Psychology Assistant

Job title:

Psychology Assistant

Company

Cardiff University

Job description

AdvertPlease note that this job is open only to current members of staff of Cardiff University who are eligible for redeployment.Psychology Assistant
School of Psychology
Cardiff University Brain Research Imaging Centre (CUBRIC)We are looking to appoint a Psychology Assistant to work on a collaboration between Roche and the Cardiff University Brain Research Imaging Centre (CUBRIC) that will capitalise on CUBRIC’s unique ability to non-invasively quantify both macro and microscopic changes in grey matter (alongside white matter) to quantify and understand the early evolution of grey matter changes in patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD) and Alzheimer’s disease (AD).Candidates should hold a degree in Psychology or Neuroscience, possess a valid driving licence with access to a vehicle for travel to Llandough and St Davids hospitals, and have experience of dealing with human participants.As the biggest university in Wales – and a major employer, with more than 7,000 staff – we are an ambitious and innovative university located in a beautiful and thriving capital city. We can offer you the chance to work in a vibrant organisation, with great benefits and opportunities for progression.This post is part time, 21 hours per week to be worked Wednesday to Friday, and fixed-term until 31st July 2027.Salary: £27,344 – £30,505 per annum, pro-rata (Grade 4). It is not expected to appoint above the first point of the scale Grade 4.18, £27,344 per annum.Closing date: Tuesday, 14 January 2025Please be aware that Cardiff University reserves the right to close this vacancy early should sufficient applications be received.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.Job DescriptionJOB PURPOSE
You will contribute to the day-to-day running of the study, including the preparation of any necessary paperwork, the recruitment of participants (healthy individuals and patients with Parkinson’s /Alzheimer’s disease), and the actual testing of the participants, which will involve both cognitive /clinical assessment, as well as MRI scanning.MAIN DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• To become familiar and proficient in the research assessment methods (training provided).
• To recruit and ensure that participant recruitment targets are met, maintain confidentiality and professional standards and work as an effective member of the overall team effort.
• To assist in the scheduling of visits from patients and controls.
• Travel to Llandough and St Davids hospitals to meet participants. on average once per month (but this may vary according to recruitment rates)
• To participate in the regular team meetings by presenting progress updates (including, for example, numbers recruited, problems encountered) and contributing ideas to the recruitment strategy.
• To assist with the assessments of participants (patients and controls).
• To assist with the MRI scanning procedures in CUBRIC (following appropriate training)
• To input and store data in the relevant databases.
• You will be expected to understand and convey project information, which may need careful explanation or interpretation to help others understand.
• To carry out administrative tasks such as data collection, recording and maintaining records and data as required for the proficient running on the project, with supervision.
• To support and train others in the project team as required in the project procedures.
• To take reasonable care for the health and safety of yourself and of other persons who may be affected by your acts or omissions at work in accordance with the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, EC directives and the University’s Safety, Health and Environment Policies and procedures and to cooperate with the University on any legal duties placed on it as the employer.
• To ensure compliance with legal and regulatory requirements in respect of equality and diversity, data protection, copyright and licensing, security, financial and other University policies, procedures and codes as appropriate.
• You may be asked to perform other duties occasionally which are not included above, but which will be consistent with the role.

General Duties

• Abide by all University policies and undergo appropriate personal and professional development.
• Perform other duties which are not included above, but which will be consistent with the role.
• Uphold the Professional Services Values & Behaviours or local equivalent.

Please note: A Disclosure and Barring (DBS) check will be carried out for the successful candidate.Additional InformationHOW WE WILL SUPPORT YOU IN PERFORMING THIS ROLEWe want to support and develop you in the role, using a combination of the following to help you reach your full potential.1. Regular one-to-one meetings with your team leader.
2. An experienced and supportive team around you.
3. Support to undertake job-relevant training and development, as identified by your Line Manager. This could be informal or could be an apprenticeship leading to a formal qualification, such as Business administration NVQ.
4. A staff mentoring scheme.
5. Support to learn Welsh or to update language skills.Cardiff School of Psychology
We are recognised internationally for sustained excellence in research, impact and research led teaching. We are a large School with over 50 academic staff, over 600 undergraduates and 150 postgraduate students. In the last assessment the School attained the highest rating of ‘excellent’ for its teaching from the HEFCW Teaching Quality Assessment Panel. Many individuals in the School are leading figures in their research areas. In the last Research Excellence Framework we entered as a unit of over 80 staff with our colleagues in Psychological medicine. We were placed 2nd in our topic area across the UK. We have state of the art laboratories and experimental expertise across the range of psychology, and are currently building one of the largest and best equipped imaging centres in Europe (see: sites.cubric.cardiff.ac.uk). Our collective aim is to understand the psychological and biological foundations of behaviour at both individual and group levels. The research undertaken in the School ranges from ‘synapse to society’, and includes normal behaviour in development and adulthood, the breakdown of cognition after stress, trauma and in neurological and/or genetic conditions, as well as key psychological issues of broad importance to society, such as prejudice, reproductive health and understanding risk. The School also contributes to cross-disciplinary University Research Institutes in Neuroscience and Mental Health, Sustainable Places, and Energy Systems Research.Person SpecificationWe want to employ people with a wide variety of experiences. We welcome applications from all sections of the community regardless of sex, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, trans identity, relationship status, religion or belief, caring responsibilities, or age. We are particularly seeking applications from candidates who come from backgrounds that are underrepresented at the University, including people from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic communities.We are looking for a team player who will work with colleagues to provide a great service to staff and students. You don’t need to have worked for a University before; this is an opportunity to show your potential and start or continue your career at Cardiff University.This role may be an opportunity for you to build on your experience from working in a previous administrative role or environment, showing your transferable skills and aptitude to be successful in the role. You should be enthusiastic about developing your knowledge and skills to become a valued member of the team.Your application will be assessed against the following essential and desirable criteria for the role. Please copy and paste this section into a new document and give clear examples of how you can evidence meeting each criteria by writing under each one. You can draw on elements from any aspect of your life (e.g. work, home, education/qualifications or community life) as long as you focus on their relevance to the role.Please save your supporting statement in a separate document with the title [YOUR NAME-18411BR-JOB TITLE] and attach it to your application in the recruitment system.Please note that these are also the criteria shortlisted applicants will be assessed against at interview and/or by other means (e.g. a skills test).Essential CriteriaQualifications and Education * Degree in Psychology (2.1 minimum) or equivalent qualification and/or experience.

• IT Skills: ability to use Microsoft Word, Excel, Access, and email.

Knowledge, Skills and Experience * A good understanding of the principles involved in the psychological assessment of humans.

• The ability to liaise in a professional manner with a variety of staff and members of the public.
• Ability to use initiative and creativity to resolve problems.

Customer Service, Communication and Team Working * Excellent communication skills, proven ability to convey information which may require careful explanation or interpretation in a clear, accurate and sensitive manner.

• Proven ability to work as a team member and the ability to contribute to building team morale as an active member of the team.
• The ability to plan and prioritise own workload and work to strict deadlines.

Other * Good levels of accuracy and attention to detail.

• A willingness to be flexible regarding working hours to meet the needs of participants.

Desirable Criteria * A good understanding of data storage and protection.

Expected salary

£27344 – 30505 per year

Location

United Kingdom

Job date

Sat, 18 Jan 2025 23:21:42 GMT

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