Research Assistant RCT of Strengthening Families, Strengthening Communities: Safer Lives for Youth Offending and Violence

This is a full-time research post working on a clinical trial of Strengthening Families, Strengthening Communities: Safer Lives (SFSC:SL) parenting programme for the parents of young people at risk of offending or youth violence. The study is an efficacy Randomised Controlled Trial (RCT) being conducted in London and Manchester funded by the Youth Endowment Fund (YEF) and follows a successful feasibility study. The intervention has been developed and is being delivered by the Race Equality Foundation (REF). 

The post holder will work on a large Randomised Controlled Trial (RCT) assessing the efficacy of SFSC:SL for preventing young people becoming involved in offending and youth violence. The study is being conducted in five clusters across fifteen local authorities and will primarily recruit from Youth Justice Services.  You will work closely with our delivery partners, the REF, and with collaborators at University of Manchester and City St George’s, University of London.  

This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to the understanding of what works to support some of the most vulnerable young people in the UK and their families and reduce youth offending and violence. 

The post-holder will gain valuable skills and experience working with vulnerable young people and families and in helping to conduct a clinical research study in a complex setting. Therefore, the post would benefit those looking to undertake doctoral training in this area (e.g., DClinPsyc or PhD) or those hoping to go on to train as practitioners. The majority of the work involves conducting assessment visits. Therefore, the post-holder will need to work across late afternoons and some early evenings when families are most likely to be available for in-person meetings in their homes.  

You will be based at University of Greenwich in the Centre for Vulnerable Children and Families, which is part of the Institute of Lifecourse Development. The Institute uses interdisciplinary expertise to promote the lifelong wellbeing of vulnerable and marginalised people in the community. You will work under the supervision of Dr Sajid Humayun, who is an expert on youth antisocial behaviour and evidence-based interventions. You will also work with Dr Charlotte Lennox, Dr Lesley-Anne Carter (University of Manchester) and Dr Anita Mehay (City St George’s University of London).

You will have an MSc in Psychology, Criminology, healthcare or a related discipline (or extensive relevant experience), excellent research skills and be independently motivated.  

The post is full-time with an anticipated start date of June 2026. The position is fixed term with an initial duration of 10 months and with an anticipated extension until the end of September 2028 subject to a successful internal pilot study. Should you have any informal queries, please contact Dr Sajid Humayun (s.humayun@greenwich.ac.uk). 

Should you have any queries please contact the People Directorate Team on peopleoperationsadmin@greenwich.ac.uk 

The university is a brilliant place to work. We aim to become the top modern university in the UK by 2030 and our people are truly at the heart of what we want to achieve. We offer a great set of benefits including an excellent pension scheme, generous holiday entitlement, flexible working options including hybrid working and a genuine commitment to development.

We are looking for people who can help us achieve our Strategic Plan, through the values we expect for our whole university community, of being Inclusive, Collaborative and Impactful. 

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