Psychology Assistant

Psychology Assistant – Wolfson Centre for Young People’s Mental Health

The Wolfson Centre for Young People’s Mental Health, based at Cardiff University, is operating a £10 million research centre focused on anxiety and depression in young people. We are recruiting a Psychology Assistant to support the \”Interventions in Adolescents at High Familial Risk\” workstream, specifically assisting with the randomised controlled SWELL trial that aims to prevent depression in teenagers with elevated depressive symptoms.

Job Purpose

Provide comprehensive and professional support to the Wolfson Centre’s research workstream, including recruitment and assessment of participants and data management for the SWELL trial.

Key Duties

• Become familiar and proficient in research assessment methods (training provided).
• Recruit parents with a history of major depressive disorder and their adolescent children for the SWELL trial.
• Conduct participant assessments (primarily via videoconferencing; can also be phone or face‑to‑face) and accommodate some assessments outside normal working hours (weekday evenings).
  Gathering detailed psychological and questionnaire data.
• Understand and convey project information to participants and stakeholders, ensuring careful explanation where required.
• Input and store all collected data in the relevant research databases.
• Build and maintain productive relationships with internal university colleagues and external contacts to support recruitment and service delivery.
• Ensure participant recruitment targets are met and uphold confidentiality, professional standards, and regulatory compliance.
• Present progress updates at team meetings, including recruitment numbers and challenges, and contribute ideas for recruitment strategy.
• Facilitate linkage with NHS clinical teams to support patient recruitment to the study.
• Carry out administrative duties such as data recording and record maintenance under supervision.
• Support and train other team members in project procedures where required.
• Ensure compliance with university policies on equality, diversity, data protection, copyright, and security.
• Adapt flexibly to new procedures, take on additional tasks consistent with the role, and aid the overall development of the study.
• Carry out any other duties reasonably related to this role.

General Duties

• Apply an understanding of the importance of confidentiality in all activities.
• Adhere to university policies and undertake appropriate professional development.
• Uphold the Professional Services Values & Behaviours (or local equivalent).

Person Specification

Essential Criteria

• Degree (2.1 or above) in Psychology or a related subject, and/or relevant experience.
• Proficiency in IT, including Email, Internet, Microsoft Office, and SPSS (data entry and analysis).
• Specialist knowledge of psychological assessment principles and awareness of the differences between mental illness and typical behaviour.
• Experience of working in an administrative role – ability to set up and improve office systems and procedures.
• Strong communication and team‑working skills – able to convey complex information to staff and the public sensitively and professionally.
• Organised, self‑motivated, precise, and able to work unsupervised to strict deadlines and plan priorities.
• Problem‑solving skills – initiative, creativity, practical solution proposed, and ability to resolve problems with multiple options.

Desirable Criteria

• Experience of recruiting participants to research studies and administering psychological interviews or questionnaires.
• Full valid driving licence.
• Fluency in Welsh, written and oral.
• Understanding of confidentiality and data security.
• Experience working in a higher education environment.

Support and Development

• Regular one‑to‑ones with your manager.
• Mentoring scheme and supportive team environment.
• Job‑relevant training and development opportunities.

Benefits and Conditions

Full‑time post (35 hours per week) from 1 December 2025 until 30 November 2026.
Salary: £28 031 – £31 236 per annum (Grade 4). Fixed term until 30 November 2026.

Location: Hadyn Ellis Building and SPARC Building, Cathays Campus. Eligible for blended working – you can choose to spend some time working from a location of your choice (e.g., home).

Benefits include 40 days annual leave (incl. bank holidays), local pension scheme, cycle‑to‑work scheme, travel initiatives, and annual pay increments. Cardiff University is a proud Living Wage supporter.

Equality and Diversity

Cardiff University is committed to supporting and promoting equality, diversity, and creating a welcoming environment for all staff. We welcome applications from all members of the community regardless of sex, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, trans identity, relationship status, religion or belief, caring responsibilities, or age.

Application Information

Applications may be submitted in Welsh or English (no discrimination). Please attach evidence of meeting the essential criteria and name the document with the vacancy reference number (20750BR). For informal queries, contact Laura Cook, Wolfson Centre Manager (cookL5@cardiff.ac.uk).

Important

All applications will be considered under the School of Medicine’s state policy that candidates must provide evidence of meeting ALL essential criteria. Applications lacking written evidence will not progress.