Job Summary
We are seeking a motivated Research Assistant Psychologist to work as a Link Worker on the exciting National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) funded Mouth Matters in Mental Health Study.This innovative project is an NIHR funded project involving a brief psychosocial intervention using mental health support workers as a Link Worker to improve dental visiting in people with severe mental health conditions.
Main duties of the job
The main duties of the role comprise leading the delivery of the protocol basedindividual psychosocial intervention for participants recruited to the research study and allocated to receive the intervention.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- First-class or Upper-second-class (2:1) Bachelors degree with Honours in Psychology that is accredited by the British Psychological Society and confers the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership of the British Psychological Society
Desirable
- A Masters degree in a relevant area of psychology (e.g. clinical) or Masters in Research which is accredited by the British Psychological Society.
- Eligibility for membership of the British Psychological Society (BPS) or relevant professional body
- Completion of Good Clinical Practice training in the last 2 years
Experience
Essential
- Experience of conducting research projects
- Experience that supports working with, and addressing issues of, diversity within local communities. This may have been gained through lived experience, work, research, and/or volunteering.
- Sufficient experience of working with people with mental health problems and/or learning disabilities in a relevant clinical setting
Desirable
- Have experience as an assistant psychology, therapy assistant, support worker
- Experience in Patient & Public Engagement Involvement (PPIE) in a research setting
- Experience of working with people living with a severe mental health condition
- Experience of conducting cognitive and/or other relevant assessments
Knowledge/ Skills
Essential
- Graduate level knowledge of psychological research design, methodology, data collection and statistical analysis
- Good theoretical knowledge of the problems experienced by and needs of people living with severe mental health conditions
- Awareness of key issues faced by minoritized groups in severe mental ill ess through attendance of relevant training
- Well-developed verbal and written communication skills including communicating information to services users, carers/families and colleagues
- Well-developed IT skills including entry and analysis of research data
Desirable
- Knowledge regarding psychological approaches to severe mental illness
- Knowledge of research ethics and governance procedures
- Knowledge of psychological assessment and clinical psychometrics
- Proven skills in research methodology and statistical analysis
Abilities
Essential
- Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to engage with people drawn from a variety of social and demographic backgrounds and communities, and who are living with a severe mental health condition
- Ability to identify and follow relevant clinical governance procedures and professional and research guidelines
- Ability to work effectively within a team
- Ability to work independently on a day-to-day basis and use own initiative
- Excellent keyboard skills and skills in using word-processing, e-mail, internet software, spreadsheets, and databases
Desirable
- Awareness of relevant clinical governance procedures in NHS settings
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).
Closing Date: 19 April 2026