Research Assistant in Psychology (Fixed Term)

The Child Health & Development Group within the Primary Care Unit at the University of Cambridge is seeking to appoint an enthusiastic and motivated research assistant to a new project that explores attachment and child mental health.

We are looking for someone with a desire to influence practice for children and families through research. You will be supporting project set-up and management, recruiting parents and children to take part in the research, and contributing to in-person data collection with families. Good communication and organisational skills and some previous experience of working with children or families would be beneficial for the role. 

You will join a friendly and supportive team, led by Professor Robbie Duschinsky. This team includes clinicians from various professions (e.g. clinical psychology, general practice, social work) and researchers from across disciplines (e.g. primary care research, epidemiology, sociology, psychology). The team has won several awards for the quality of mentorship and research culture.

You will be well supported in your professional development. You will have a personal mentor within the team. A bespoke training and development plan will be created with you, to support you to make the most of the opportunities available within the project, team and wider University. Opportunities can include attending lectures, receiving personalised training from colleagues, and attending external training/events. If you find that you have capacity and would like to gain experience developing other research skills, opportunities will be available to contribute to additional projects within the team. You will also be supported to think about and pursue opportunities relevant to your future career development. 

The post's responsibilities can be fulfilled largely through remote working in the first year (you must reside in the UK). In the second year you will be carrying out regular in-person data collection in South London and so will need to be based in or near London. Travel costs within the South-East of England (or up to a set amount per visit, in line with the project budget) will be reimbursed. The post will also involve some evening and weekend working. 

This role will require an enhanced DBS check and Research Passport.

Location - Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Strangeways Research Laboratory, East Forvie Building, University Forvie Site, Robinson Way, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge CB2 0SR (approx 2 miles south of city centre)

This is a full-time position or part time of no less than 80% FTE

The funding for this post is available until 31 October 2028.

For an informal discussion about the post, please contact Robbie Duschinsky via email phpc.hr@medschl.cam.ac.uk.

To apply online for this vacancy and to view further information about the role, please visit:

http://www.jobs.cam.ac.uk/job/56442.

Please ensure that you upload a covering letter and 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.

Closing Date: 23rd August 2026

Interview Date: 1st September 2026

Please quote reference SN50519 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.

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