Research Associate

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Research Associate
Division of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences
School of Medicine
College of Biomedical and Life Sciences

We are looking for a Research Associate to join the Wolfson Centre for Young People's Mental Health in the Division of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences. This is an exciting opportunity to work as a Research Associate on a Medical Research Council funded project: How and why does ADHD lead to depression in young people?
In this role, you will: 

• Conduct research investigating why young people with ADHD are at increased risk of developing depression, using longitudinal data analyses in large population-based cohorts.  
• Investigate cognitive and clinical mechanisms and interpersonal factors that may contribute to the link between ADHD and depression. 
• Examine the relative contributions of genes and environment to the link between ADHD and depression using twin and other types of genetic analyses. 
• Collaborate with ADHD and mental health charities and young people with lived experience to coproduce and disseminate research. 

We’d like to hear from you if you: 

• Have a PhD (or are nearing completion/submission) in developmental psychopathology, child and adolescent mental health, ADHD, epidemiology or closely related area.
• Are motivated to undertake research with potential to improve the lives of young people with ADHD. 
• Have experience in statistical analyses using large data sets (e.g. structural equation modelling, longitudinal analyses, mediation analyses, twin analyses, missing data analyses).

This post is based at the Hadyn Ellis Building, Cathays campus. 

The majority of roles at Cardiff University are currently operating under “blended working” arrangements, with staff having the flexibility to work partly from home and partly from the University campus depending on specific business requirements. Discussions around these arrangements can take place after the successful candidate has been appointed.

Cardiff University offers many excellent benefits, including 45 days annual leave (incl bank holidays), local pension scheme, a cycle to work scheme and other travel initiatives, annual increments within the pay scale, and more. It is an exciting and vibrant place to work, with many different challenges and is a proud Living Wage supporter.

How we will support you in performing in this role – 

There are some things that you must have before you can start this role (see ‘Essential Criteria’), but other things can be developed either through training, or just by general on-the-job experience.  We want to support and develop you once you have started in the role using a combination of the following to get the best out of you:

1.    Regular one-to-ones with your manager
2.    An experienced and supportive team around you
3.    Supporting you through job-relevant training and development that you may require
4.    A mentoring scheme

For informal enquiries please contact Dr Lucy Riglin by emailing [email protected]

This post is full-time (35 hours per week), available from 1st October 2023 and is fixed term until 24th June 2026.

Salary: £39,347 - £44,263 per annum (Grade 6).  Appointments to roles at Cardiff University are usually made at bottom of scale unless in exceptional circumstances.

Date advert posted: Wednesday, 3 January 2024

Closing date: Wednesday, 31 January 2024

Please be aware that Cardiff University reserves the right to close this vacancy early should sufficient applications be received.

Cardiff University is committed to supporting and promoting equality and diversity and to creating an inclusive working environment. We believe this can be achieved through attracting, developing, and retaining a diverse range of staff from many different backgrounds. We therefore welcome applicants from all sections of the community regardless of sex, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, trans identity, relationship status, religion or belief, caring responsibilities, or age.  In supporting our employees to achieve a balance between their work and their personal lives, we will also consider proposals for flexible working or job share arrangements.

Cardiff University is a signatory to the San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA), which means that in hiring and promotion decisions we will evaluate applicants on the quality of their research, not publication metrics or the identity of the journal in which the research is published. More information is available at:  Responsible research assessment - Research - Cardiff University

Job Description

Job Purpose

To conduct research on how and why ADHD leads to depression in young people, using large population-based cohorts. To contribute to the overall research performance of the School and University, carrying out research leading to the publishing of work in high-quality journals. To pursue excellence in research and to inspire others to do the same

Duties and Responsibilities

Key Duties

Research  

• To conduct research investigating why young people with ADHD are at increased risk of developing depression, using longitudinal data analyses in large population-based cohorts.  
• To investigate potential cognitive and clinical mechanisms and interpersonal factors that may contribute to the link between ADHD and depression. 
• To examine the relative contributions of genes and environment to the link between ADHD and depression using twin and other types of genetic analyses. 
• To collaborate with ADHD and mental health charities and young people with lived experience to coproduce and disseminate research. 
• To contribute to the overall research performance of the School and University by the production of measurable outputs including bidding for funding, publishing in national academic journals and conferences, and the recruitment and supervision of postgraduate research students.   
• To develop research objectives and proposals for own or joint research including research funding proposals  
• To attend and or present at conferences/seminars at a local and national level as required  
• To undertake administrative tasks associated with the research project, including the planning and organisation of the project and the implementation of procedures required to ensure accurate and timely reporting 
• To prepare research ethics and research governance applications as appropriate 
• To review and synthesise existing research literature within the field 
• To participate in School research activities.  
• To build and create networks both internally and externally to the university, to influence decisions,   explore future research requirements, and share research ideas for the benefit of research projects 

• To visit the University of Bristol MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit and the Social, Genetic & Developmental Psychiatry Centre at King’s College London to facilitate collaboration. 
• To engage effectively with industrial, commercial and public sector organisations, professional institutions, other academic institutions etc., regionally and nationally to raise awareness of the School’s profile, to cultivate strategically valuable alliances, and to pursue opportunities for collaboration across a range of activities. These activities are expected to contribute to the School and the enhancement of its regional and national profile. 
• To undergo personal and professional development that is appropriate to and which will enhance performance. 
• To participate in School administration and activities to promote the School and its work to the wider University and the outside world 
• Any other duties not included above, but consistent with the role. 

Person Specification

Essential Criteria

Qualifications and Education
1.    PhD (or nearing completion / submission) in developmental psychopathology, child and adolescent mental health, ADHD, epidemiology or closely related area.

Knowledge, Skills and Experience 
2.    An established expertise and proven portfolio of research and/or relevant industrial experience within the following research fields:
i.    Statistical analyses using large data sets (e.g. structural equation modelling, longitudinal analyses, mediation analyses, twin analyses, missing data analyses).
ii.    Writing research papers.
3.    Knowledge and understanding of current research in ADHD, depression and/or developmental psychopathology.
4.    Proven ability to publish in high-quality journals.
5.    Knowledge and understanding of competitive research funding to be able to develop applications to funding bodies.

Communication and Team Working 
6.    Proven ability in effective and persuasive communication.
7.    Ability to supervise the work of others to focus team efforts and motivate individuals.
Other 
8.    Proven ability to demonstrate creativity, innovation and team-working within work.
9.    Proven ability to work without close supervision.
Desirable Criteria 
10.    Evidence of strong skills in statistics (e.g. during undergraduate degree).
11.    Competent in the use of STATA and MPlus.

Additional Information

IMPORTANT: Evidencing Criteria
Candidates should evidence that they meet ALL of the essential criteria as well as, where relevant, the desirable criteria.

As part of the application process, you will be asked to provide this evidence via a supporting statement. Please ensure when submitting this document / attaching it to you application profile you name it with the vacancy reference number, in this instance, 17170BR

Job Category

Academic - Research