Research Associate MHCYP NPD linkage and ATTEND study mechanisms (Fixed Term)

Full-time, Working Monday to Friday, including Mondays and Tuesdays in the office

Limit of tenure applies : 30th September 2026

The Department of Psychiatry is looking for a committed and enthusiastic post-doctoral Research Associate to join the team on a fixed term basis to 30th September 2026. The applicant will support the linkage of the 2017 MHCYP survey to the National Pupil Database and lead analyses of the data in half the post while supporting the delivery of mechanism work package of the ATTEND study. They will be based in Cambridge but liaise with colleagues in the Universities of Bristol, Surrey, Exeter, Oxford, Nottingham and KCL. The work requires mixed methods knowledge and experience, with an emphasis on microphenomenology and qualitative methods for ATTEND, and quantitative analysis for MHCYP. We welcome applicants who would like to use this opportunity to develop further research proposals fellowship application or other grants from the work completed.

The Child and Adolescent Resilience and Mental Health Research group undertakes applied epidemiology, as well as intervention development and evaluation. The successful applicant will be at a relatively junior level but will have the opportunity to play an active part in shaping this research programme and supporting more junior staff. We are particularly interested in someone with experience of mixed methods research and work with children, young people in health care or education settings.

The methods applied by the team include secondary analysis of large epidemiological datasets, mixed qualitative and quantitative observational studies, economic evaluation systematic reviews and randomized controlled trials. The research is inherently translational and multi-disciplinary, and involves strong links with psychology, paediatrics, education, epidemiology, trial specialists, statisticians, health economics and basic scientists. Though we are looking for an applicant at a junior level, one who has only recently completed their PhD, we envisage that they will eventually become involved in all aspects of this work.

Applicants will have a PhD in Mental Health Services Research, Psychology, Neuroscience, Medical Sciences or equivalent or equivalent research degree, a strong track record of publication and knowledge of assessment and outcome measures in relation to children and young people's mental health. Experience of working with administrative data would be desirable but not essential.

The post will be appointed initially at the appropriate point on the University of Cambridge's research associate salary scale.

Informal enquiries may be directed to Tamsin Ford via ChARM@medschl.cam.ac.uk

To apply online for this vacancy and to view further information about the role, please click the 'Apply' button above. 

Please ensure that you upload a covering letter and a CV in the Upload section of the online application. The covering letter should outline how you match the criteria for the post and why you are applying for this role. If you upload any additional documents which have not been requested, we will not be able to consider these as part of your application.

Please include details of your referees, including email address and phone number, one of which must be your most recent line manager.

The closing date for applications is: 12th April 2026

The interview date for the role is:  22nd April 2026  

The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.

The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.

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