Postdoctoral Research Assistant

Fixed Term: 33 months
Full Time: 35 hours per week

The Psychology Department is seeking a PDRA with an interest in neuropsychology, clinical psychology or clinical health research to investigate decision making and mental capacity to consent to assisted dying in people with motor neuron disease. This post is full time, fixed term and is available from September 2025. 

The Opportunity:

This opportunity is for a post-doctoral psychology researcher with a strong interest in clinical neuropsychological research, to join the cognition in MND research team, at the University of Edinburgh, and to be supervised by Professor Sharon Abrahams. The project “Assisted Dying in Motor Neuron Disease (MND): Implications of Neuropsychological Changes on Decision Making”, funded by the Motor Neuron Disease Association (MNDA).

The post holder will be responsible for all key aspects of the project including set up and coordination of the research, undertaking neuropsychology interviews of people with MND, data collection and analysis and dissemination. 

Your skills and attributes for success:

• Hold a PhD in a relevant field or a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology 
• Experience in all key aspects of clinical research including participant recruitment, data collection, analysis and write up. 
• Experience of assessment/interviewing people with neurological or mental health problems or physical disability. 
• Sensitivity in interviewing vulnerable people on a topic which some may find difficult to discuss.
• Current knowledge of the neuropsychology of neurodegenerative diseases 
• Experience writing manuscripts for publication.
• Excellent time management, problem solving, organisation and communication skills.

This job requires:

• Protection of Vulnerable Groups Scheme (PVG) Registration 

Advert information