Researcher: Oxford Brain Story

About Us

The University of Oxford is a stimulating work environment with an international reputation as a world-class centre of excellence. Our research plays a key role in tackling many global challenges, from reducing our carbon emissions to developing vaccines during a pandemic.

The Department of Psychiatry is based on the Warneford Hospital site in Oxford – a friendly, welcoming place of work with an international reputation for excellence. The Department has a substantial research programme, with major funding from Medical Research Council (MRC), Wellcome Trust and National Institute for Health Research (NIHR). The Head of Department is Professor Belinda Lennox.

This is an exciting opportunity for a researcher contribute to the evaluation and implementation of the Brain Story, as well as the national development and delivery of training to professionals and community members. The Brain Story aims to share the well-established science of brain development—explaining how early experiences shape lifelong health, behaviour, and resilience – with everyone in our community

What We Offer

As an employer, we genuinely care about our employees’ wellbeing and this is reflected in the range of benefits that we offer including:

• An excellent contributory pension scheme
• 38 days annual leave
• A comprehensive range of childcare services
• Family leave schemes
• Cycle loan scheme
• Discounted bus travel and Season Ticket travel loans
• Membership to a variety of social and sports clubs

The post is available on a flexible hybrid basis.

About the Role

The post is fixed-term for 18 months and is based in the Department of Psychiatry at the Warneford Hospital.

You will be managing your own academic research and project management related to implementation and measuring impact of the Oxford Brain Story programme. You will apply and adapt the implementation of science frameworks and develop new research methodologies and co-production of materials in real-world contexts.

About You

You will have or be close to the completion of a PhD applied health, neuroscience, social science, or or related discipline, together with relevant experience. You will possess specialist knowledge of neuroscience, methods and measurement of the impact of programme/intervention in applied health research contexts (including qualitative and quantitative methodologies). You will also possess excellent data analysis skills, strong interpersonal and communication skills, and evidence of strong scientific writing. Completion of the Brain Story Certification course would be desirable.

Diversity

Committed to equality and valuing diversity

Our active Psychiatry People and Culture teams and initiatives including our values and behaviours framework, work to make the Department of Psychiatry as supportive, welcoming and inclusive as possible.

Application Process

You will be required to upload a covering letter/supporting statement, CV and the details of two referees as part of your online application. Please see the University pages on the application process at https://www.jobs.ox.ac.uk/application-process

The closing date for applications is 8 May 2026.

Interviews will take place on 20 May 2026 and will be face-to-face or online where required

Location: Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Warneford Hospital, Oxford OX3 7JX

Pay Scale: RESEARCH GRADE 7

Salary: £39,424 - £47,779