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- Tasks: Lead behaviour-change initiatives to reduce speeding and engage with key stakeholders.
- Company: Join a national hub for behavioural research, co-led by UCL and the University of Edinburgh.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, 25 days' leave, and support for professional development.
- Other info: Flexible working arrangements and opportunities for travel within the UK.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on road safety while advancing your career in behavioural science.
- Qualifications: PhD in psychology or behavioural science with expertise in behaviour change models.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
Contract role: 24 months for the duration of the project (1st July 2026 – 30th June 2028).
About the role
We are seeking a high-performing Post-Doc Research Assistant to support the design, delivery and evaluation of a major behaviour-change initiative to reduce speeding while driving, as part of the ESRC-funded Behavioural Research UK (BR-UK) programme. This role is essential to ensure continuity, quality and full delivery of the programme.
Behavioural Research UK (BR-UK) is a national leadership hub designed to build capability, co-ordination and innovation in behavioural research across the UK. Co-led by the UCL Centre for Behaviour Change and the University of Edinburgh, BR-UK is funded through a £10 million ESRC investment and brings together leading researchers, government partners and public sector organisations to strengthen the UK’s behavioural science ecosystem. Its vision focuses on improving the quality, impact and integration of behavioural research through collaboration, capability-building and the translation of evidence into policy and practice.
The successful candidate will provide expertise in behaviour change, intervention design and stakeholder co-ordination, working closely with internal colleagues and external partners. The candidate will also have the opportunity to contribute to TRL’s wider research and consultancy activities throughout the fixed term. The successful candidate will be based at TRL Headquarters in Wokingham, Berkshire or Woolwich, London. You will be expected to attend either site when required, but we welcome flexible and hybrid working arrangements. You should be willing to travel within the UK for the delivery of the intervention and other stakeholder engagement activities.
Key responsibilities
- Lead the design and delivery of behaviour-change interventions aligned to programme objectives.
- Co-ordinate stakeholder engagement and manage relationships with internal teams and external partners (such as UCL, Driving for Better Business (DfBB), fleet organisations).
- Support the planning and implementation of data-collection activities throughout the development and deployment phases.
- Carry out analysis and lead programme reporting from mid-2027 onwards, producing high-quality insights, publications and outputs suitable for a range of stakeholder audiences.
- Contribute to knowledge-sharing and upskilling within the team, supporting wider business capability development in behavioural science and technical delivery.
What we’re looking for
Essential skills and experience
- PhD (or equivalent experience) in psychology, behavioural science or a closely related field, with a strong focus on behaviour change.
- Strong grounding in behaviour change, especially models such as COM-B and associated tools like the Behaviour Change Wheel.
- Experience in outward-facing relationship building and delivering research with organisations in applied settings such as commercial or public sector.
- Excellent communication skills and ability to distil complex issues into simple and compelling messages.
Desirable skills and experience
- Collaborative approach and ability to influence across teams and with external stakeholders.
- Background in other areas of behavioural sciences such as wider psychology (for example organisational psychology, transport psychology).
- Strong grounding in analysis methods for experimental designs such as regression, analysis of variance, and related statistical and machine learning techniques.
Benefits
Our comprehensive benefits package, competitive salary, 25 days' annual leave, matched pension, life assurance cover, group income protection, healthcare cash back scheme, support for professional memberships and study (and more) is designed to help you thrive personally and professionally.
Postdoctoral Research Assistant employer: TRL
Contact Detail:
TRL Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Postdoctoral Research Assistant
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the behavioural science field, especially those who might have insights into the role. Attend relevant events or webinars to meet potential colleagues and partners – you never know who might help you land that Postdoctoral Research Assistant gig!
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Prepare a portfolio or presentation that highlights your previous work in behaviour change and intervention design. When you get the chance to chat with hiring managers or during interviews, use this to demonstrate how you can contribute to the BR-UK programme.
✨Tip Number 3
Be proactive! Don’t just wait for job openings to pop up. Reach out directly to the team at TRL or related organisations to express your interest in their projects. A friendly email can go a long way in making you stand out from the crowd.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in being part of our mission to improve behavioural research in the UK. Let’s make it happen!
We think you need these skills to ace Postdoctoral Research Assistant
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in behaviour change and stakeholder engagement. We want to see how your skills align with the role, so don’t hold back on showcasing your relevant projects!
Showcase Your Communication Skills: Since excellent communication is key for this role, use your application to demonstrate how you can distil complex ideas into simple messages. We love seeing clear and compelling writing, so keep it engaging!
Highlight Your Research Experience: Don’t forget to emphasise your PhD or equivalent experience in psychology or behavioural science. We’re looking for someone who can lead research initiatives, so share any relevant projects or publications that showcase your expertise.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need about the role and our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at TRL
✨Know Your Behaviour Change Models
Make sure you brush up on key behaviour change models like COM-B and the Behaviour Change Wheel. Be ready to discuss how you've applied these in your previous work or research, as this will show your depth of knowledge and relevance to the role.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
Prepare to explain complex behavioural science concepts in simple terms. Think about examples where you've successfully communicated findings to non-experts, as this will demonstrate your ability to distil information effectively for various stakeholders.
✨Highlight Your Collaborative Experience
Since the role involves stakeholder engagement, come prepared with examples of how you've built relationships in past projects. Discuss any collaborative efforts with external partners or teams, showcasing your ability to influence and coordinate effectively.
✨Be Ready for Data Discussions
Expect questions about your experience with data collection and analysis methods. Brush up on your knowledge of experimental designs and statistical techniques, and be ready to share specific instances where you've used these skills to drive insights or inform decisions.