Please note that this job is open only to current members of staff of Cardiff University who are eligible for redeployment. Internal Redeployment Only - Research Assistant School of Psychology We are seeking to recruit an enthusiastic Research Assistant to support an NIHR-funded clinical trial investigating home-based transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) as a treatment for depression in the NHS. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness, safety, and feasibility of home-based tDCS for individuals with major depressive disorder (MDD). As a Research Assistant, you will be responsible for participant recruitment, data collection, and study administration. You will have a key role in the day-to-day running of the study. You will be interviewing participants, seeing participants in follow up, coordinating their tDCS sessions, and maintaining accurate research records. This post will provide hands-on experience in clinical trials, brain stimulation technologies, and mental health treatments. The ideal candidate will have experience in participant-facing research, a driving licence / access to vehicle as the role involves travelling to the participants’ home, excellent organizational skills, and a keen interest in mental health and novel treatment approaches. They will work closely with the wider research team, including clinicians, trial coordinators, and patient and public involvement (PPI) representatives. This is an opportunity to contribute to this cutting-edge clinical trial that will inform future clinical practice and to work alongside a team dedicated to advancing treatment for depression. Key responsibilities: Participant recruitment and screening: assist in identifying and recruiting participants; conduct eligibility screening and informed consent procedures in line with ethical guidelines. Participant follow up and support: schedule and coordinate treatment sessions; provide real-time video conference supervision during sessions; maintain follow up visits with participants. Data collection: accurately record and maintain research data in compliance with data protection regulations; assist in managing and organising electronic and paper-based records. Quality assurance: ensure all study activities comply with Good Clinical Practice (GCP), ethical guidelines, and institutional policies; maintain confidentiality and participant safety throughout the study; assist in preparing documentation for ethics committee and monitoring review Research: Contribute to the preparation of research publications; support dissemination of study findings. Administrative support: assist in ordering and managing equipment. For informal enquiries, please contact Prof Neil Harrison via email on HarrisonN4@cardiff.ac.uk. This role may occasionally require evening and weekend work, for which you will receive time off during the week as compensation. This post is part time (17.5 hours per week), fixed term for 26 months and available from 1st October 2025. It is based at CUBRIC, Maindy Road, Cardiff. 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. Salary: £33,951 - £36,636 per annum, pro-rata (Grade 5). Appointments to roles at Cardiff University are usually made at bottom of scale unless in exceptional circumstances. Cardiff University offers many excellent benefits, including 45 days annual leave (pro rata) (incl. bank holidays), local pension scheme, a cycle to work scheme and other travel initiatives, annual increments within the pay scale, and more. It's an exciting and vibrant place to work with many different challenges and is a proud Living Wage supporter. Business needs will require some degree of office-based working but the balance of time can be spent in the office or remotely (subject to agreement with the line manager). Closing date: Thursday, 2 October 2025 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. Applications may be submitted in Welsh, and an application submitted in Welsh will not be treated less favourably than an application submitted in English. 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 Main Duties To contribute to research and carry out supporting work that helps lead to the delivery of an NIHR-funded clinical trial investigating home-based transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) as a treatment for depression in the NHS and publishing of high-quality research. To pursue excellence in clinical research and to inspire others to do the same. To undertake research, e.g. by planning, preparing, setting up, conducting and recording the outcome of a clinical trial investigating home-based transcranial direct current stimulation. Actively participate within the research group, communicating and presenting research at meetings, through publications and other recognised avenues as appropriate, ensuring information is communicated to internal and external partners To contribute and support research publications and presentations as required To contribute and support research funding bids as required To analyse and communicate complex ideas, concepts and data using appropriate methods and packages To resolve issues and support colleagues in devising procedures required to ensure accurate and timely reporting To generate research output and contribute to the development of independent and original ideas as appropriate To maintain and update area of specialist knowledge, researching and critically appraising relevant literature within the area. Specific Duties Participant recruitment and screening: assist in identifying and recruiting participants; conduct eligibility screening and informed consent procedures in line with ethical guidelines. Participant follow up and support: schedule and coordinate treatment sessions; provide real-time video conference supervision during sessions; maintain follow up visits with participants. Data collection: accurately record and maintain research data in compliance with data protection regulations; assist in managing and organising electronic and paper-based records. Quality assurance: ensure all study activities comply with Good Clinical Practice (GCP), ethical guidelines, and institutional policies; maintain confidentiality and participant safety throughout the study; assist in preparing documentation for ethics committee and monitoring review Administrative support: assist in ordering and managing equipment. Other To participate in School administration and activities to promote the School and its work to the wider University and the outside world To undergo personal and professional development that is appropriate to and which will enhance performance. To ensure that an understanding of the importance of confidentiality is applied when undertaking all duties To abide by the University policies on Health and Safety and Equality and Diversity Any other duties not included above, but consistent with the role. IMPORTANT NOTE TO CANDIDATES: It is the University’s policy to use the person specification as a key tool for short-listing and we only invite candidates to interview who clearly evidence that they meet (or partially meet) each of the essential criteria. During the application process you will be asked to attach a supporting statement. This statement must outline how you meet the criteria below and we recommended formatting this by using each criteria as a sub-heading and providing your relevant experience/evidence below each sub-heading. It is crucial that you save your supporting statement with the vacancy number (eg. 1234BR) in the filename as failure to do so may result in it being omitted from your application. Essential Criteria Qualifications and Education BSc degree in Psychology, Neuroscience, Biomedical Sciences, or closely related discipline, or equivalent experience Knowledge, Skills and Experience Experience in participant-facing clinical research, including recruitment, interviewing individuals with mental health disorders, and informed consent procedures. Excellent organizational and multitasking skills to manage study visits, equipment logistics, and videoconferencing platforms. Proven ability to analyse complex information and summarise appropriately Communication and Team Working Excellent communication, relationship and team working skills, being able to working independently as well as collaboratively within a research team Knowledge and understanding of equality and diversity issues within a diverse and multicultural environment. Driving licence / access to vehicle as the role involves traveling to the participants’ home Other Knowledge and interest in working with people with mental health disorders. Desirable Criteria Experience in working in clinical trials or large-scale mental health research studies with an understanding of trial protocols and regulatory requirements. Experience maintaining and organizing research documentation, both electronic and paper-based. Proven ability to work without close supervision