Research Associate

How can sleep measurements inform interventions for children at high risk of psychosis? Evidence links sleep to both cognitive function and psychosis risk. However, the details of when and how sleep impacts cognition and psychosis risk remain unclear. In this study, a multidisciplinary team spanning Cardiff, Bristol and Exeter will evaluate if sleep can be used to determine personalised care for children and young people at a genetically high risk of psychosis. To do this, you will collect longitudinal measures of sleep behaviour and neurophysiology (including wearable technology, such as EEG headbands and actiwatches) and app-based metrics), as well as cognitive and clinical assessments. You will work together with the children and their families to test and validate graded measures of sleep and cognition.

You will conduct psychiatric interviews, assess neurocognitive function and conduct data analysis and manuscript preparation. You will also obtain blood and saliva samples from participants. You will be required to travel UK-wide (expenses will be provided) to assess patients in their own homes which will require overnight stays and work outside of normal office hours., To conduct research within neuroscience and mental health and contribute to the overall research performance of the School and University, carrying out research leading to the publishing of high-quality research. To pursue excellence in research and to inspire others to do the same., Research

• To conduct research within neuroscience and mental health and 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.


Other

• 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.
  
  You should have a PhD in Psychology or a related subject. Experience of working with children/ adolescents who have a history of mental illness and/ or neurodevelopmental disorders is highly desirable., 1. Postgraduate degree at PhD level in Psychology or equivalent., 2. An established expertise and proven portfolio of research within the following research fields:

a. Psychiatric Genetics
b. Statistics
3. Knowledge of current status of research in specialist field.
4. Demonstrable experience in:
I. Conducting and organising research projects.
II. Working with people with learning disabilities, neurodevelopmental issues or mental health problems.
III. Working with children.
5. Proven ability to publish in international journals and high-impact conferences.
6. Knowledge and understanding of competitive research funding to be able to develop applications to funding bodies.

Communication and Team Working
7. Proven ability in effective and persuasive communication.
8. Ability to supervise the work of others to focus team efforts and motivate individuals.

Other
9. Proven ability to demonstrate creativity, innovation and team-working within work.
10. Proven ability to work without close supervision.

Desirable Criteria

1. Experience with conducting psychological/ psychiatric assessments.
2. Experience of working with or volunteering with vulnerable people, with learning disabilities and/ or mental health problems.
3. A willingness to travel across the UK and to be flexible regarding working hours to meet the needs of participants.
4. Proven ability to adapt to the changing requirements of the Higher Education community.
5. Evidence of ability to participate in and develop both internal and external networks and utilise them to enhance the research activities of the School.

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

Applications may be submitted in Welsh, and an application submitted in Welsh will not be treated less favourably than an application submitted in English., This exciting new project, funded by the prestigious Wellcome Trust, involves the development of novel ways to collect longitudinal information on sleep, cognition and mental health, working closely together with children and high genetic risk of psychosis and their families.

This post is full time (35 hours per week), available immediately and is fixed term until 3 September 2026.

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.

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.

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' below), 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:


• Regular one-to-ones with your manager


• An experienced and supportive team around you


• Supporting you through job-relevant training and development that you may require.


• A mentoring scheme