Research Associate (Health Psychology and Behavioural Science)

The School of Psychology is seeking a Postdoctoral Research Associate to join the team on a fixed-term contract.

About the School
The School of Psychology is a vibrant, research-active community with expertise spanning a wide range of psychological disciplines. We are leaders in innovative, evidence-based research that delivers real-world impact across four key areas:

• Developing: Investigating psychological mechanisms underlying child and adolescent mental health.
• Performing: Understanding adaptation to complex and high-demand environments.
• Ageing: Exploring cognition and mobility across the life span.
• Changing: Designing interventions that promote health and support behaviour change.

About the Role
We are offering an exciting opportunity for a Postdoctoral Research Associate (PDRA) to join the School of Psychology in a dynamic and varied role, split evenly across two complementary areas. This post provides an excellent platform to enhance your research career and academic profile.

You will spend 50% of your time contributing to a major NIHR-funded project aimed at improving parental engagement with local family-support services. Working under the guidance of Professor Maddy Arden and collaborating with an expert interdisciplinary team, you will help refine and evaluate a behavioural intervention. This will involve working with local authority staff and community stakeholders and delivering a mixed-methods process evaluation to understand intervention delivery, reception, and optimisation for real-world use.

The remaining 50% of your time will be dedicated to developing high-impact research in health psychology and behavioural science. This includes contributing to future research programme design, supporting the preparation of competitive funding bids, delivering consultancy projects, and producing high-quality academic publications. Topics may include habit formation and disruption, as well as psychological mechanisms and interventions supporting long-term behaviour change.

You'll be part of a dynamic and growing team committed to creating positive change through health psychology and behavioural science. The NIHR project offers the opportunity to collaborate with leading researchers from Sheffield Hallam University, Queen Mary University of London, and the University of Sheffield.

This role offers extensive opportunities for professional development and experience across multiple research projects—ideal for enhancing your CV and progressing your academic career.

Key Skills and Experiences
Applicants should hold a PhD in health psychology, behavioural science, or a related discipline (a master’s in health psychology is also desirable). Candidates must demonstrate strong skills in both quantitative and qualitative research methods and analysis.

To learn more about the role and essential criteria, please refer to the Job Description (available on the university's website, accessed by the 'Apply' button).

Application Process
To apply, please submit a CV and a covering letter outlining your suitability via the application portal.

• Your cover letter should address the job requirements, highlighting how you meet them, or where you may need training or support.
• For informal enquiries about the role, please contact Professor Maddy Arden: m.arden@mmu.ac.uk.

Assessment Process

• Interviews for shortlisted candidates will be held during the week commencing 1st September 2025.
• Shortlisted applicants will be asked to complete an assessment task involving data analysis and a brief written summary of findings, followed by a panel interview.

The closing date for applications is 18th August 2025.
Interviews will be scheduled shortly after the closing date.

We believe in working together, sharing knowledge and valuing everyone's contributions. Develop your skills, further your knowledge and be part of a team who are transforming lives, every single day!

Manchester Metropolitan University fosters an inclusive culture of belonging that promotes equity and celebrates diversity. We value a diverse workforce for the innovation and diversity of thought it brings and welcome applications from all local and international communities, including Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic backgrounds, disabled people, and LGBTQ+ individuals.

We support a range of flexible working arrangements, including hybrid and tailored schedules, which can be discussed with your line manager. If you require reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process or in your role, please let us know so we can provide appropriate support.

Our commitment to inclusivity includes mentoring programmes, accessibility resources, and professional development opportunities to empower and support underrepresented groups.

Manchester Met is a Disability Confident Leader and, under this scheme, aims to offer an interview to disabled people who apply for the role and meet the essential criteria as listed in the attached Job Description for that vacancy.

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