GLAD-NI Research Fellow

About the Role

We are seeking a highly motivated Postdoctoral Researcher in to join Professor Cherie Armours internationally recognised team at Queen’s University Belfast (QUB) on a 2.5-years appointment. This post will support the delivery of the Genetic Links to Anxiety and Depression – Mental Health Goals (GLAD-MHG) Study, one of the UK’s most ambitious precision psychiatry initiatives, hosted within the NIHR BioResource Centre Maudsley.

The GLAD-MHG Omics Cohort, builds on the existing NIHR BioResource GLAD Study (>38,000 participants). The new programme will recruit an additional 12,000 individuals with recurrent Major Depressive Disorder, including 2,500 with longitudinal biosampling. High-quality blood samples will be collected for whole-genome sequencing, epigenetics, and biomarker profiling, alongside detailed digital phenotyping (wearables, speech AI) and NHS medical record linkage. This is a four-nation partnership and this PDRA post will be based in Belfast.

This role will be based in the highly supportive research environment of the Stress, Trauma, and Related Conditions (STARC) research lab in the School of Psychology. The successful candidate based at QUB will be focused on the recruitment of NI based participants, the psychosocial survey management and data analyses, and the exploration of data-linkage across sites/Trusts. They will have formal mentoring and gain experience at the interface of academia, healthcare, and industry, contributing to discoveries that shape the future of our understanding of MDD and comorbidities.

About the Person

The successful candidate must have, and your application should clearly demonstrate that you meet the following essential criteria:

• Honours Degree in Psychology or related discipline. Hold or about to obtain a PhD in Psychology, Epidemiology, Statistics or related discipline.
• Significant recent relevant research experience.
• Experience of having worked with multidisciplinary teams (e.g., Medicine & Health Sciences) involved in research.
• Evidence of expertise in research techniques and analyses.
• Understanding of issues with data confidentiality/security/data sharing/data linkage.
• Project management experience preferably in an academic setting.
• Previous experience of presenting research nationally and/or internationally.
• A published peer reviewed publication record commensurate with career stage.

To be successful at shortlisting stage, please ensure you clearly evidence in your application how you meet the essential and, where applicable, desirable criteria listed in the Candidate Information.

Fixed-term contract (available for 30 months or until 31 March 2029 whichever is soonest). Fixed term contract posts are available for the stated period in the first instance but in particular circumstances may be renewed or made permanent subject to availability of funding.

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