Behavioural Science Fellow (Organisational Psychology and Psychometrics)

We are seeking a motivated and collaborative individual to join our team as a Behavioural Science Fellow. This role offers an exciting opportunity to contribute to a research project evaluating the evidence on psychological measurement instruments that organisations use to recruit and assess their workforce. The fellow will work in partnership with colleagues in GCHQ and other academic partners within a dynamic and inclusive environment. Fellows are expected to attend the Manchester office regularly, so should be located in the North West or willing to relocate.

You will be responsible for

• Reviewing the validation of a range of psychometric instruments and assessing their validity against factors such as how well they apply in different languages and contexts (phase 1: evidence review)
• Shaping and steering the project to successful delivery at the end of 12 months, including a second phase, dependent on phase 1, that could involve developing a novel tool or combining existing scales in a valid and reliable way
• Pursuing publication of academic research in relevant journals, suitable for submission to the Research Excellence Framework and subject to GCHQ approval
• Producing classified research for use by GCHQ and partner organisations, shared internally within the national security community, and navigating the complexities of working between the two research environments
• Working in partnership with colleagues in GCHQ, Alliance Manchester Business School and other academic partners, agreeing the instruments of interest in discussion with project partners

We welcome candidates who bring diverse perspectives, experiences, and approaches to their work.

About You

We encourage applications from individuals with a wide range of backgrounds and experiences. You should demonstrate:

Essential Criteria

• PhD (or equivalent, e.g. occupational psychology chartership) with expertise in a relevant topic such as organisational or occupational psychology; candidates who have submitted their PhD and are awaiting viva or completing post-viva revisions will be considered (students who have not yet submitted will not)
• Experience of independent research in an area relevant to the fellowship, with a demonstrable working knowledge of appropriate research methods and a willingness to learn new methods where necessary
• An interest in and commitment to the application of research to matters of national security
• Initiative, motivation and the ability to work in teams and liaise with project collaborators, while organising your own research, prioritising workload and meeting deadlines
• Evidence of an emerging track record in academic presentation and publication, and a commitment to furthering it

Desirable Criteria

• Demonstrated experience and expertise in a range of psychometric instruments, in a field such as organisational, occupational, health or clinical psychology
• Experience of validation and tool development
• Experience of evidence or intervention evaluation
• Experience of undertaking systematic reviews, rapid evidence assessments and/or meta-analyses

We value transferable skills and real-world experience as much as formal qualifications.

Research environment: GCHQ works closely with MI5 and SIS to protect the UK from national security threats. The University of Manchester is a Russell Group member (ranked 6th in the UK and 38th in the world by the Academic Ranking of World Universities), with 93% of its research rated world leading or internationally excellent in REF 2021. Alliance Manchester Business School, established in 1965, has a large and highly ranked organisational psychology group.

Security: elements of the Classified Research Programme are highly confidential and subject to formal security procedures. The fellow may be expected to apply for national security clearance from GCHQ, making them subject to the Official Secrets Act. The minimum requirement is British citizenship and having lived in the UK for 7 of the last 10 years. All applicants should carefully consider their eligibility before applying. The University reserves the right to terminate the fellowship in the event of a loss of security clearance. GCHQ has a strict drugs policy: once you have started your application you cannot take any recreational drugs, and you will need to declare any previous drug usage when applying for clearance.

GCHQ: diversity and inclusion are critical to our mission, and we welcome applications from everyone, including groups under-represented in our workforce. GCHQ is a Disability Confident Leader and aims to offer an interview to any candidate who self-identifies as disabled and meets the essential criteria for the role (Offer of Interview).

Our benefits include:

• Generous employer contribution pension
• 29 days annual leave plus bank holidays, along with Christmas closure
• Ride to work and EV car scheme available

For more information, please see University of Manchester Benefits. You can also find information on our Flexible and Hybrid working here.

We are an open place of enquiry and challenge. We embrace and celebrate difference, diversity and debate, and we pride ourselves on being a place of education, learning and community where we are able, within the law, to question and test received wisdom, express new ideas and explore controversial or unpopular topics and opinions. Find out more from our Freedom of Speech Policy.

Enquiries about the role, shortlisting and interviews

Email Address: bsfellowships@manchester.ac.uk

General enquiries and administrative support

recruitmentservices.people@manchester.ac.uk

Technical and job portal support

https://jobseekersupport.jobtrain.co.uk/support/home

This role is not eligible for Skilled Worker visa sponsorship. Applicants must demonstrate the right to work in the UK.

To apply, please submit the application form, a current CV and an application letter explaining why you want the fellowship and why you are a strong candidate for it. This expertise and experience should be explained in your letter, and shortlisted candidates will be asked to make a brief presentation on the topic. Interviews are anticipated in mid-December.

Applications close at midnight (GMT) on 30 November 2026.

Further particulars (with person specification) linked below.