Research Assistant (Health Psychology)

The main purpose of this post is to support research on the new NHS pilot on population testing for BRCA gene carriers, and what behavioural or medical interventions people who receive positive BRCA gene test results would find acceptable. It will also entail supporting various other new and developing projects. The post will involve working with people in a healthcare setting as well as healthcare professionals.

The main duties will involve conduct and analysis of qualitative data from patients and healthcare professionals, writing up findings from these data, as well as obtaining PPIE input, updating ethical clearance, and conducting scoping literature reviews.

The successful applicant will be based in the Manchester Centre of Health Psychology http://research.bmh.manchester.ac.uk/healthpsychology and be part of a wider multidisciplinary team, working particularly with Prof David French and Prof Michelle Harvie, but will also involve working closely with other researchers on these and related projects.

The post is available until 31 July 2027 in the first instance, but with expectation that further posts will be available at the end of this period.

About You

We encourage applications from individuals with a wide range of backgrounds and experiences. You should demonstrate:

Essential Criteria

• MSc in health psychology or other health-services orientated discipline (or equivalent experience)
• Highly professional in dealings with all colleagues and participants
• Proven ability to use initiative to efficiently plan, optimise and progress project and communicate findings.
• Experience of qualitative data analysis to high standard
• Experience of conducting qualitative data collection

Desirable Criteria

• Experience of the NHS context
• Experience of working with patients
• Experience of working with healthcare professionals
• Experience of PPIE activities
• Good knowledge of cancer prevention/ early detection

We value transferable skills and real-world experience as much as formal qualifications.

Our benefits include:

Generous employer pension contribution

• Generous employer pension contribution
• Christmas closure across all departments outside of annual leave and bank holidays
• Purple Place employee discount platform

For more information, please see University of Manchester Benefits. You can also find information on our Flexible and Hybrid working here.

We are an open place of enquiry and challenge. We embrace and celebrate difference, diversity and debate, and we pride ourselves on being a place of education, learning and community where we are able, within the law, to question and test received wisdom, express new ideas and explore controversial or unpopular topics and opinions. Find out more from our Freedom of Speech Policy.

Enquiries about the role, shortlisting and interviews

Name: David French

Email Address: david.french@manchester.ac.uk

General enquiries and administrative support

recruitmentservices.people@manchester.ac.uk

Technical and job portal support

https://jobseekersupport.jobtrain.co.uk/support/home

This role is not eligible for Skilled Worker visa sponsorship. Applicants must demonstrate the right to work in the UK.

Applications close at midnight on the closing date.

Further particulars (with person specification) linked below.