Research Assistant - Centralised National Virtual Clinic

FgenderThe 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 Experimental Psychology is located on South Parks Road at the new purpose-built Life and Mind Building, a multidisciplinary research and teaching facility that opened in the summer of 2025.

The Oxford Cognitive Approaches to Psychosis (O-CAP) clinical psychology research group develops, tests, and implements new theory-driven psychological treatments for patients with psychosis. We are seeking enthusiastic and highly organised research assistants to help conduct high-quality clinical trials across four projects.

Reporting to Prof Daniel Freeman and Assoc Prof Felicity Waite, the post-holder will work in our new national centralised clinic. The clinic will recruit patients across NHS mental health trusts across the UK to take part in two of our trials: (Feeling Safer (ISRCTN93974770) and Sleeping Better (ISRCTN71800376). The post is to support the liaison with clinical teams and NHS R&D offices across the UK, recruiting patients, and carrying out the trial assessments. The key tasks will be seeking referrals from clinical teams and Research Delivery Networks, conducting eligibility checks, and completing trial assessments of patients.

The post will provide excellent experience of clinically relevant research and would suit a person interested in going on to either clinical psychology training or further research. Experience will be gained of engaging and assessing patients diagnosed with psychosis or at ultra-high risk of psychosis, NHS services, clinical trials methodology, and clinical psychology research. You would join a large clinical psychology research group comprising clinical psychologists, other research assistants, psychology assistants, project and trial managers, and computer scientists.

The post is fixed-term and funded for 12 months in the first instance, starting from October 2026.

With a psychology degree (2:1 or above), you will have an interest in the psychological understanding and treatment of psychosis. Excellent engagement and organisational skills will be needed to work with clinical teams and NHS patients. This post will be based in the new Life and Mind Building in Oxford.

Applications for this vacancy are to be made online. You will be required to upload a supporting statement detailing how you meet the selection criteria, your CV, and the contact details of two referees as part of your application.

In your application, please answer the following 2 questions (200 words max):

1. Why do you wish to work on clinical trials for people with psychosis?
2. What psychological research in mental health have you found inspiring?

For further details please refer to the “How to apply” section of the job description.

The closing date for applications is midday on Tuesday 8th September and only applications received by this date will be considered.

The University of Oxford is committed to equal opportunity, and to being an inclusive institution where everyone belongs and is supported to succeed. We recognise how the diversity of our community enriches our ability to deliver on our academic mission. We welcome applications from individuals from all backgrounds, including those under-represented within higher education. No applicant or members of staff shall be unlawfully discriminated against on the basis of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation.

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