Research Fellow in Mental Health Questionnaires, Nutrition and Data Analysis

We are seeking an experienced and intellectually ambitious Research Fellow / Postdoctoral Researcher to join the Social Brain and Development Lab in the School of Psychology at the University of Surrey.

This is an 18-month fixed-term post supporting Professor Kathrin Cohen Kadosh’s research on nutrition, the gut microbiome, cognition, development and mental health. The postholder will contribute to Surrey’s role in the Horizon Europe NUTRIMIND project, which investigates how diet, biological markers, the gut microbiome and mental health interact across the lifespan.

The role will focus on the intellectual integration of Surrey’s contribution to NUTRIMIND and related gut–brain research. This includes bringing together evidence and data across mental-health outcomes, dietary exposure, sleep, cognition, biological markers, microbiome-related measures and developmental context.

The postholder will work closely with Professor Cohen Kadosh, members of the Social Brain and Development Lab, junior research staff, and consortium partners across Europe.

The role will involve:

• contributing to the intellectual development of Surrey’s work on nutrition, mental health, cognition, development and gut–brain mechanisms;
• supporting conceptual integration across dietary exposure, mental-health outcomes, sleep, cognition, biological markers and microbiome-related measures;
• helping develop harmonisation approaches for mental-health, behavioural and developmental outcomes across studies;
• contributing to analysis planning and interpretation of findings;
• drafting and coordinating sections of project deliverables, manuscripts, conference abstracts and reports;
• working with consortium partners to align Surrey’s contribution with wider NUTRIMIND work packages;
• supporting and supervising junior research staff, including a part-time Research Assistant;
• contributing to the wider research culture and day-to-day activities of the Social Brain and Development Lab;
• helping ensure research outputs are scientifically rigorous, well documented and delivered on time.

This role would suit a postdoctoral researcher who can see the bigger picture, work across disciplines, and turn complex evidence into clear scientific arguments. It requires strong writing, conceptual and organisational skills, as well as an interest in nutrition, mental health, cognition, development, biological mechanisms and/or the gut–brain axis.

We are also open to considering applications from candidates interested in working part-time.

About you

We are looking for someone who has:

• A PhD, or equivalent research experience, in psychology, developmental science, neuroscience, nutrition, epidemiology, public health, psychiatry, cognitive science, biomedical science or a related discipline.
• Experience conducting research involving human participants, behavioural data, health data, dietary data, mental-health outcomes, biological markers or related measures.
• Strong ability to synthesise complex evidence and develop coherent scientific arguments.
• Experience contributing to peer-reviewed publications, reports, grant outputs or other scientific writing.
• Good quantitative research skills and confidence engaging with datasets, analysis plans and interpretation of statistical findings.
• Excellent organisational skills and ability to manage competing deadlines.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work collaboratively with researchers from different disciplinary backgrounds.
• Ability to support or supervise junior research staff.
• Understanding of research ethics, confidentiality, GDPR and responsible handling of sensitive health-related data.
• Clear interest in nutrition, mental health, cognition, development, women’s health, gut–brain research or related areas.

How to apply

Please submit your application through the University of Surrey recruitment portal, including:

• a CV;
• a covering statement explaining your fit for the role, relevant research experience, and interest in nutrition, mental health, development and gut–brain science;
• details of relevant publications, reports or other research outputs.

Advert information