Research Associate (PRIME Project)

University of Bath - Psychology

The Department of Psychology is seeking a talented and motivated Research Associate to join the UKRI-funded PRIME (Peer Review Improvement for Minimizing Bias in Evaluation) project.

PRIME is an ambitious international initiative designed to test whether Results-Blind Peer Review (RBR)—a review process where decisions are based on the introduction and methods before results are revealed—can reduce publication bias and strengthen the reliability of scientific evidence.

This project will deliver the first large-scale, real-world randomised controlled trial of RBR, working in collaboration with a range of scholarly publishers across sectors.

Bias in peer review contributes to the over-representation of positive findings in the scientific literature, undermining evidence quality and distorting policy and practice.

PRIME addresses this challenge by evaluating whether RBR shifts editorial decision-making toward methodological rigour and away from outcome favourability.

It also investigates the feasibility and acceptability of implementing RBR within journal workflows, and will generate actionable policy recommendations, guidance materials, and communication resources to support improvements in peer review.

About the role

The post holder will play a key role in coordinating aspects of the trial, assessing the methodological characteristics of submitted manuscripts, contributing to analysis and interpretation of trial outcomes, and supporting the development of resources informed by behavioural science and stakeholder consultation.

They will work closely with the Principal Investigator and with partners across the UK and internationally.

As part of the University’s commitment to research staff development, the post holder will be supported to undertake professional development, including a minimum of 10 days per year pro rata.

We welcome applications from candidates who have:

• A PhD in Psychology, Epidemiology, or another relevant discipline, with strong training in quantitative research methods and inferential statistical analysis.
• Experience evaluating empirical research, including extracting data from research articles and assessing methodological rigour or study quality (e.g., using structured checklists).
• A strong commitment to open research practices, such as transparent coding and analysis pipelines, reproducible workflows, pre-registration, or open data/materials, in line with sector-wide best practice.
• Excellent analytical skills, including the ability to work with quantitative datasets and interpret statistical evidence.
• (Desirable) Experience conducting meta-analysis or synthesising effect-size data across studies.
• Strong communication, organisation, and time-management skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with researchers, international partners, and publishing stakeholders.
• An interest in metascience, peer review, research integrity, or improving scientific processes more broadly.

Additional information

This is a fixed-term post of approximately 9–10 months as a 1FTE role.

We are open to supporting part-time working with a longer duration. A 0.6 FTE would be feasible if the individual could start immediately. 0.8 FTE or above is preferred. Please note your request for part-time working in the last supporting statement of your application.

The exact duration will depend on the appointed candidate’s start date and working pattern, and the post must finish no later than 31 August 2027.

A lower grade offer may be made (Grade 6) with comparable reduction in responsibilities and amendment in job title to Research Assistant, if a suitable applicant cannot be found to fill the Grade 7 position. Applicants will need to be within six months of their course completion date and will be promoted to Research Associate once their PhD has been awarded.

Informal enquiries are welcome and should be directed to Dr Katherine Button (K.S.Button@bath.ac.uk).