The School of Psychology is seeking a Postdoctoral Research Associate to join the team on a fixed-term contract.
About The School
The School of Psychology is a vibrant, research-active community with expertise spanning a wide range of psychological disciplines. We are leaders in innovative, evidence-based research that delivers real-world impact across four key areas:
* Developing: Investigating psychological mechanisms underlying child and adolescent mental health
* Performing: Understanding adaptation to complex and high-demand environments
* Ageing: Exploring cognition and mobility across the life span
* Changing: Designing interventions that promote health and support behaviour change
About The Role
We are offering an exciting opportunity for a Postdoctoral Research Associate (PDRA) to join the Child, Adolescent and Parent Mental health (CHAMP) research group within the School of Psychology and specialise in an identified need in epidemiological design and analysis.
The vision of the group is to harness a wealth of regional, national and international longitudinal data to answer meaningful questions linked to parent and child mental health across generations and around the world.
The post will bring unique skill sets and dedicated research time to enable a durable epidemiological backbone for developmental science, embedding epidemiology at the design stage rather than post‑hoc analysis.
Our unique vision for epidemiology within a developmental science lens is to integrate insights from lived experience and detailed observations of behaviours (a core strength of developmental psychology) to analysis and interpretation of large population cohort studies.
Aims
* Design‑first epidemiology to improve output quality without new data collection costs
* Lived experience‑informed modelling that integrates qualitative insight and lived experience into analytic decisions.
The post will include opportunity to lead identified publications/analysis (outlined below) utilising the groups access to existing secondary data and develop and adapt their own research questions and papers.
Potential Papers Include
* Mapping prevention pathways from perinatal mental health to child outcomes using counterfactual modelling to project impact of identifying and support women in UK, Brazil and Chile. The post will have with opportunities to spend time in Latin America working on local cohort data.
* Exploring the prevention potential of strengthening family interactions to break cycles of intergenerational patterns of mental and physical health utilising multi-generation birth cohorts such as ALSPAC (Current research | Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children | University of Bristol), Supporting and building on existing PhD and D Clin Psych student projects in specific areas
* Chronic pain and endometriosis (with Dr Jasmine Hearn)
* Parent depression and anxiety with researchers in Kings College London (with Dr Iryna Culpin).
* Prevention potential of increasing emotional health in primary schools: The post will also support analysis of real-world data to explore potential impact of MMU's unique School Wellbeing Project: Psychology Student led Emotional Health programme in Greater Manchester Primary Schools OSF | School Wellbeing Project : Psychology Student led Emotional Health programme in Greater Manchester Primary Schools with Dr Jennifer McGahan.
The post will also contribute to future research programme design, support the preparation of competitive funding bids and the appointed PDRA will be given dedicated time to identify and apply for an appropriate external fellowship supported by Professor Pearson who has mentored successful externally funded Postdocs from WT and UKRI.
Key Skills And Experiences
Applicants should hold a PhD in epidemiology, public health, quantitative psychology, developmental science or a related discipline and relevant post‑doctoral experience in analysis of longitudinal data sets and incorporation of co-design. Candidates must demonstrate strong skills in research design, epidemiological concepts, quantitative analysis and patient public involvement and co‑design.
To learn more about the role and essential criteria, please refer to the Job Description provided below.
Application Process
* To apply, please submit a CV and a covering letter outlining your suitability via the application portal.
* Your cover letter should address the job requirements, highlighting how you meet them, or where you may need training or support.
* For informal enquiries about the role, please contact Professor Rebecca Pearson r.pearson@mmu.ac.uk
Assessment Process
* Interviews for shortlisted candidates will be held early June
* Shortlisted applicants will be asked to complete an assessment task involving epidemiological design and a brief written summary, followed by a panel interview.
Closing Date
The closing date for applications is 13th May 2026. Interviews will be scheduled shortly after the closing date.
Manchester Metropolitan University fosters an inclusive culture of belonging that promotes equity and celebrates diversity. We value a diverse workforce for the innovation and diversity of thought it brings and welcome applications from local and international communities, including those from Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic backgrounds, disabled people, and LGBTQ+ individuals.
We support a range of flexible working arrangements, including hybrid and tailored schedules, which can be discussed with your line manager. If you require reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process or in your role, please let us know so we can provide appropriate support. Our commitment to inclusivity includes mentoring programmes, accessibility resources, and professional development opportunities to empower and support underrepresented groups.
Manchester Met is a Disability Confident Leader and, under this scheme, aims to offer an interview to disabled people who apply for the role and meet the essential criteria as listed in the attached Job Description for that vacancy.
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Documents
* 000007.1 Research Associate Grade 8 rp.pdf (71.34 KB)
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