"Research Fellow"

Background

Applications are invited from graduates with a strong first degree and PhD in Psychology for a Research Fellow appointment at the University of Surrey. The appointee will co-ordinate and oversee research conducted at the University of Surrey as part of the Cerebra Network, funded by Cerebra.

The Cerebra Network aims to improve outcomes for children with intellectual disability associated with rare genetic syndromes and/or autism. The Network is led across four sites: Surrey (Dr Jo Moss), Birmingham (Dr Caroline Richards), Aston (Dr Jane Waite), and Warwick (Dr Hayley Crawford).

The successful candidate will co-ordinate research exploring person, clinician, and environmental factors influencing autism diagnosis in children with genetic syndromes and intellectual disability. They will collaborate with NHS services to collect data from clinicians and contribute to research with children and families using standardised assessments. Responsibilities include project setup, participant recruitment, data collection, management and analysis, reporting, manuscript preparation, dissemination, and project administration.

The post, suited to those interested in clinical and developmental psychology, offers training and supervision opportunities. It is based in the School of Psychology, under Dr Jo Moss and runs part-time (0.5FTE) for 39 months starting January 2026. Benefits include pension contributions (USS), generous leave, a supportive research environment, and staff development opportunities.

Informal enquiries: j.moss@surrey.ac.uk

Role Summary

• Work within a charity-funded research project.
• Oversee and contribute to data collection.
• Operate within area of specialism.
• Analyse and interpret data.
• Contribute to funding bids.
• Communicate complex information to diverse audiences.

Main Duties

• Collect data from clinicians and professionals working with children with intellectual disability.
• Support team members in collecting data from children with rare genetic syndromes, including travel for assessments.
• Analyse and interpret data.
• Apply knowledge to advance new intellectual understanding.
• Disseminate findings through publications, seminars, and conferences.
• Supervise students and guide PhD researchers where appropriate.
• Contribute to new models, techniques, and methods.
• Undertake research management and administration.
• Participate in departmental research activities.
• Support public engagement activities.
• Present research outputs at seminars, conferences, and in publications.
• Provide guidance to support staff and students assisting with research.
• Resolve problems affecting research objectives and deadlines.
• Promote equality, diversity, and inclusion in all activities.

Person Specification

• At least a 2:1 degree in Psychology or closely related field and a relevant PhD in Psychology.
• Experience collecting data from clinicians and children with intellectual disability.
• Skilled in conducting standardised assessments and behavioural measures with children.
• Experience working with and communicating effectively to populations with intellectual disability.
• Proficiency in statistical analysis (SPSS, R, or equivalent).
• Strong communication skills for academic and non-academic audiences.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a research team.
• Competence in resource planning and effective resource use.
• Understanding of management and administration processes.
• Ability to plan and organise research programmes and co-ordinate work to avoid conflict or duplication.

How to apply

Please apply on the University website with your CV and a cover letter stating how you match the person specification.

The University of Surrey reserves the right to close this vacancy early based on volume and calibre of applications.

An Enhanced DBS check is required for this position.

Further details

Job Description