2x Psychology Assistants (HUB)

This is an exciting opportunity to take on a new role as one of two Psychology Assistants, which will support the University in delivering a new high profile national project in schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and schizoaffective disorder funded by the Medical Research Council. They will co-ordinate recruitment of a new cohort, supporting the research team. The project is part of a new national initiative for research in severe mental illness and is a large multi-site research study led by Cardiff University in conjunction with Swansea University, Bristol University, Exeter University, Adferiad Recovery and Bipolar UK. The successful candidates will assist in a range of study-related tasks including recruitment and testing of people diagnosed with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and schizoaffective disorder including clinical interviews, cognitive assessments, acquisition of MRI and MEG brain imaging data, and general day to day activities associated with a large multidisciplinary
study., To assist in a range of study-related tasks including recruitment and testing of people diagnosed with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder or schizoaffective disorder, including clinical interviews, cognitive assessments, acquisition of MRI and MEG brain imaging data, and general day-to-day activities associated with a large multidisciplinary study. To provide comprehensive and professional support to the University and the Division of Psychological Medicine and Neurosciences.,

• To become familiar and proficient in research assessment methods (training provided).


• To recruit individuals with a diagnosis of schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder or bipolar disorder through new and existing channels.


• To undertake assessments of participants using structured clinical interviews with participants, to rate the severity of their symptoms and identify demographic and clinical characteristics of interest. Conduct cognitive assessments, either with in-person cognitive tasks or using specialised computer-based tools.


• To complete in-house MRI safety and operator training, then acquire structural and functional magnetic resonance imaging data on participants using a 3T MRI Scanner.


• To complete in-house safety and operator training in magnetoencephalography (MEG), then acquire functional data using MEG.


• To understand and convey project information, which may need careful explanation or interpretation.


• To establish productive relationships with key individuals (University colleagues and external contacts) to help improve the level of service the team provides to its customers.


• To ensure that participant recruitment targets are met, maintain confidentiality and professional standards and work as an effective member of the overall team effort.


• To participate in the regular team meetings by presenting progress updates (including, for example, numbers recruited, problems encountered) and contributing ideas to the recruitment strategy.


• To carry out administrative tasks such as keeping comprehensive and well-organised records if participant information, clinical, cognitive and neuroimaging data using electronic databases (e.g. Redcap), and other data collection, recording and maintaining records and data as required for the proficient running on the project, with supervision.


• To support and train others in the project team as required in the project procedures.


• To ensure compliance with legal and regulatory requirements in respect of equality and diversity, data protection, copyright and licensing, security, financial and other University policies, procedures and codes as appropriate. To undergo personal and professional development including Good Clinical Practice (GCP) Training for Research that is appropriate to the role and which will enhance performance.


• To work flexibly as part of a team to achieve the study objectives, adapting to new procedures, taking on new tasks consistent with the role, and facilitating the development of the study.


• To perform other duties occasionally which are not included above, but which will be consistent with the role.


General Duties

• Ensure that an understanding of the importance of confidentiality is applied when undertaking all duties.


• Abide by University policies and undergo appropriate personal and professional development.


• Perform other duties occasionally which are not included above, but which will be consistent with the role.


• Uphold the Professional Services Values & Behaviours or local equivalent.
  
  Candidates should have a degree in Psychology or a related field and experience of recruiting patients to research studies would be advantageous. The successful applicants will join the world-leading Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics and the Division of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences in Cardiff University., Qualifications and Education

1. A degree (2.1 or above) in Psychology or related subject and/or experience.
2. Proficiency in IT, including experience of using Email, Internet, Microsoft Office, SPSS (data entry and analysis).

Knowledge, Skills and Experience
3. Specialist knowledge within as many of the following:
i. Working with clinical or vulnerable populations
ii. Undertaking cognitive assessments
iii. Neuroimaging, including
a. MRI
b. MEG
vi. Data entry and use of databases such as excel, SPSS and/or Redcap
4. Knowledge of schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and schizoaffective disorder.
5. Experience of working in an administrative role or environment and ability to set up standard office systems and procedures, making improvements to these as appropriate.

Communication and Team working
6. Ability to communicate specialist and complex information effectively and professionally to a range of customers with varying levels of understanding.
7. Evidence of excellent organisational skills and ability to work well in a team.

Planning, Analysis and Problem Solving
8. Proven ability to work on own initiative and unsupervised to strict deadlines, planning, organising and setting priorities for own work appropriately.
9. Evidence of high level of accuracy and attention to detail.
10. Evidence of ability to solve problems using initiative and creativity; identify and propose practical solutions and to resolve problems where there are a range of potential options available monitoring priorities., 1. Experience of recruiting patients to research studies.
2. Possession of a full valid driving licence.
3. Fluency in Welsh, written and oral.
4. A good understanding of confidentiality and data security.
5. Experience of working in a higher education environment.
6. Experience of taking blood samples (phlebotomy) or willingness to undertake this activity after appropriate training.

Cardiff University is committed to supporting and promoting equality and diversity and to creating an inclusive working environment. We believe this can be achieved through attracting, developing, and retaining a diverse range of staff from many different backgrounds. We therefore welcome applicants from all sections of the community regardless of sex, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, trans identity, relationship status, religion or belief, caring responsibilities, or age. In supporting our employees to achieve a balance between their work and their personal lives, we will also consider proposals for flexible working or job share arrangements., Cardiff University is a signatory to the San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA), which means that in hiring and promotion decisions we will evaluate applicants on the quality of their research, not publication metrics or the identity of the journal in which the research is published. More information is available at: Responsible research assessment - Research - Cardiff University, Applications may be submitted in Welsh, and an application submitted in Welsh will not be treated less favourably than an application submitted in English.

This post is full-time (35 hours per week), available from 1st April 2024 and fixed term until 31st March 2027.

Salary: £26,444 - £29,605 per annum (Grade 4). Appointments to roles at Cardiff University are usually made at bottom of scale unless in exceptional circumstances.

The majority of roles at Cardiff University are currently operating under "blended working" arrangements, with staff having the flexibility to work partly from home and partly from the University campus depending on specific business requirements. Discussions around these arrangements can take place after the successful candidate has been appointed.

Cardiff University offers many excellent benefits, including 40 days annual leave (incl bank holidays), local pension scheme, a cycle to work scheme and other travel initiatives, annual increments within the pay scale, and more. It is an exciting and vibrant place to work, with many different challenges and is a proud Living Wage supporter.