Job Description

School of Psychology

Are you a researcher in early language or cognitive development with expertise in collecting and analysing data? Are you interested in innovative models of family support aiming to reduce inequalities? Would you like to contribute to an exciting, interdisciplinary research project focused on improving outcomes for children and families in Leeds?

The My First 1000 Days project aims to improve the development and life chances of children born into some of the most disadvantaged communities in Leeds. Funded by a substantial donation from an individual donor, it harnesses interdisciplinary expertise from research groups across the University and from a range of regional and international partners. It will determine the feasibility of implementing the Centering-Based Group Care model with new parents/primary caregivers and their 0–2-year-olds in Leeds. Outcomes will influence and inform national policy and practice on how supporting early parenting can strengthen language and cognitive development, healthy behaviours, and the flourishing of disabled children.

We are looking for a Research Fellow with a background in linguistics or psychology, working with quantitative and qualitative data, and with experience of working with families and/or practitioners in education or health.

This role will involve fieldwork to scope, plan, and monitor a support programme based on group care. You will work with caregivers of infants and toddlers, including expectant parents, as well as practitioners/professionals in health, social care, and early education. It will require sensitivity and the ability to forge relations of trust with stakeholder groups. 

You will produce study documents, recruit research participants/sites, and collect and analyse qualitative and quantitative data. You will work directly with and report to Professors Catherine Davies and Amanda Waterman, who are leading the Language and Cognitive Development strand of the project. The post holder will also be accountable to the PI of this project, Professor Jason Halford (School of Psychology, University of Leeds), and will collaborate with the wider project team.

Find out more about research in our School: https://medicinehealth.leeds.ac.uk/psychology-research-innovation

Working at Leeds 

We are a campus based community and regular interaction with campus is an expectation of all roles in line with academic and service needs and the requirements of the role.  We are also open to discussing flexible working arrangements. To find out more about the benefits of working at the University and what it is like to live and work in the Leeds area visit our Working at Leeds information page. 

As an international research-intensive university, we welcome students and staff from all walks of life.  We foster an inclusive environment where all can flourish and prosper, and we are proud of our strong commitment to student education.  Within the School of Psychology we are dedicated to diversifying our community and we welcome the unique contributions that individuals can bring, and particularly encourage applications from, but not limited to Black and Asian people, thosewho belong to a minority ethnic community; those who identify as LGBT+; and disabled people. Candidates will always be selected based on merit and ability.