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We offer a fantastic range of benefits including a highly competitive annual leave entitlement (with the ability to purchase more), a generous pensions scheme, flexible working opportunities, a commitment to your development and wellbeing, a wide range of retail discounts, and much more. Find out more about our benefits (opens in a new window) and join us to become part of something special.

Overview

Around one third of young people experience elevated suspicious thoughts and paranoid ideation. “Treating Unhelpful Suspicious Thoughts in teenagers (TRUST): A schools-based feasibility randomised controlled clinical trial for adolescents (16-18 years) with elevated paranoia” is an NIHR funded randomised controlled trial led by Dr Christopher Taylor (UoS) and Dr Jessica Kingston (RHUL) Joint Chief Investigators.

Under the supervision of the Joint CIs, we are seeking an enthusiastic research assistant to be the onsite research lead for a schools-based therapy trial. The role involves: on-boarding schools, recruiting schools and participants, screening and conducting detailed eligibility assessments with potential participants, consenting adolescent participants, compiling datasets, working with PPI consultants and the research team, drafting reports, working with the project team to write up the results. The post-holder will be responsible under supervision for running all research aspects of this schools-based trial hosted at Pennine Care NHS FT. The co-investigator team includes Professor Richard Bentall, Dr Victoria Pile, Katie Biggs, Dr Harry Hill, Esther Herbert and a strong patient public involvement team.  

The post is based in Greater Manchester, visiting secondary schools in the region regularly to undertake screening, assessments and follow ups. The role will involve travel/working at the Research and Innovation Department at Trust HQ, Pennine Care NHS FT (Ashton-Under-Lyne) and occasional travel to School of Psychology at The University of Sheffield and some home based/remote working. We are seeking a candidate who is local to the Greater Manchester area, as travelling expenses from Sheffield to Manchester on a daily basis will not be able to be paid (but travel from Manchester to Sheffield for meetings will be reimbursed). 

The successful applicant will gain high quality training within paranoia and clinical psychology research, and delivery of semi-structured psychosocial assessments, receive weekly supervision and work on a trial that will advance the field of adolescent paranoia research. The post would suit an individual interested in pursuing a career in clinical psychology or clinical research (and we have excellent track record of supporting colleagues to progress in these careers).

Main duties and responsibilities

Under the supervision of the PI, to be responsible for setting up and running the trial at Greater Manchester Secondary Schools. Specifically, this will include:

• Approach and develop relationships with and on-boarding schools, including skilled liaison with senior leadership teams within schools.
• Visiting school sites to establish procedures, set up recruitment, screen whole classes, manage consent processes
• Lead on communications about the trial, with potential participants, schools, PI and research team, and PPI consultants.
• Develop questionnaires on Qualtrics, scoring and following up with potential participants.
• Conduct detailed eligibility psychosocial assessments which will include (following training and under supervision of the PIs) conducting clinical and risk assessment and being responsible for determining eligibility of participants.
• Develop and maintain a reliable and permanent record of participant flow through the study and all research aspects of the trial, ensuring compliance with ethical and safeguarding policies
• Manage project data including collection of back up data and data entry in a timely manner.
• Develop an anonymous database to compile data through the trial.
• Store and organise data in line with GDPR and Ethics protocols and research governance.
• Conduct follow-up assessments with participants ensuring the trial keeps to time a
• Manage and support resources including transfer of data
• To contribute to the preparation and presentation of findings of research activity to colleagues and at scientific meetings.
• Results will be disseminated in scientific meetings. The post-holder may have an opportunity to present findings at scientific meetings.
• To contribute to the overall activities of the research team and the School as appropriate.
• The post-holder will be required to contribute to scientific discussion in laboratory meetings, advise students about planning of experiments, and offer advice on the analysis and interpretation of results.
• To contribute to the induction and direction of other research staff and students if so requested by the Principal Investigator.
• New staff and students that may join the laboratory in the future will need to be introduced to practicalities of using specific equipment and software for experiments.
• Carry out other duties, commensurate with the grade and remit of the post

Person Specification

Our diverse community of staff and students recognises the unique abilities, backgrounds, and beliefs of all. We foster a culture where everyone feels they belong and is respected. Even if your past experience doesn't match perfectly with this role's criteria, your contribution is valuable, and we encourage you to apply. Please ensure that you reference the application criteria in the application statement when you apply.

Essential criteria

• A good honours degree in a relevant subject or relevant experience (2:1 or above; or 2:2 plus strong performance at MSc) (assessed at: application/interview)
• Knowledge of Psychological Research Techniques
• Training in quantitative research methods
• Ability to communicate sometimes complex information to a range of scientific and non-scientific audiences
• Excellent organisational skills
• Excellent engagement and communication/interpersonal skills
• Computer literate in Microsoft Word, Excel, Powerpoint
• Demonstrate an interest and enthusiasm for supporting adolescent mental health and severe mental health experiences
• Knowledge and skills in using SPSS or other statistical software packages.
• Experience of interdisciplinary working

Desirable criteria (max 2)

• MSc in relevant subject (assessed at: application/interview)

·         Experience of working in schools or with young people or with At Risk Mental States (ARMS) or Psychosis (assessed at: application/interview)

Further Information

Grade: 6

Duration: 1st December 2026 or as soon as possible and for a period of 20 months

Line manager: Senior Lecturer

Direct reports: None

For informal enquiries about this job contact:
Dr Chris Taylor, Senior Lecturer, NIHR Fellow and Consultant Clinical Psychologist on chris.d.j.taylor@sheffield.ac.uk or on 0114 222 6533

Next steps in the recruitment process

It is anticipated that the selection process will take place on in December 2025. This will consist of a short presentation and interview. We plan to let candidates know if they have progressed to the selection stage on the week commencing 24 November 2025. If you need any support, equipment or adjustments to enable you to participate in any element of the recruitment process you can contact Dr Chris Taylor.

Our vision and strategic plan

We are the University of Sheffield. This is our vision: sheffield.ac.uk/vision (opens in new window).

What we offer

• A minimum of 38 days annual leave including bank holiday and closure days (pro rata) with the ability to purchase more.
• Flexible working opportunities, including hybrid working for some roles.
• Generous pension scheme.
• A wide range of discounts and rewards on shopping, eating out and travel.
• A variety of staff networks, providing opportunities for social interaction, peer support and personal development (for example, Race Equality, LGBT+, Women’s and Parent’s networks).
• Recognition Awards to reward staff who go above and beyond in their role.
• A range of generous family-friendly policies
• paid time off for parenting and caring emergencies
• support for those going through the menopause
• paid time off and support for fertility treatment
• and more

More details can be found on our benefits page: sheffield.ac.uk/jobs/benefits (opens in a new window).

We are a Disability Confident Employer. If you have a disability and meet the essential criteria for this job you will be invited to take part in the next stage of the selection process.

Criminal record

A enhanced/enhanced with barred lists Enhanced DBS check for working with children and young people/vulnerable people will be needed for this role. More details on the checks can be found on the Government website: gov.uk/criminal-record-checks-apply-role (opens in a new window).

Possession of a criminal record is not an automatic bar to employment at the University of Sheffield. We recognise the value of steady employment in the rehabilitation process and examine each case in its own right. More information can be found on our Information for candidates page:- sheffield.ac.uk/jobs/candidates (opens in a new window).

We are a research university with a global reputation for excellence. Our ideas and expertise change the world for the better, making a real difference to society. We know that when people come together with different views, approaches and insights it can lead to richer, more creative and innovative teaching and research and the highest levels of student experience. Our University Vision (www.sheffield.ac.uk/vision) outlines our commitment to building a diverse community of staff and students that recognises and values the abilities, backgrounds, beliefs and ways of living for everyone.