Research Assistant
At a glance
- Band
- Band 5
- Contract
- Fixed-term
- Pattern
- Full-time
- Posted
- 18/09/2026
- Closes
- 28/09/2026
Sponsorship verdict
Candidates needing sponsorship are encouraged to apply.
HiveMind found a sponsorship-friendly statement in the source advert welcoming applicants who require a visa. Always confirm on the source before applying.
“Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications.”Quoted verbatim from the source advert
Role summary
This is an exciting opportunity to join the Research and Development (R&D) Team at South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust as a Research Assistant. The role primarily involves working on the delivery of a new randomised controlled trial, the DIAMONDS study. You will support participant recruitment, data collection, and maintain accurate records, contributing to mental health care research. This position offers a chance to gain valuable experience and expand knowledge within a research team.
Essential criteria
- oDegree qualification in relevant health sciences (e.g. nursing, psychology or sociology) (A)
- oCompletion of Good Clinical Practice training in the last 2 years or willingness to complete prior to commencing role (A)
Desirable criteria
- oA degree or diploma with a substantial research component (A)
- oHigher degree/formal study of research design and methods in clinical or social settings (A)
- oExperience working with individuals with mental health difficulties in a clinical or research setting (A/I)
- oExperience of data management in secure clinical or research databases, ensuring high data quality and correct documentation and adherence to study protocols, including lone working (A/I)
- oExperience of conducting PPI and public engagement activities (A/I)
- oCurrent or recent experience of working with people who have experienced trauma (A)
- oExperience of conducting qualitative interviews (A)
- oExperience in administering psychometric scales or willingness to train (A)
- oExperience of recruiting participants to research studies including informed consent (A/I)
- oExperience conducting research at a clinical interface or within a randomised controlled trial (A/I)
- Knowledge and Skills
- oExcellent communication and interpersonal skills. (A/I)
- oHighly motivated with the ability to work as part of a team and on an individual basis. (A/I)
- oKnowledge of research methods and statistical procedures (A/I)
- oUnderstands the research process and the application of research in improving healthcare. (A/I)
- oCompetence in standard PC packages (Word, Excel) (A/I)
- oDemonstrates clear attention to detail and an organised approach to co-ordinating study activities and managing data (A/I).
- oCommitment to obtain underpinning knowledge through work-based learning (A/I)
- oCompleting and scoring of research rating scales (A/I)
- oData management and analysis skills using software such as SPSS, NVivo (A/I)
- Other
- oWorking in a mobile/agile way (A/I)
- oCommitment to equality, diversity and inclusion. (A/I)
- oOccasional work outside of core hours to meet participants' availability (A/I)
- oDegree qualification in relevant health sciences (e.g. nursing, psychology or sociology) (A)
- oCompletion of Good Clinical Practice training in the last 2 years or willingness to complete prior to commencing role (A)
- oA degree or diploma with a substantial research component (A)
- oHigher degree/formal study of research design and methods in clinical or social settings (A)
- oExperience working with individuals with mental health difficulties in a clinical or research setting (A/I)
- oExperience of data management in secure clinical or research databases, ensuring high data quality and correct documentation and adherence to study protocols, including lone working (A/I)
- oExperience of conducting PPI and public engagement activities (A/I)
- oCurrent or recent experience of working with people who have experienced trauma (A)
- oExperience of conducting qualitative interviews (A)
- oExperience in administering psychometric scales or willingness to train (A)
- oExperience of recruiting participants to research studies including informed consent (A/I)
- oExperience conducting research at a clinical interface or within a randomised controlled trial (A/I)
- Knowledge and Skills
- oExcellent communication and interpersonal skills. (A/I)
- oHighly motivated with the ability to work as part of a team and on an individual basis. (A/I)
- oKnowledge of research methods and statistical procedures (A/I)
- oUnderstands the research process and the application of research in improving healthcare. (A/I)
- oCompetence in standard PC packages (Word, Excel) (A/I)
- oDemonstrates clear attention to detail and an organised approach to co-ordinating study activities and managing data (A/I).
- oCommitment to obtain underpinning knowledge through work-based learning (A/I)
- oCompleting and scoring of research rating scales (A/I)
- oData management and analysis skills using software such as SPSS, NVivo (A/I)
- Other
- oWorking in a mobile/agile way (A/I)
- oCommitment to equality, diversity and inclusion. (A/I)
- oOccasional work outside of core hours to meet participants' availability (A/I)
Useful to know
Agenda for Change 2024/25 pays Band 5 at £29,970 – £36,483 a year, across England.
This advert: £38,488 – £46,852 — outside the standard scale; check for HCAS/London weighting.
Posted 1d ago · Closes in 10d
Plenty of time to prepare a strong application.
Full advert · preview
South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust
Research Assistant
The closing date is 28 September 2026
Job summary
Imagine if the work you did today could impact on how mental health care is delivered tomorrow. An exciting opportunity has arisen join the Research and Development (R&D) Team at South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust. A key aspect of this role is working on the delivery on a new randomised controlled trial.
This is an excellent development opportunity for a motivated and hardworking individual to gain experience in being part of a research team, expand their own knowledge of practice through supporting the delivery of research studies taking place within the trust. The portfolio of studies and locations offers the chance for this role to be both challenging and rewarding for the right candidate.
Main duties of the job
Key Responsibilities Include:
To work as part of the research growth and delivery team as a member of the DIAMONDS study, which is a randomised controlled trial.
To interact appropriately with research participants, service users, their carers and relatives, with the ability to convey the goals of the research in a friendly manner.
Participate in and contribute towards multi-disciplinary meetings within the unit, as well as liaising with health professionals outside of the research team as required.
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