Research Assistant (Hub for Metabolic Psychiatry)

The University of Edinburgh

Contract type
Fixed Term - Part Time
Closing date
11 Sep 2025 12:00 AM
Location
The Chancellor's Building, Edinburgh, EH16 4SB, GB
Salary
£34,610 - £39,906 per annum, pro-rata

We are looking for an enthusiastic Research Assistant to join the Hub for Metabolic Psychiatry and support world-leading research on the relationship between metabolism and severe mental illness.

The Opportunity:

This is an exciting opportunity for an ambitious and self-motivated researcher to join a highly multidisciplinary research team, and to develop their research skills for further training such as a PhD or DClinPsy. The Hub for Metabolic Psychiatry, funded by UKRI and based at the University of Edinburgh, is one of six research Hubs across the UK comprising the UKRI Mental Health Platform. We are seeking a Research Assistant to support active clinical research studies within the Hub, principally the METPSY research study. This post, funded by the Galashan Trust, will involve working with people with major depression, bipolar, and schizophrenia (as well as people without mental health conditions) to help recruit participants and coordinate data collection. The post holder will be provided training, support, and mentorship for career development.

This post is advertised as part-time (0.5 FTE, 17.5 hrs per week) for 24 months, with the possibility of renewal subject to funding. 

Applicants are required to submit a CV and cover letter (maximum of 2 pages each) to be considered for the role.

Please note PVG is a requirement for this post for the successful candidate

Equity, diversity, and inclusion is a key priority for the team. We welcome applications from all qualified candidates, and particularly encourage applications from individuals belonging to minoritised ethnicities, LGBTQ+ individuals, and disabled individuals, as these are currently underrepresented in our area.

Your skills and attributes for success: 

  • A degree (or equivalent work experience) in a relevant subject, such as psychology, neuroscience, or metabolic science
  • A basic understanding of clinical research recruitment and data collection processes 
  • Strong attention to detail
  • Excellent organisational, communication, and IT skills
  • Interest in contributing to advances in mental health research

Click to view a copy of the full job description 

As a valued member of our team you can expect: 

  • A competitive salary
  • An exciting, positive, creative, challenging and rewarding place to work. 
  • To be part of a diverse and vibrant international community
  • Comprehensive Staff Benefits, such as a generous holiday entitlement, competitive pension schemes, staff discounts, and family-friendly initiatives. Check out the full list on our staff benefits page (opens in a new tab) and use our reward calculator to discover the total value of your pay and benefits 
     

Championing equality, diversity and inclusion

The University of Edinburgh holds a Silver Athena SWAN award in recognition of our commitment to advance gender equality in higher education. We are members of the Race Equality Charter and we are also Stonewall Scotland Diversity Champions, actively promoting LGBT equality. 

Prior to any employment commencing with the University you will be required to evidence your right to work in the UK. Further information is available on our right to work webpages (opens new browser tab).

On this occasion the University will not consider applicants requiring sponsorship for this role. International workers will therefore only be able to take up this role if they can demonstrate an alternative right to work in the UK. 

Key dates to note

The closing date for applications is 11 September 2025.

Unless stated otherwise the closing time for applications is 11:59pm GMT. If you are applying outside the UK the closing time on our adverts automatically adjusts to your browsers local time zone.