Job summary
We are looking for a Research Assistant to support the NIHR-funded Improving Social Recovery in Psychosis (ISRIP) trial, a definitive RCT with an embedded process evaluation. The trial aims to test the clinical and cost-effectiveness of Social Recovery Therapy (SRT), a psychological intervention supporting people with psychosis to engage in more structured activities that they find meaningful.
This post is a 0.7 WTE (26.25 hours per week) Research Assistant position, which is funded between March 2026 and 1 March 2029.
The post will be based atthe Old Town Hall, Peterborough, and the expectation is that the postholder will travel independently to participants homes and clinical team bases when required.
CPFT is one of the UK's top research active NHS Trusts, running high-quality, ground-breaking research into physical and mental health conditions and supporting innovation. We work to translate the latest discoveries into NHS services to improve care for people using our services and ensure they benefit from research.
For an informal chat about this post, please contact Dr Karl Taylor, Clinical Psychologist and Principal Investigator.
It is recommended that you apply for the post as soon as possible as we will close the advert early if there are a high number of applicants. Thank you.
Main duties of the job
You will be supporting the delivery of high quality NIHR-funded research. On a daily basis you will be responsible for all aspects of the research process including but not limited to: engaging with clinical teams, assessing participant suitability for the studies, screening and recruiting research participants, obtaining informed consent, performing study procedures, working with research teams and managing study data. A crucial aspect of the role is to provide a holistic and person-centred care approach to participants and their family supporters in a respectful, empowering way.
It is essential that you can independently plan and prioritise your workload to meet performance targets and deadlines. It is important that you have had experience of working in a clinical or research setting similar to the areas you will be working with in these studies. A high level of communication skills, both written and oral is essential as well as the ability to be competent in IT systems (e.g. Outlook, Word, clinical or other record systems relevant to the role).
About us
Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust is a health and social care organisation dedicated to providing high-quality care with compassion to improve the health and wellbeing of the people we care for, as well as supporting and empowering them to lead a fulfilling life.
Our clinical teams deliver many NHS services, not only via inpatient and primary care settings, but also within the community. These services include children's, adult and older people's mental health, forensic and specialist mental health, learning disabilities, primary care and liaison psychiatry, substance misuse, social care, research and development.
To achieve our goal, we look to recruit high-calibre candidates who share our vision and values. As an equal opportunities employer, we encourage applications from all sectors of the community, particularly from under-represented groups including people with long term conditions and members of our ethnic minority and LGBTQ+ communities.
Please be advised we reserve the right to close adverts earlier than the closing date should we receive sufficient applications.
Regrettably, we cannot offer sponsorship for all our job roles. If you apply for a role that we cannot offer sponsorship for, unfortunately, your application form will be rejected from the process.
For further information on CPFT, please visit our website at www.cpft.nhs.uk
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please refer to the attached job description and person specification for full details of responsibilities
- Attend meetings with clinical and research teams to facilitate the set-up of the new studies.
- To assist with the creation and maintenance of study specific site files.
- To arrange appointments to see participants either at home, in clinic or remotely.
- Undertake participant recruitment and informed consent procedures.
- Administer self-report and clinical interview type measures around symptoms and functioning.
- Identify and report research adverse events.
- To use electronic patient/participant files, study specific databases and on-line data entry systems in accordance with study protocols and Good Clinical Practice (GCP) standards,
- To attend team meetings and study-specific meetings to provide updates about study progress and any recruitment challenges.
- Undertake study specific training as required.
- To maintain a working knowledge of relevant mental health practice.
- To work at all times according to Good Clinical Practice, Research Governance and Trust Policies.
Please note for this role you will be required to travel independently around the county meeting strict time deadlines. You will need to hold a full UK driving licence* and have use of a vehicle. You cannot use public transport for this role as this is not a reliable form of transport and will not allow you to meet service needs. Please confirm in your application that you meet the specified criteria.
*DVLA have a number of reciprocal arrangements with overseas countries, for further information please visit the DVLA website
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please refer to the attached job description and person specification for full details of responsibilities
- Attend meetings with clinical and research teams to facilitate the set-up of the new studies.
- To assist with the creation and maintenance of study specific site files.
- To arrange appointments to see participants either at home, in clinic or remotely.
- Undertake participant recruitment and informed consent procedures.
- Administer self-report and clinical interview type measures around symptoms and functioning.
- Identify and report research adverse events.
- To use electronic patient/participant files, study specific databases and on-line data entry systems in accordance with study protocols and Good Clinical Practice (GCP) standards,
- To attend team meetings and study-specific meetings to provide updates about study progress and any recruitment challenges.
- Undertake study specific training as required.
- To maintain a working knowledge of relevant mental health practice.
- To work at all times according to Good Clinical Practice, Research Governance and Trust Policies.
Please note for this role you will be required to travel independently around the county meeting strict time deadlines. You will need to hold a full UK driving licence* and have use of a vehicle. You cannot use public transport for this role as this is not a reliable form of transport and will not allow you to meet service needs. Please confirm in your application that you meet the specified criteria.
*DVLA have a number of reciprocal arrangements with overseas countries, for further information please visit the DVLA website
Person Specification
Education/ Qualifications
Essential
- Upper second-class honours undergraduate degree or higher in psychology.
- Eligible for Graduate Basis for Chartership (GBC) with the British Psychological Society (BPS).
Desirable
- Further post-graduate training in relevant areas of professional psychology, mental health practice and/or research design and analysis.
Experience
Essential
- Previous experience as an Assistant Psychologist or Research Assistant.
- Experience of working with people experiencing mental health difficulties.
- Experience of research and/or service evaluation within mental health related area (i.e. academic or clinical setting).
Desirable
- Experience of working in an NHS mental health setting.
- Experience of report writing.
Knowledge & Skills
Essential
- Understanding of needs and difficulties of adults with mental health challenges.
- High level communication skills (written and verbal) including an ability to communicate and work in settings in which the atmosphere may be highly emotive.
- Competence in IT systems and data handling.
Other
Essential
- Ability to exercise appropriate levels of self-care and monitor own state, recognising when it is necessary to take active steps to maintain fitness to practice.
- Ability to travel independently around the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough area meeting required timescales. A full driving licence and access to a vehicle is essential.
Desirable
- Desire to explore a career in research and/or psychology.
Person Specification
Education/ Qualifications
Essential
- Upper second-class honours undergraduate degree or higher in psychology.
- Eligible for Graduate Basis for Chartership (GBC) with the British Psychological Society (BPS).
Desirable
- Further post-graduate training in relevant areas of professional psychology, mental health practice and/or research design and analysis.
Experience
Essential
- Previous experience as an Assistant Psychologist or Research Assistant.
- Experience of working with people experiencing mental health difficulties.
- Experience of research and/or service evaluation within mental health related area (i.e. academic or clinical setting).
Desirable
- Experience of working in an NHS mental health setting.
- Experience of report writing.
Knowledge & Skills
Essential
- Understanding of needs and difficulties of adults with mental health challenges.
- High level communication skills (written and verbal) including an ability to communicate and work in settings in which the atmosphere may be highly emotive.
- Competence in IT systems and data handling.
Other
Essential
- Ability to exercise appropriate levels of self-care and monitor own state, recognising when it is necessary to take active steps to maintain fitness to practice.
- Ability to travel independently around the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough area meeting required timescales. A full driving licence and access to a vehicle is essential.
Desirable
- Desire to explore a career in research and/or psychology.
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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Additional information
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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
