E-Risk Study Research Assistant

About the role:

We are looking for 4 motivated Research Assistants with excellent interviewing skills to support the current phase of data collection for a large ongoing longitudinal twin study. The Environmental Risk (E-Risk) Longitudinal Twin Study (see https://eriskstudy.com/) has been following a cohort of 2232 twin children born across England and Wales in the mid-1990s since they were 5 years old. They have been assessed six times during childhood and adolescence, and we are currently assessing them again at age 30. This updated dataset will be made available to researchers across the UK and worldwide to provide a unique resource for conducting research into mental health, adversity, and prosperity over the first three decades of life.

The post holders will play a crucial role in interviewing the twins during this phase of the E-Risk Study. Specifically, they will contact Study participants once they turn 30 to explain the Study, gain informed consent, and schedule interviews; conduct interviews with Study participants via online video calls to assess mental health and other aspects of the participants’ lives; ensure the security and confidentiality of the data they collect; plus rate assessments and provide extensive written notes of the discussions and their observations during the interviews. Extensive training will be provided on all aspects of the Study plus regular supervision and ongoing support from the Project Coordinators.

The postholders will be based remotely but will be required to come into the SGDP Centre, IoPPN Denmark Hill campus in London at least one day per month. The post holders will be required to work flexibly as interviews are likely to be conducted during evenings and weekends.

These are full-time posts (35 hours per week), and you will be offered an FTC until 28th February 2027.

About you:

Essential criteria

• Holds an undergraduate degree OR postgraduate qualification in an area relevant to this post (e.g., psychology, epidemiology, sociology, nursing, social work, or related disciplines) OR has no relevant qualifications but has substantial experience of collecting data via interviews for research projects.
• Outstanding interpersonal skills, including quickly developing rapport with individuals from a wide range of backgrounds, being robust, and ability to show empathy whilst maintaining professional boundaries.
• Experience of conducting online video interviews on sensitive topics with research participants.
• Ability to work autonomously and take responsibility for independent completion of tasks.
• Highly organised and able to use initiative to efficiently plan and execute tasks.
• Evidence of meticulous record keeping and/or coding of data and excellent attention to detail.
• Excellent problem-solving abilities and adaptable to unexpected situations.
• Highly flexible and able to regularly work the set hours during evenings and weekends as required to complete interviews with Study participants.

Desirable criteria

• Knowledgeable about how to appropriately handle confidential information and store data securely.
• Competent in the use of video conferencing technology (e.g., Microsoft Teams).
• Experience of working within a longitudinal cohort study.
• Knowledgeable about twins and/or twin studies.

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