Job summary
The post is to work as a Research Assistant on two trials being run in the Hub for Advancing Research in Psychosis. You will work half time on the EASE Trial, an NIHR funded randomised controlled trial (RCT) that aims to examine the value of EMDR for people with early psychosis, and a history of distressing life experiences. You will also work half time on the Mouth Matters study which is a research trial examining the impact of a link worker in helping people with psychosis to access dental care.

The post is full time for 20 months on a fixed term basis.

The post holder will be responsible for recruiting eligible participants to the trials, conducting assessments using validated clinical measures to confirm the eligibility of participants, and to conduct baseline and follow up assessments. Administrative requirements will include timely and accurate documentation, updating clinical records, and managing record-keeping databases. This post will involve travelling to, and working across, multiple locations including NHS settings and participants' homes. Hence, the post holder must be comfortable lone working, within a supported and structured risk management protocol. Applicants should be able to work warmly and sensitively with people experiencing distress, and be able to manage their own wellbeing using available supervision and support structures.

Main duties of the job
Your job purpose will be to promote the study and work with the psychosis service to identify potential participants. You will take informed consent from participants and conduct the trials assessments at the appropriate time points. You will carefully follow the research protocol and avoid being unblinded to which condition participants have been randomised too. You will input data and manage your own diary and workload.

You will have a good first degree in Psychology (at least a 2:1). You will have some experience of working in a mental health setting as an Assistant Psychologist or Research Assistant (or equivalent experience), and an interest in psychosis, trauma, and/or other serious mental health difficulties. Knowledge of audit, research design and data management is essential. Experience of using a structured psychiatric interview would be advantageous. Experience of recruiting research participants from diverse communities that are often under-represented in research would also be beneficial for the role. We particularly encourage applicants interested in developing their own skills and knowledge, and contributing to the wider research team.

. Interviews will be on Thursday and Friday the 29th and 30th October.

About us
We aim to attract and retain a diverse, talented and committed workforce, who are caring and compassionate, and therefore able to meet the demands of the modern NHS now and in the future. In return we can offer a dynamic working environment in which to build a career.

NHS Employees identified as at risk of compulsory redundancy and those eligible for the NENC Re-Deployment careers hub will receive prior consideration.

Details
Date posted: 22 September 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 4
Salary: £28,392 to £31,157 a year per annum
Contract: Fixed term
Duration: 20 months
Working pattern: Full-time, Part-time
Reference number: 263-SS26-058-JW
Job locations: St Nicholas Hospital, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE3 3XT, United Kingdom

Job responsibilities
Please find attached job description for full details and further information about the two studies.

Advertising date : 22nd September 2026
Closing date : 6th October 2026
We welcome your application.
Please note - this vacancy may close early once a suitable number of applications are received.

Person Specification
Education and Qualifications
Essential

• Upper 2nd class honours degree, or higher, in psychology
• gibility for graduate membership of British Psychological Society.

Desirable

• Further post graduate training in relevant areas of psychology, mental health practice and/or research design and analysis.

Knowledge and Experience
Essential

• Paid or unpaid work with people with mental health problems and/or other disabilities.
• Knowledge of evidence based practice

Desirable

• Experience of paid work in direct care provision.
• Experience with client group relevant to post.
• Experience of psychometric test administration and interpretation.
• Experience of providing individual or group interventions.

Skills and Competencies
Essential

• High level of communication skills (written and oral), including an ability to communicate and work in highly emotive circumstances.
• Demonstrates graduate level knowledge and experience of research and research methodology.
• An understanding of the needs and difficulties of people with mental health problems and other disabilities.
• Ability to apply existing psychological knowledge to a mental health / cognitive impairment / disability context.
• Computer literate, including use of databases & data analysis, e.g. SPSS for Windows.
• Demonstrates graduate level knowledge and experience of research and research methodology.
• An understanding of psychology applied to healthcare.

Desirable

• A high standard of report writing.

Additional Requirements
Essential

• Ability to accept and use supervision appropriately and effectively
• Ability to meet the travel requirements of the post

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Employer details
Employer name: Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and wear (CNTW) NHS Foundation Trust
Address: St Nicholas Hospital, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE3 3XT, United Kingdom
Employer's website: https://www.cntw.nhs.uk/careers/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details
For questions about the job, contact: Senior Clinical Psychologist, Marsha Cochrane, marsha.cochrane@cntw.nhs.uk