At a Glance
- Tasks: Support impactful research projects to enhance mental health for children and young people.
- Company: Join Anna Freud, a leading mental health charity dedicated to improving wellbeing.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, pension scheme, and wellbeing support like free counselling.
- Other info: Flexible hybrid working environment with a passionate team focused on positive change.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in mental health while developing your research skills.
- Qualifications: Proficiency in R programming and experience in research and data analysis required.
The predicted salary is between 35649 - 35649 £ per year.
Location: London / Manchester
Application Deadline: Monday, August 10, 2026, 12:00 PM
Positions Available: 1
Vacancy Type: Permanent/Full Time
Working Hours: 35 hours per week: Monday to Friday, 09:00-17:00. Part-time (minimum of 28 hours per week) will be considered.
Salary: £35,649 per annum FTE, plus 6% contributory pension scheme.
Are you a passionate and skilled researcher looking for your next challenge? Anna Freud is seeking a Research Officer to join our world-leading mental health charity for children, young people and their families. Our mission is to close the gap in wellbeing and mental health by advancing, translating, delivering, and sharing the best science and practice with everyone who impacts the lives of children, young people and their families.
Our EDI commitment: We are dedicated to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace and being an equal opportunities employer, whereby equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) are core to our recruitment practices. All candidates who meet the job criteria will be considered for employment, regardless of ethnic origin, religion or belief, gender, sexual orientation, disability, age, socioeconomic background, caring responsibilities and care experience.
As a Disability Confident employer, disabled candidates meeting our criteria are guaranteed an interview. Applications are submitted anonymously and assessed using a fair evaluation process based on the criteria set out in our job profiles.
What we offer: We offer a range of staff benefits, including wellbeing offers such as free counselling through our Employee Assistance Programme. We are proud to have staff-led Diversity Networks offering unique opportunities for learning, connection and impact.
You will join a passionate and collaborative team of 13, including researchers and analysts, in the Child Outcomes Research Consortium (CORC). CORC brings together organisations and individuals committed to using and improving evidence to improve children and young people’s mental health and wellbeing. You will have the opportunity to develop your research project skills, including data programming/coding and analysis skills.
What you’ll do: You will play a key role in delivering and supporting research projects that improve the mental health and wellbeing of children and young people, using quantitative and qualitative research methods, data analysis, and stakeholder collaboration to generate evidence, evaluate outcomes, and inform best practice across services and schools.
What you’ll bring: R programming skills are essential for this role, as you will use R extensively to clean, validate, analyse, and report on data across a range of research and evaluation projects.
- Proficiency in R for data analysis and reporting.
- Experience conducting research and analysing data, including writing reports.
- Quantitative and qualitative research skills.
- Effective communication skills to build and maintain relationships with participants and partner organisations.
- Ability to coordinate tasks across multiple projects effectively.
Key details:
- Hours: full-time (35 hours per week), Monday to Friday, 09:00-17:00. Part-time (minimum of 28 hours per week) will be considered.
- Salary: £35,649 per annum FTE, plus 6% contributory pension scheme.
- Location: hybrid working (a mixture of onsite and home/remote working). Staff are working onsite for at least 20% of their working hours, either at our London site or our Northern Hub.
- Contract type: permanent.
Next steps: Closing date for applications: midday (12pm) Monday 10 August 2026. Please note that due to high application volumes, this vacancy will close early when we reach 100 applications. We encourage you to apply promptly and to keep an eye on our future vacancies for more opportunities.
Notification of interview: shortlisted applicants will be notified no later than Thursday 13 August 2026. During shortlisting, applicants are anonymously assessed using the criteria visible in the Job Profile. Please note: due to the high volume of applications received, we will not be able to provide feedback to unsuccessful applicants.
Interviews: will be held remotely on 25 and 26 August 2026.
Questions? Please email with any job enquiries, or if you require assistance or experience difficulties when applying. Please note that successful candidate(s) will be asked to evidence their Right to Work in the UK post-job offer – we do not hold a sponsor license therefore we are unable to provide Visa sponsorship.
Research Officer in London employer: THE ANNA FREUD CENTRE
At Anna Freud, we pride ourselves on being a leading mental health charity that not only champions the wellbeing of children and young people but also fosters a supportive and inclusive work environment. Our flexible working arrangements, comprehensive benefits including an early finish on Fridays and free counselling services, alongside our commitment to diversity and employee growth, make us an exceptional employer for those looking to make a meaningful impact in the mental health sector.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Research Officer in London
✨Get Involved in Local Psychological Communities
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If you’re a recent graduate, don’t forget to tap into your university’s career services. They often have exclusive partnerships with organisations looking for fresh talents, plus access to internships that could lead to full-time roles.
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Create a blog or a LinkedIn page where you share insights about psychology theories or current trends. This not only showcases your knowledge but can help you connect with like-minded professionals and potential employers.
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When you find a role like Research Officer at THE ANNA FREUD CENTRE, make your application stand out by applying directly through our website. This gives you a better chance to be seen by hiring managers. Plus, tailor your application to highlight your passion for psychology and relevant experiences!
We think you need these skills to ace Research Officer in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV with Relevant Experience:In psychology, it’s crucial to highlight your relevant experience, such as internships, research projects, or any volunteer work in mental health settings. Make sure to include specific roles and responsibilities, demonstrating how you've applied theoretical knowledge in real-world situations—this is what gets us excited!
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Personal Statement: Make It Count:Your personal statement is your chance to shine! Share insights about why you’re passionate about psychology and how this role at THE ANNA FREUD CENTRE connects with your career goals. Be honest about your motivations and what you hope to learn—this is key for a full-time position and helps us gauge your fit in our team!
Focus on Soft Skills in Your Application:Psychology is as much about people as it is about theories. Highlight your soft skills such as communication, empathy, and teamwork in your application. These traits are essential in our field and will help us see how you connect with others, so don't hold back in showcasing them!
How to prepare for a job interview at THE ANNA FREUD CENTRE
✨Brush Up on Key Psychological Theories
Before stepping into the interview with THE ANNA FREUD CENTRE, revisit key psychological theories that are relevant to the role, like cognitive behavioural therapy or humanistic psychology. Expect to discuss these during your interview, as they want to see how you apply theory to practice.
✨Bring Real-Life Case Studies
Prepare a couple of case studies or anecdotes that demonstrate your practical experience in psychology. Whether it’s handling a difficult client or designing a psychological assessment, these stories will highlight your skills and help you stand out in your full-time interview.
✨Familiarise Yourself with Ethical Guidelines
Get comfy with the ethical guidelines set by the British Psychological Society. Be ready to chat about how you ensure ethical practice in your work, as this is crucial in the psychology field, and THE ANNA FREUD CENTRE will be keen to know you’ve got integrity.
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Since you're going for a full-time gig, it’s essential to demonstrate your commitment to ongoing professional development. Bring up any workshops, courses, or readings you’ve engaged in recently. This shows THE ANNA FREUD CENTRE that you’re not just there for a job, but genuinely passionate about the field.
