Oxford Health NHS Trust

Research Assistant in learning Disability Services

The closing date is 21 April 2026

Job summary

We are looking for a Research Assistant to join us on a new research projectfunded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Research for Patient Benefit (RfPB) Programme: A co-produced mental imagery intervention to reduce anxiety in people with mild to moderate intellectual disabilities (Co-MAID): a feasibility study

The study is hosted by Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, in collaboration with the University of Birmingham .

This post exists to support the delivery and coordination of the Co-MAID feasibility trial -- an NIHR-funded study testing a mental imagery-based anxiety intervention for people with a learning disability -- enabling the organisation to determine whether this adapted intervention can be feasibly delivered across five NHS Trust sites, and so generate the evidence needed to inform a future full-scale randomised controlled trial.

This is a full time 21-month fixed term contract linked to external funding. You'll be based at the Slade House and working hours are Monday - Friday, 9-5pm. There is opportunity for hybrid working.

Main duties of the job

The main duties are to promote the study across the 5 NHS recruitment sites (Berkshire, Oxfordshire, Northamptonshire, Hampshire and Buckinghamshire). You will be responsible for recruiting and consenting participants, conducting clinical assessments and structured interviews with participants, and extracting information about other treatments and service use from the medical records. You'll work closely with the study's chief investigator, Principle Investigators across all research sites, our lived experience co-applicant and collaborators at University of Birmingham.

Specific tasks include:

  • Arrange, schedule and collect interview and questionnaire data from participants under the close supervision of the CI. Assessments willtake place in the patient's home or in clinic rooms.
  • To extract patient treatment and service use data from the electronic patient notes, and record these.
  • To contribute to consent, data collection and analysis of qualitative data from participants and therapists.
  • Contribute to the effective working of the study according to the protocol by entering data, maintaining databasesand by helping prepare anonymised data monitoring reports.

There will be opportunities to contribute to research papers, conference presentations, and team meetings, plus opportunities for other clinical experiences and career development activities.

About us

Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust provides physical, mental health and social care for people of all ages across Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Swindon, Wiltshire, Bath and North East Somerset.

Our services are delivered at community bases, hospitals and clinics, delivering care as close to home as possible.Our vision is that no matter who you are or where you are, you will tell us that you receive:"Outstanding care delivered by an outstanding team"

Our values are:"Caring, safe and excellent"

At Oxford Health we offer a wide range of benefits designed to support your career and wellbeing. These include:

  • Excellent opportunities for career progression
  • Access to tailored individual and Trust wide learning and development
  • 27 days annual leave, plus bank holidays, rising to 33 days with continuous service
  • NHS Discount across a wide range of shops, restaurants and retailers
  • Competitive pension scheme
  • Lease car scheme
  • Cycle to work scheme
  • Employee Assistance Programme
  • Mental Health First Aiders
  • Staff accommodation (please note waiting lists may apply)
  • Staff networking and support groups hosted by our Equality, Diversity & Inclusion team

Details

Date posted

07 April 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 5

Salary

£32,073 to £39,043 a year per annum

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

21 months

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

267-LD7887570

Job locations

Slade House

Oxford

OX3 7JH


Job description

Job responsibilities

We hope that the advert has given you a clear understanding of the skills we are seeking and the opportunity at hand. You will need to use the supporting statement element of your application form to demonstrate your suitability for this role and you should refer to the job description, person specification and the guidance notes attached to this role to help you tailor your application.

The essential and desirable criteria will be used to shortlist for interview and you should ensure that you refer to these within your application to increase your chances of being selected for interview.

We are aware that some candidates may choose to use AI tools to support their application. We kindly remind applicants that submissions should remain an honest and accurate representation of their experience and must take care to ensure the use of AI tools does not generate an application that does not accurately reflect their knowledge, skills and values.

Job description

Job responsibilities

We hope that the advert has given you a clear understanding of the skills we are seeking and the opportunity at hand. You will need to use the supporting statement element of your application form to demonstrate your suitability for this role and you should refer to the job description, person specification and the guidance notes attached to this role to help you tailor your application.

The essential and desirable criteria will be used to shortlist for interview and you should ensure that you refer to these within your application to increase your chances of being selected for interview.

We are aware that some candidates may choose to use AI tools to support their application. We kindly remind applicants that submissions should remain an honest and accurate representation of their experience and must take care to ensure the use of AI tools does not generate an application that does not accurately reflect their knowledge, skills and values.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • A degree (2:1) in psychology, health sciences or related discipline

Desirable

  • post graduate qualification

Experience

Essential

  • Experience of working in a research or clinical environment
  • Experience of conducting structured assessments or interviews using validated instruments
  • Experience of collecting research data and research interviewing

Knowledge

Essential

  • Understanding of research methodology, including randomised controlled trial design and feasibility study principles
  • Knowledge of ethical and regulatory requirements governing clinical research

Personal Qualities

Essential

  • Proven organisation and time management skills
  • Ability to be confident and flexible in working with service users and also with colleagues and clinicians
  • Strong communication and engagement skills
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • A degree (2:1) in psychology, health sciences or related discipline

Desirable

  • post graduate qualification

Experience

Essential

  • Experience of working in a research or clinical environment
  • Experience of conducting structured assessments or interviews using validated instruments
  • Experience of collecting research data and research interviewing

Knowledge

Essential

  • Understanding of research methodology, including randomised controlled trial design and feasibility study principles
  • Knowledge of ethical and regulatory requirements governing clinical research

Personal Qualities

Essential

  • Proven organisation and time management skills
  • Ability to be confident and flexible in working with service users and also with colleagues and clinicians
  • Strong communication and engagement skills

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Employer details

Employer name

Oxford Health NHS Trust

Address

Slade House

Oxford

OX3 7JH


Employer's website

https://www.oxfordhealth.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)


Employer details

Employer name

Oxford Health NHS Trust

Address

Slade House

Oxford

OX3 7JH


Employer's website

https://www.oxfordhealth.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Consultant Clinical Psychologist

Olivia Hewitt

olivia.hewitt@oxfordhealth.nhs.uk

07775540151

Details

Date posted

07 April 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 5

Salary

£32,073 to £39,043 a year per annum

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

21 months

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

267-LD7887570

Job locations

Slade House

Oxford

OX3 7JH


Supporting documents

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