Job Description

The University of Oxford is a stimulating work environment, which enjoys an international reputation as a world-class centre of excellence. Our research plays a key role in tackling many global challenges, from reducing our carbon emissions to developing vaccines during a pandemic.

The Department of Psychiatry is based on the Warneford Hospital site in Oxford - a friendly, welcoming place of work with an international reputation for excellence. The Department has a substantial research programme, with major funding from Medical Research Council (MRC), Wellcome Trust and National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) and provides highly rated medical training in psychiatry. The Head of Department is Professor Belinda Lennox.

The Oxford Centre for Emerging Minds Research is a newly funded research centre that aims to conduct world class research that contributes to a world where differences between people are understood and accepted, strengths are capitalised on, and mental health difficulties are prevented or addressed early.

What We Offer

As an employer, we genuinely care about our employees' wellbeing and this is reflected in the range of benefits that we offer including:

An excellent contributory pension scheme

38 days annual leave

A comprehensive range of childcare services

Family leave schemes

Cycle loan scheme

Discounted bus travel and Season Ticket travel loans

Membership to a variety of social and sports clubs


The posts are available on a flexible hybrid basis. The minimum on-site time would be 2 days/week with occasional additional meetings in person.

About the Role

There are two posts available, 1 full time and 1 part time (80% FTE). They are available from 1 October 2025 and are funded for two years, in the first instance. The posts are based in the Department of Experimental Psychology, Life and Mind Building in Oxford.

You will be part of a project that aims to aims to work with neurodivergent children and young people, their families, and educators to develop a neurodiversity-affirming toolkit to explore children's character strengths, abilities, and potential across contexts. Embedding Artificial Intelligence and assistive technology, we aim to be at the forefront of equipping key stakeholders to identify, explore, and scaffold opportunities for strengths-based approaches that allow neurodivergent children and young people to achieve goals that are most meaningful to them. In the context of the early years, the team will work in partnership with caregivers, health care professionals and educators, to give young children a voice.

About You

You will have or be close to the completion of PhD/DPhil/DClin or other professional doctorate degree, together with relevant experience and sufficient specialist knowledge in a relevant subject area.

With knowledge of statistics and ability to use statistical packages for analysing data, you will have excellent communication skills and the ability to work co-operatively as part of a team. Experience of collecting data from, or working with, infants or young children, including individuals with developmental conditions or other special educational needs, and a professional, reassuring and supportive manner when interacting with young children and their parents is essential.

Experience of independently managing a discrete area of a research project would be desirable as would experience of actively collaborating in the development of research articles for publication.

Diversity

Committed to equality and valuing diversity
Our active Psychiatry People and Culture teams and initiatives including our values and behaviours framework, work to make the Department of Psychiatry as supportive, welcoming and inclusive as possible.

Application Process

You will be required to upload a covering letter/supporting statement, CV and the details of two referees as part of your online application. Please see the University pages on the application process at https://www.jobs.ox.ac.uk/application-process

The closing date for applications is 12:00 midday on 3 September 2025

Interviews will take place during week commencing 15 September and will be face to face.