Research Assistant (MHIHS1449)

Are you an enthusiastic early career researcher looking for a career in behaviour change and cancer survivorship?  Are you interested in doing a PhD in psycho-oncology research? Do you have an academic background in psychology, behavioural science, health sciences or a related field? 

We are seeking an individual to support a National Institute of Health Research (NIHR) Postdoctoral Fellowship (PI: Dr Sophie Green). The project aims to develop and pilot test a psychological intervention, based on acceptance and commitment therapy, to support people experiencing fear of cancer recurrence. You will be supported to lead the intervention development phase of the project, and you will support the planning and delivery of the pilot trial, including supporting ethics applications, development of trial documents and supporting trial management. Your role will involve developing skills in systematic review and meta-analysis, co-design, qualitative research, patient and public involvement, trial design and trial management. 

The project is guided by the Multiphase Optimisation Strategy (MOST), which is a framework used to optimise behavioural interventions to improve their effectiveness, efficiency, affordability and scalability. You will be involved in supporting the delivery of a pilot optimisation trial using a novel experimental design (factorial trial). Training and guidance on the MOST framework and experimental designs will be provided. 

Funds are available to complete a PhD alongside this post. This includes fully funded tuition fees, support for training activities and the potential to attend national and international conferences. Your research will be strongly supported by funding from the NIHR, and you will be a member of the NIHR academy. Funding is only available for UK tuition fees. 

 Salary Requirements of the Skilled Worker Visa Route

Please note that due to Home Office visa requirements, this role may only be suitable for first-time Skilled Worker visa applicants if they are eligible for salary concessions. For more information, please visit the Government’s Skilled Worker visa page. 

For research and academic posts, we will consider eligibility under the Global Talent visa. For more information, please visit the Government’s page, Apply for the Global Talent visa.

What we offer in return

26 days holiday plus approx.16 Bank Holidays/days that the University is closed by custom (including Christmas) – That’s 42 days a year!

Generous pension scheme options plus life assurance

Health and Wellbeing: Discounted staff membership options at The Edge, our state-of-the-art Campus gym, with a pool, sauna, climbing wall, cycle circuit, and sports halls.

Personal Development: Access to courses run by our Organisational Development & Professional Learning team, and self-development courses including languages, Creative Writing, Wellbeing Therapies and much more.

Access to on-site childcare, shopping discounts and travel schemes are also available.

And much more!  

If you are wanting to contribute to important cancer survivorship research in a supportive environment, apply today.

To explore the post further or for any queries you may have, please contact: 

Sophie Green, Senior Research Fellow

Email: s.m.c.green@leeds.ac.uk

Interviews will be held on 15th July 2026, taking place in person at the University of Leeds. 

Closing Date: 07 Jul 2026

Section: Research

Salary: £33,951 to £39,906 per annum