Research Assistant

But we can't achieve this goal alone. We need forward-thinking, innovative, and curious individuals like you to join our community and help us craft our future. As part of our team, you'll have the opportunity to work with a diverse range of people who share your passion for creating positive change. We’re an inclusive and welcoming community that is constantly moving forward, never satisfied with the status quo.

About Us

The School of Childhood and Social Care brings together expertise from psychology, education, social work, counselling, and social care to foster interdisciplinary collaboration, enrich the student experience, and strengthen community engagement. The school plays a key role within the Stratford Health Campus, supporting professional education, applied research, and practice-based learning.

The Department of Psychology and Human Development at the University of East London (UEL) offers one of the most comprehensive portfolios of psychology programmes in the UK, with clear pathways from undergraduate study through to postgraduate and doctoral qualifications. Undergraduate degrees include BSc Psychology, Psychology with Child Development, Clinical and Community Psychology, and Forensic Psychology. Postgraduate provision encompasses specialised MSc programmes such as Applied Positive Psychology, Business Psychology, and Occupational and Organisational Psychology, alongside conversion courses and MPhil/PhD study. Professionally accredited doctoral programmes in Clinical Psychology and Educational & Child Psychology are regulated by the HCPC and accredited by the BPS.

About the Job

This is a part-time Research Assistant position supporting a 7-month, externally funded research project in Metabolic Psychiatry at the University of East London. The project, “An online psychoeducational and support program implementing ketogenic metabolic therapy for mental illness,” will investigate the implementation and outcomes of an online ketogenic metabolic therapy programme for people experiencing mental illness.

Working closely with the Principal Investigator, Dr Erin Louise Bellamy, the Research Assistant will play a key role in mixed-methods research, including qualitative interviews, thematic analysis, quantitative data analysis, interpretation and reporting of findings, and contributing to academic publications and presentations. The role offers an opportunity for an early-career researcher to gain substantial experience across the full research process within an emerging area of mental health research.

Essential experience required:

• A Psychology degree at 2:1 or above.
• Experience conducting research interviews, ideally with participants discussing sensitive or personal experiences.
• Practical experience conducting thematic analysis of qualitative data.
• Experience using SPSS to analyse quantitative data, including appropriate statistical tests such as ANOVAs, and accurately interpreting and reporting results.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to contribute to research reports, academic papers and presentations.
• Excellent organisation, attention to detail and ability to manage multiple research tasks and deadlines while working collaboratively with the PI.

About You

The ideal candidate will be an early-career psychology researcher with a strong interest in mental health research and experience across both qualitative and quantitative research methods. You will be confident conducting interviews, analysing qualitative data thematically, and working with quantitative datasets in SPSS. You will have a careful and methodical approach to research, with strong attention to detail and the ability to interpret findings accurately and communicate them clearly.

You will be comfortable working independently while maintaining close collaboration with the Principal Investigator and research participants. As the project involves sensitive mental health topics, you should demonstrate excellent interpersonal skills, professionalism, ethical awareness and an ability to handle confidential information appropriately.

The role would particularly suit someone looking to develop their academic research career and gain experience in mixed-methods research, publication, dissemination and emerging approaches to mental health treatment, in this case, Metabolic Psychiatry. A Master's degree in Psychology would be advantageous.

An interest in, or prior reading around, metabolic psychiatry and ketogenic metabolic therapies for mental health would be desirable but is not essential. What matters most is a strong research foundation, intellectual curiosity, and enthusiasm for contributing to a developing area of mental health science.

Equal Opportunities

As an inclusive, equal-opportunities employer, our Stonewall membership and Athena Swan awards reflect our ongoing dedication to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and we’re committed to closing the "diversity pay gap". We’re proud of the progress we’ve made and honest that there’s more to do. We’re determined to keep moving forward so everyone at UEL can thrive.

So, if you’d like to take your career to the next level with us here at the University of East London and are inspired by our environment and commit to success, we want you to apply today!

Please note that this advert may close earlier than the stated deadline if we receive a high volume of applications. We encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible.

Interview Date: 27th November 2026

Further Details

Job Description & Person Specification

To contact the recruitment team please phone +44 20 8223 3000 x 4600 or e-mail jobs@uel.ac.uk

CVs without a completed application form will not be accepted.

At UEL we are committed to working together to build a community which values diversity in both our staff and student populations, is representative and inclusive, enabling all to progress and thrive.