Research Associate (Health Psychologist)

We are seeking an enthusiastic and motivated postdoctoral research associate with training and experience evaluating and delivering health behaviour change interventions and an interest in the psychology of obesity and weight management. You will take a lead role in a multi-disciplinary research programme to evaluate an acceptance-based guided self-help intervention to support weight loss maintenance. It builds on a successful feasibility study of the Supporting Weight Management (SWiM) intervention (DOI:10.1002/osp4.70048) and will further refine, adapt and evaluate this intervention to provide evidence needed for implementation within the NHS. This is a 5-year research programme led by Prof Amy Ahern and funded by NIHR Programme Grants for Applied Research (NIHR206801). We have successfully completed the first 2 years of the programme and this is a 3-year fixed term position.

You will have responsibility for leading the mixed methods process evaluation of a large national randomised controlled trial (N=1840) and supporting the adaptation of the SWiM intervention for people who have received bariatric surgery or taken obesity medications. You will also train and supervise the health coaches employed to deliver the "guide" element of guided self-help during the trial.

The appointment will be made on a fixed-term basis for a period of 3 years in order to undertake a specific project of finite duration. A timely start is desired and candidates should indicate their earliest potential start date on application.

This is an NIHR career capacity building position that is intended to increase capacity in interdisciplinary research and implementation science for practitioner psychologists who have an interest and experience in obesity. It would be an ideal position for a qualified (or near qualified) Health Psychologist or someone with similar training and experience. Substantial support will be provided for professional development in research and practice, with a bespoke professional development plan based on your skills, experience and career aspirations. You will become a member of the NIHR Academy and will have access to associated training and mentorship opportunities.

Applicants must have (or be close to obtaining) a PhD. Appointment at Research Associate level is dependent on having a PhD. Those who have submitted but not yet received their PhD will initially be appointed as a Research Assistant (Grade 5, Point 38 £34,610) moving to Research Associate (Grade 7) upon confirmation of your PhD award. Please ensure that you upload a covering letter and CV in the Upload section of the online application. The covering letter should outline how you match the criteria for the post and why you are applying for this role. If you upload any additional documents which have not been requested, we will not be able to consider these as part of your application. Please include details of your referees, including email address and phone number, one of which must be your most recent line manager.