We are seeking an Assistant Psychologist on a fixed term basis to join the Oxford Cognitive Approaches to Psychosis clinical psychology research group.
The post-holder will help deliver psychological treatments within randomised controlled trials testing interventions for people diagnosed with psychosis.
Feeling Safer is testing a six-month supported online programme for patients experiencing persecutory delusions. Sleeping Better is testing a 12-week remote intervention for helping improve sleep with patients with psychosis and young people at ultra-high risk of psychosis. The treatments will be delivered remotely as part of our National Virutal Clinic.
This post will provide excellent experience of engaging individuals with psychosis; delivery of specialist CBT interventions with close supervision from a clinical psychologist; working within NHS services; and clinical trials methodology. The post would suit individuals interested in going on to pursue a career in clinical psychology or clinical research.
You'll be part of the O-CAP clinical research group based in the Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford. We are a large clinical research team (40 people) working to understand why mental health problems happen and how they can be best treated psychologically. It is a thriving and supportive clinical research group that aims to carry out work to the highest standards for patients.
To deliver the Feeling Safer intervention and sleep intervention in line with the treatment manuals and study protocols, under the supervision of a clinical psychologist, as part of the Feeling Safer trial and Sleeping Better trial.
To establish a trusting and supportive relationship with participants. High levels of engagement are expected.
To contribute to the screening and recruitment of patients experiencing persecutory delusions (in the context of the treatment of psychosis) into the Feeling Safer trial and of patients at ultra-high risk of psychosis experiencing sleep difficulties into the Sleeping Better trial. This will involve: speaking to referrers regularly, including clinical team members and Research Delivery Network (RDN) staff; checking eligibility; and explaining the trial to potential participants. There will be monthly recruitment targets.
Completing eligibility screening assessments and seeking informed consent from patients.
To attend and contribute to study fidelity rating meetings, supervision, and regular training sessions with other study staff members.
Good record- keeping will be needed, including medical records and study databases.
The post is based in-person at the O-CAP team base in Oxford.
Please refer to the job description attached for a comprehensive list of duties.
Oxford Health is a great place to work and to be able to showcase the best of yourself when making an application please read the “candidate guide to making an application” and ensure your supporting statement is tailored to the role you are applying for and addresses any essential criteria.
As a Trust we provide physical, mental health and social care for people of all ages across Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Swindon, Wiltshire, Bath and Northeast Somerset. Our services are delivered at community bases, hospitals, clinics and people’s homes, delivering care as close to home as possible. Our vision is that no matter who you are or where you are, you will tell us that you receive: “Outstanding care delivered by an outstanding team”
Our values are: “Caring, safe and excellent”
At Oxford Health we offer a wide range of benefits designed to support your career and wellbeing. These include:
Excellent opportunities for career progression
Access to tailored individual and Trust wide learning and development
27 days annual leave, plus bank holidays, rising to 33 days with continuous service
NHS Discount across a wide range of shops, restaurants and retailers
Competitive pension scheme
Lease car scheme
Cycle to work scheme
Employee Assistance Programme
Mental Health First Aiders
Staff accommodation (please note waiting lists may apply)
Staff networking and support groups hosted by our Equality, Diversity & Inclusion team
The primary base will be in the Oxford Cognitive Approaches to Psychosis (O-CAP) team in the Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford.
Training will be provided in the both treatments. No experience with delivering therapy is required.
Interested applicants will find the type of work described in these two publications:
Freeman, D., Emsley, R., Rosebrock, L., Morrison, A., Chapman, K., Common, S., ... & Waite, F. (2025). Efficacy of a 6-month supported online programme (Feeling Safer) for the treatment of persecutory delusions: protocol for a randomised controlled trial. BMJ open, 15(6), e104580.
Waite, F., Černis, E., Kabir, T., Iredale, E., Johns, L., Maughan, D., ... & Freeman, D. (2023). A targeted psychological treatment for sleep problems in young people at ultra-high risk of psychosis in England (SleepWell): a parallel group, single-blind, randomised controlled feasibility trial. The Lancet Psychiatry, 10(9), 706-718.
** In your application, please answer the following 2 questions (200 words max):
1. Why do you wish to work on clinical trials for people with psychosis?
2. What psychological research in mental health have you found inspiring?
We hope that the advert has given you a clear understanding of the skills we are seeking and the opportunity at hand. You will need to use the “supporting statement” element of your application form to demonstrate your suitability for this role and you should refer to the job description, person specification and the guidance notes attached to this role to help you tailor your application.
The essential and desirable criteria will be used to shortlist for interview, and you should ensure that you refer to these within your application to increase your chances of being selected for interview.
We are aware that some candidates may choose to use AI tools to support their application. We kindly remind applicants that submissions should remain an honest and accurate representation of their experience and must take care to ensure the use of AI tools does not generate an application that does not accurately reflect their knowledge, skills and values.
