We are seeking an enthusiastic and motivated postdoctoral research associate with training and experience evaluating and delivering health behaviour change interventions and an interest in the psychology of obesity and weight management. You will take a lead role in a multi-disciplinary research programme to evaluate an acceptance-based guided self-help intervention to support weight loss maintenance. It builds on a successful feasibility study of the Supporting Weight Management (SWiM) intervention (DOI:10.1002/osp4.70048) and will further refine, adapt and evaluate this intervention to provide evidence needed for implementation within the NHS. This is a 5-year research programme led by Prof Amy Ahern and funded by NIHR Programme Grants for Applied Research (NIHR206801). We have successfully completed the first 2 years of the programme and this is a 3-year fixed term position.
You will have responsibility for leading the mixed methods process evaluation of a large national randomised controlled trial (N=1840) and supporting the adaptation of the SWiM intervention for people who have received bariatric surgery or taken obesity medications. You will also train and supervise the health coaches employed to deliver the "guide" element of guided self-help during the trial.
The successful candidate will have a PhD or equivalent qualification in psychology or behavioural science and demonstrable experience in undertaking high quality qualitative and mixed methods research. Applicants should have excellent written and verbal communication skills, and the ability to build and maintain excellent working relationships with collaborators, stakeholders and team members.
This is an NIHR career capacity building position that is intended to increase capacity in interdisciplinary research and implementation science for practitioner psychologists who have an interest and experience in obesity. It would be an ideal position for a qualified (or near qualified) Health Psychologist or someone with similar training and experience. Substantial support will be provided for professional development in research and practice, with a bespoke professional development plan based on your skills, experience and career aspirations. You will become a member of the NIHR Academy and will have access to associated training and mentorship opportunities.
The appointment will be made on a fixed-term basis for a period of 3 years in order to undertake a specific project of finite duration. A timely start is desired and candidates should indicate their earliest potential start date on application.
Please contact Prof Amy Ahern (Amy.Ahern@ims.cam.ac.uk) for informal enquiries.
The closing date is Tuesday 17th November 2026 and interviews will likely be held 25th ¿ 27th November 2026.
Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available until 31 October 2029 in the first instance.
Click the 'Apply' button below to register an account with our recruitment system (if you have not already) and apply online.
Applicants must have (or be close to obtaining) a PhD.
Appointment at Research Associate level is dependent on having a PhD. Those who have submitted but not yet received their PhD will initially be appointed as a Research Assistant (Grade 5, Point 38 £34,610) moving to Research Associate (Grade 7) upon confirmation of your PhD award.
Please ensure that you upload a covering letter and CV in the Upload section of the online application. The covering letter should outline how you match the criteria for the post and why you are applying for this role. If you upload any additional documents which have not been requested, we will not be able to consider these as part of your application.
Please include details of your referees, including email address and phone number, one of which must be your most recent line manager.
Please quote reference SJ51496 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.
The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.
The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.
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Key information
Department/location
Clinical Biochemistry (Institute of Metabolic Science Epidemiology)
Salary
£37,694-£46,049
Reference
SJ51496
Category
Research
Date published
23 October 2026
Closing date
17 November 2026