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The department of Psychology are looking to recruit a Graduate Research Assistant in AI to Digital Mental Health Solutions.
This new full‑time post is available from 1 December 2025 until 1 December 2026 in the Department of Psychology.
This role can be based anywhere in the UK or it can be offered under a hybrid working arrangement – some time on campus and some from home.
We welcome applications from candidates interested in working part‑time hours (minimum 0.8 FTE) or job‑sharing arrangements.
About the role
We are looking for an innovative Graduate Research Assistant to pioneer the intersection of Generative AI and behavioural science, aiming to transform mental health care. You would join a team aspiring to leverage cutting‑edge AI models to refine and elevate the efficiency of mental health interventions.
Our objectives are two‑fold: to study how AI systems can cost‑effectively optimise mental health training and support, and to harmonise AI models with human treatment delivery to produce an ethical, widely acceptable and scalable treatment model.
The PATH-AI: Psychological Advancements Through Human‑AI Collaboration Group is an international group of leading mental health researchers and clinicians focussed on using technology to produce novel solutions to global mental health challenges. Our members include senior academics and researchers from Exeter, the Human Sciences Research Council (HSCR), Oxford, Bristol, UCLA, and Harvard.
Our top priorities are to:
* Use ML/AI to characterise and evaluate models of mental health provider skill/competency and predict optimal treatment performance indicators.
* Drive a step‑change in scalable mental health provision using AI systems to create novel workforce efficiencies. We will utilise ML/AI to ensure rapid, cost‑effective, high‑impact workforce solutions to international gaps in specialist mental health providers.
* Facilitate information exchange. We will share information between our established national and international channels. These include policymakers, NGOs, international partners, private companies, and the broader public.
About you
The successful applicant will be able to present information on research progress and outcomes, communicate complex information, orally, in writing and electronically, and prepare proposals and applications to external bodies.
Applicants will be educated to first degree level or possess an equivalent qualification/experience in a related field of study or equivalent experience and be able to demonstrate sufficient knowledge in the discipline and of research methods and techniques to work within established research programmes.
The post‑holder will help coordinate research in this groundbreaking area, by evaluating the efficacy of AI models (especially large language models [LLMs]) in capturing the nuances of therapist competencies and predicting client treatment outcomes, using existing real‑world data from mental health treatment. Results will be summarised for internal and external dissemination. Your contributions will be pivotal in shaping this research agenda, with the work being shared both within our research community and beyond.
Please ensure you read the Job Description and Person Specification for full details of this role by clicking on the attachment.
Why our staff love working here
* Flexible working opportunities
* 41 days annual leave (including bank holidays)
* Actively inclusive organisation ensuring equality and fairness for all
* Sector leading policies around maternity, adoption and shared parental leave (up to 26 weeks full pay), paternity leave (up to 6 weeks full pay) and a Fertility Treatment Policy
* Multiple wellbeing and health initiatives for staff
* Onsite gyms on all of our campus’ and a cycle to work scheme
* Sustainability and the environment being at the heart of what we do
* Beautiful campus environment when working from either Exeter or Penryn
* Inspiring research that really makes a difference to the world
Further information
Please contact Professor Heather O’Mahen, H.OMahen@exeter.ac.uk
The starting salary will be from £33,951 on Grade E, depending on qualifications and experience.
The deadline for applications is 23:59 on 20 November 2025.
Seniority level
* Entry level
Employment type
* Full‑time
Job function
* Research
* Higher Education
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