Research Assistant

Advert

Research Assistant
School of Psychology
Cardiff University Centre for Human Developmental Science (CUCHDS)

Applications are invited for a highly motivated and enthusiastic Research Assistant with a degree (or nearing completion) in Psychology (or related field), to join a team of academics and third sector partners working with children, their families, and hospital play specialists in an NHS setting to co-design and produce resources to promote play to support children’s wellbeing and relationships in hospital. The position is funded by an ESRC Harmonised Impact Accelerator Award held by Dr. Amy Paine, Dr. Faith Martin, Dr. Nicola Birdsey, and Dr. Kai Thomas. The successful candidate will join the Cardiff University Centre for Human Developmental Science (CUCHDS; https://www.cardiff.ac.uk/research/explore/research-units/centre-for-human-developmental-science ) in the internationally renowned School of Psychology at Cardiff University, which has a strong tradition of supporting research careers in psychology.

The post holder will join a team of academics, clinical psychologists, and third sector partners (Play Wales and Starlight). Under supervision they will assist with the project including (1) Assessing the need for play resources in hospitals by collecting views of children, their families, and hospital staff; (2) Supporting events with play specialists to co-produce novel resources and guidance to promote play in hospitals; (3) Support with producing and evaluating play resources. Training and support will be provided as required.

We are looking to recruit a playful and creative individual with a BSc degree in Psychology who has experience working with children and families. Applicants must have excellent organisational, communication, and research skills, and an ability to successfully work as part of a team. The post would suit an individual who would like to develop their experience working in a multidisciplinary team at the intersection of clinical, health, and developmental psychology. The experience gained via this post would suit individuals who are interested in a wide variety of careers (academic research, clinical, developmental, and health psychology).  

This post is full-time, fixed-term for 6 months, with the possibility of part-time work over a longer period.

Salary:  £32,332 - £34,980 per annum, pro-rata if worked part-time (Grade 5).  It is not expected to appoint above the first point of the scale Grade 5.25, £32,332 per annum.

Informal enquiries can be made to Dr Amy Paine [email protected] .

Date advert posted: Friday, 12 January 2024

Closing date: Sunday, 28 January 2024

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

To contribute to service evaluation within a specialist area, carrying out supporting work that helps lead to high-quality engagement and impact. To pursue excellence in research and to inspire others to do the same.

Main Duties & Responsibilities

• To undertake service evaluation and research, e.g. by planning, preparing, setting up, conducting and recording fieldwork with children, families, and play specialists in hospital settings.
• Actively participate within the project group, communicating and presenting findings at meetings, through publications and other recognised avenues as appropriate, ensuring information is communicated to internal and external partners.
• To contribute and support impact and engagement publications and presentations
• To contribute and support research funding bids as required
• To analyse and communicate complex ideas, concepts and data using appropriate methods and packages.
• To resolve issues and support colleagues in devising procedures required to ensure accurate and timely reporting
• To generate evaluation and research output and contribute to the development of independent and original ideas as appropriate
• To maintain and update area of specialist knowledge, researching and critically appraising relevant literature within the area.

• To participate in School administration and activities to promote the School and its work to the wider University and the outside world
• To undergo personal and professional development that is appropriate to and which will enhance performance
• To ensure that an understanding of the importance of confidentiality is applied when undertaking all duties
• To abide by the University policies on Health and Safety and Equality and Diversity
• Any other duties not included above, but consistent with the role.

• Ensure that an understanding of the importance of confidentiality is applied when undertaking all duties
• Abide by University policies on Health and Safety and Equality and Diversity
• Perform other duties occasionally which are not included above, but which will be consistent with the role.

Person Specification

IMPORTANT NOTE: When submitting your supporting statement, you must provide evidence as to how you meet each of the essential (and desirable if applicable) criteria below. We suggest that you do so by using each of the criteria as sub-headings, providing written evidence of your relevant skills underneath. Before uploading this attachment, please ensure that you include ****BR within the filename.

Essential Criteria

Qualifications and Education

Additional Information

**Please note the applicant will need to have a clear Enhanced DBS check to work in a paediatric setting**

Cardiff School of Psychology

We are recognised internationally for sustained excellence in research, impact and research led teaching. We are a large School with over 50 academic staff, over 600 undergraduates and 150 postgraduate students. In the last assessment the School attained the highest rating of ‘excellent’ for its teaching from the HEFCW Teaching Quality Assessment Panel. Many individuals in the School are leading figures in their research areas. In the last Research Excellence Framework we entered as a unit of over 80 staff with our colleagues in Psychological medicine. We were placed 2nd in our topic area across the UK. We have state of the art laboratories and experimental expertise across the range of psychology, and are currently building one of the largest and best equipped imaging centres in Europe (see: sites.cubric.cardiff.ac.uk). Our collective aim is to understand the psychological and biological foundations of behaviour at both individual and group levels. The research undertaken in the School ranges from 'synapse to society', and includes normal behaviour in development and adulthood, the breakdown of cognition after stress, trauma and in neurological and/or genetic conditions, as well as key psychological issues of broad importance to society, such as prejudice, reproductive health and understanding risk. The School also contributes to cross-disciplinary University Research Institutes in Neuroscience and Mental Health, Sustainable Places, and Energy Systems Research.

Job Category

Academic - Research