Research Assistant in Study Coordination and Mental Health Research

University of Surrey - Psychological Sciences

Location: Guildford

Salary: £10,383 to £10,990 per annum pro rata (0.3 FTE)

Hours: Part Time

Contract Type: Fixed-Term/Contract

Placed On: 2026-06-11

Closes: 2026-06-24

Job Ref: 025726

We are seeking a motivated and well-organised part-time (0.3 FTE) Research Assistant to support data collection and study coordination for research exploring links between nutrition, the gut microbiome, sleep, cognition and mental health.

The post will support Professor Kathrin Cohen Kadosh’s research within the School of Psychology, including Surrey’s contribution to the Horizon Europe NUTRIMIND project. The Research Assistant will help oversee data collection and data-flow activities, including participant recruitment and follow-up, questionnaire tracking, sleep-watch data, supplement adherence, stool-sample collection, study logs, data checks and ethics/GDPR documentation.

The post will also support ongoing work on prebiotic supplementation and perimenopausal symptoms, where participants complete online questionnaires, wear sleep-tracking devices, take a dietary supplement and provide a stool sample.

This is a part-time role, and some tasks can be carried out flexibly/remotely. However, the postholder will be expected to be an active member of the lab, attend relevant lab meetings, contribute to the day-to-day running of the research, and help with general lab tasks as needed.

This role would suit an early-career researcher who is organised, careful, reliable and interested in gaining practical experience in human research, nutrition, mental health and gut–brain science. Some prior research training or experience is required, but further training will be provided.

About you

We are looking for someone who has:

• A degree or equivalent experience in psychology, nutrition, neuroscience, health sciences, public health, biosciences or a related area.
• Some prior research training or experience, for example through a dissertation, research placement, internship, lab role or data-collection role.
• Excellent organisational skills and attention to detail.
• Good interpersonal and communication skills, including confidence communicating with research participants.
• Ability to work carefully with sensitive participant information.
• Good IT skills, including use of spreadsheets and online data-collection systems.
• Ability to follow study protocols accurately.
• Reliability, initiative and a calm, professional approach to problem-solving.
• An interest in nutrition, mental health, sleep, cognition, women’s health and/or gut–brain research.
• Understanding of research ethics, confidentiality and data protection, or willingness to develop this knowledge with training.

How to apply

Please submit your application through the University of Surrey recruitment portal, including:

• a CV;
• a short covering statement explaining your interest in the role and how your experience fits the requirements.

Applications will be reviewed after the closing date. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to interview, where they will be asked about their research experience, organisational skills, ability to work with participants, and interest in nutrition and mental health research.

Further details

For more information and to apply online, please download the further details and click on the 'apply online' button above.

In return we offer a generous pension, relocation assistance where appropriate, flexible working options including job share and blended home/campus working locations (dependent on work duties), access to world-class leisure facilities on campus, a range of travel schemes and supportive family friendly benefits including an excellent on-site nursery.