Postdoctoral Researcher: Oxford Centre for Emerging Minds Research ‘All About Me (adolescent focus)’ and ‘Character Strengths in Family, Education and Community Systems’

Location: Department of Experimental Psychology, Life and Mind Building, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3EL

The University of Oxford is a stimulating work environment, which enjoys an international reputation as a world-class centre of excellence. Our research plays a key role in tackling many global challenges, from reducing our carbon emissions to developing vaccines during a pandemic.

The Department of Psychiatry is based on the Warneford Hospital site in Oxford – a friendly, welcoming place of work with an international reputation for excellence. The Department has a substantial research programme, with major funding from Medical Research Council (MRC), Wellcome Trust and National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) and provides highly rated medical training in psychiatry. The Head of Department is Professor Belinda Lennox.

The Oxford Centre for Emerging Minds Research is a newly funded research centre that aims to conduct world class research that contributes to a world where differences between people are understood and accepted, strengths are capitalised on, and mental health difficulties are prevented or addressed early.   

This is an exciting opportunity for a postdoctoral research assistant to join a research group led by Dr Jiedi Lei (Principal Investigator) working across two projects- Exploring Character Strengths in neurodivergent children and young people (ND CYP) and : The “All About Me” project. Exploring Character Strengths in neurodivergent children and young people (ND CYP) aims to improve understanding of strengths-based approaches for supporting neurodivergent children and young people across settings, while The “All About Me” project works with young people, families, and educators to develop a neurodiversity-affirming toolkit to explore character strengths, abilities, and potential across contexts

About the Role

The post is funded for 2 years. The post is based in the Department of Experimental Psychology, Life and Mind Building in Oxford.

You will be responsible for the day-to-day administration of the research project leading on data collection from young people participants using cognitive, behavioural, and clinical measures via lab-based assessments and home or group setting visits, as well as qualitative interviews, and from parent and practitioners using interviews and observations. You will act as a source of information and advice to other members of the group on methodologies or procedures. You will promote public involvement with the research project and contribute regularly to the contents of web pages and social media related to the research project and broader group so that they remain informative and up to date

About You

You will have or be close to the completion of a PhD/DPhil/DClin or other professional doctorate degree, in a relevant subject area. You will possess sufficient specialist knowledge in the discipline of neurodiversity to work within established research programmes. An experience in engaging in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) based research is desirable.

Diversity

Committed to equality and valuing diversity

Our active Psychiatry People and Culture teams  and initiatives including our values and behaviours framework,  work to make the Department of Psychiatry as supportive, welcoming and inclusive as possible.

Application Process

You will be required to upload a covering letter/supporting statement, CV and the details of two referees as part of your online application. Please see the University pages on the application process at https://www.jobs.ox.ac.uk/application-process

The closing date for applications is 24 February 2026.

Interviews will take place during week commencing 12 March 2026 and will be face to face/online where required

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