Postdoctoral Research Assistant

Right to work: Applications from job seekers who require 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. 

Full-Time, Fixed-Term (48 months)

Applications are invited for a 4-year, full-time Postdoctoral Research Assistant position in the Department of Psychology at Royal Holloway, University of London. 

The successful candidate will join Dr. Hirotaka Imada to work on the project “Intergroup Pluralistic Ignorance and Intergroup Cooperation for Climate Change” funded by the Leverhulme Trust. Using a large-scale cross-cultural survey and behavioural economic game studies, this project aims to comprehensively understand the role of beliefs about what ingroup and outgroup members value, believe, and do about climate change in shaping one’s own pro-climate attitudes and behaviours. The successful candidate will take a leading role in carrying out research and disseminating research outputs via publications and conference presentations. 

Applicants should hold a PhD in psychology (or related field) and subject knowledge in areas related to the project (e.g., pro-climate beliefs and behaviours, pluralistic ignorance, intergenerational cooperation). Also, they should have outstanding quantitative skills, including extensive experience in the design of psychological experiments and data handling/statistical analysis. Experience of building and running online interactive behavioural studies is desirable, but not essential. Finally, applicants must be able to demonstrate commitment to open and transparent science. Please see the job description and person specification for more detail. 

In return we offer a highly competitive rewards and benefits package including:

• A supportive, lively research environment with international collaboration 
• No teaching duties 
• Generous annual leave entitlement 
• Training and career development support 
• Pension Scheme with generous employer contribution 
• Various schemes including Cycle to Work, Season Ticket Loans and help with the cost of Eyesight testing.
• Free parking

The successful applicant will work in Dr. Hirota Imada’s lab. The post is based in Egham, Surrey where the University is situated in a beautiful, leafy campus near to Windsor Great Park and within commuting distance from London. 

The post will start no later than May 2026 and applicants must have submitted their PhD by that point. Individuals who can start sooner may have an advantage.

For an informal discussion about the post, please contact Dr. Hirotaka Imada Hirotaka.Imada@rhul.ac.uk

For queries on the application process the Human Resources Department can be contacted by email at: recruitment@rhul.ac.uk

Please quote the reference: 0126-017

Closing Date:   23:59, 8 February 2026

Interview Date: To be confirmed

The university has adopted hybrid working for some roles therefore some remote working may be possible for this role.

Royal Holloway is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI), and encourages applications from all people regardless of age, disability, gender, marital status, parental status, race, religion or belief, sexual orientation, or trans status or history. More information on our structures and initiatives around EDI, including information on staff diversity networks, can be found on our Equality and Diversity Intranet page.

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