effective. Part of your work may explore whether adaptations to these are required, including potential psychometric validation, prior to further use. 
3. Intervention adaptation. Based on the findings of the literature review you may need to make small modifications to the content of Finding My Way. 
4. Intervention testing. Studies using Finding My Way to date have typically focussed on the reduction of psychological comorbidities as primary outcomes. Here, you will recruit a sample of cancer survivors and test whether engagement with the programme results in improved benefit finding and post-traumatic growth. 

This will be a primarily quantitative programme of work and is not suitable for a student looking for a qualitative PhD. Previous experience with online technologies is desirable, and confidence in using (or willingness to learn) advanced statistical approaches is essential. You will be working in collaboration with our colleagues in the College of Education, Psychology & Social Work (Discipline of Psychology) at Flinders University, Australia. 

This is an excellent opportunity for applicants to undertake an original programme of applied psychology research. We have excellent links with a range of local and national cancer treatment centres and charities, and existing links with local patient groups and dedicated research advisors with lived experience of cancer. This helps us to make sure that our research matters to people living with and beyond cancer, and has a high likelihood of impacting health and social care and support provided to this population. We expect the successful candidate to be passionate about interdisciplinary applied research. Alongside your research you will support teaching across a range of undergraduate psychology degrees, all of which are accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS). 

For enquiries about this project, please contact Professor Nick Hulbert-Williams (hulbertwn@edgehill.ac.uk) in advance of submitting your application. 

To apply for this research area, please scroll to the bottom of the page and click the ‘apply’ button. Contact srpshelpdesk@edgehill.ac.uk if you have difficulty accessing the form. 

About You

You will have a good honours degree in Psychology, whilst a Masters degree would also be an advantage. You should have a passion for pursuing original research in your subject area along with the desire to develop your teaching ability by supporting an experienced and dynamic undergraduate programme team. 

Highly motivated, resilient and with the determination to succeed, you will be committed to undertaking a PhD and will possess strong written and oral communication skills along with excellent organisational skills. 

Please note:

• If you already have a PhD in the research area you are applying for, your application will not normally be considered unless submitted for a suitably different research area. 
• Applicants who have applied more than two times previously should not normally apply again with the same research project. 

About the Graduate Teaching Assistant Role

Graduate Teaching Assistants hold a unique position in the University, being both registered postgraduate researchers (PGRs) and carrying out teaching/teaching support duties.

PGRs will be expected to:

• Complete a programme of researcher development sessions.
• Undertake tailored continuing researcher development.
• Complete a programme of training in teaching in Higher Education.
• Complete a PhD programme of research under the guidance of an appointed supervisory team.
• Undertake up to six hours teaching a week as directed by the Head of Department.
• Undertake up to nine hours per week of marking and preparation.
• Enhance the research culture of the department in which they are located, and of the University as a whole, by participating in development activities including publication and presenting at conferences.

Rewards & Benefits

We want you to feel happy when you come to work and proud when you go home. From the moment you join us you have the opportunity to enhance your skills. In addition to having the opportunity to enrol on our Postgraduate Certificate in Teaching in Higher Education (PGCTHE) to support your professional development, we offer a range of specialist development sessions and courses. In addition to the wide range of development opportunities available, the University has a strong focus on the wellbeing of its staff. You will have access to an award-winning staff health & wellbeing programme, benefit from discounted membership to our state-of-the-art sport and leisure facilities and so much more. This is just a taste of what we can offer you at Edge Hill University.

Each GTA studentship includes a ‘package’ with a total value just under £26,000 per annum for UK based applicants and over £34,000 for international applicants per annum. This includes:

• Overall payment of £17,668 per annum which is aligned with the UKRI rate. This is split into a salary of £12,168 per annum and £5,500 per annum tax free to contribute to the cost of accommodation
• Full waiver of research degree tuition fees worth approximately £4,700 per annum for UK PGRs and £14,000 per annum for international PGRs
• Full waiver of the Postgraduate Certificate in Teaching in Higher Education tuition fee (worth approximately £1740)
• Entitlement to sick pay, maternity, paternity, and shared parental leave, in accordance with University policies and procedures.

Applicant Guidance

• Applicant guidance: Applicant guidance can be found here. Please read this before applying.
• Project contact: Staff contacts for each research area can be found on the webpage lined under ‘about the research project’ above. You are strongly encouraged to speak with them about the area you are interested in, in order to identify a prospective supervisor in advance of applying. 
• Job description and person specification: You should read the job description and person specification carefully. 

How to Apply

At Edge Hill University we value the benefits a rich and diverse workforce brings to our community and therefore welcome applications from all sections of society.

Applicants must complete the online application form via www.edgehill.ac.uk/jobs and attach 5 separate documents in the following order:

1. A full academic curriculum vitae
2. Qualification certificates - please ensure these are translated into English
3. Scanned copy of your passport
4. IELTs, or equivalent, paperwork – click here for detailed guidance (international and EU applications only). 
   • It is very important you review the guidance and seek clarification regarding this paperwork before applying if you have any questions. 
   • Letters of recommendation, or requests to waive the language entry requirements, will not be accepted. 

Applications without the above paperwork will not be considered for shortlisting. 

To apply for this research area, please scroll to the bottom of the page and click the ‘apply’ button. Contact srpshelpdesk@edgehill.ac.uk if you have difficulty accessing the form. 

Interview Arrangements

Interviews are expected to be held in March 2023. The exact date will be confirmed in due course. Panel availability is limited. Shortlisted candidates will be offered one interview slot only.  

Project Information is available alongside the job description above. 

Key Contacts

Please think about the support you need and contact one of the areas directly. 

• Research project and supervision questions: see the details under ‘about the research project’ to speak with the research degree contact responsible for your area of interest
• Application form and employment questions: please contact srpshelpdesk@edgehill.ac.uk
• PhD registration and qualification questions: please contact graduateschooladmissions@edgehill.ac.uk

Further details: Job Description & Person Specification