Assistant Psychologist

Assistant Psychologist

Job summary
An exciting opportunity has arisen for an enthusiastic and motivated Assistant Psychologist to join the NIHR HealthTech Research Centre (HRC) in Brain Injury at Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

Based within one of the UK's leading academic neuroscience centres, this post offers a unique opportunity to combine specialist clinical neuropsychology experience with involvement in nationally significant research, healthcare innovation and service development.

You will contribute to clinical, research and innovation activities across the NIHR HealthTech Research Centre in Brain Injury and the Division of Neurosciences, supporting patients with acquired brain injury, hydrocephalus, stroke and other neurological conditions. Alongside supervised clinical neuropsychology work, the post holder will make an important contribution to projects evaluating digital cognitive assessment technologies and collaborative initiatives across the NIHR HealthTech Research Centre Network.

This post offers an excellent foundation for psychology graduates wishing to develop a career in Clinical Psychology, Clinical Neuropsychology, Clinical Research or Healthcare Innovation within an internationally recognised clinical and academic environment. We welcome applications from enthusiastic psychology graduates who are keen to develop their skills across clinical practice, research and innovation and are passionate about improving outcomes for people with neurological conditions.

Main duties of the job
You will support a broad range of clinical, research and innovation activities within the NIHR HealthTech Research Centre in Brain Injury and the Division of Neurosciences.

Working under the supervision of a Senior Clinical Psychologist, you will assist with neuropsychological assessment, outcome monitoring and clinical data collection within specialist neuroscience services.

The role will also involve supporting research studies, service evaluation and healthcare innovation projects, including literature reviews, database management, stakeholder engagement and the organisation of regional and national collaborative meetings and workshops.

You will work closely with clinicians, researchers, patient representatives, academic partners and industry collaborators to support the development and evaluation of innovative approaches to cognitive assessment and neurological care.

The NIHR HealthTech Research Centre (HRC) in Brain Injury is hosted by Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and brings together clinicians, researchers, patients, academic and industry partners to accelerate the development, evaluation and implementation of innovative technologies that improve outcomes for people with neurological conditions.

About us
Our Trust
Cambridge University Hospitals (CUH) NHS Foundation Trust comprises Addenbrooke's Hospital and the Rosie Hospital in Cambridge. With over 13,000 staff and over 1100 beds the priorities of the Trust focus on a quality service which is all about people - patients, staff and partners. Recognised as providing 'outstanding' care to our patients and rated 'Good' overall by the Care Quality Commissioner, is testament to the skill and dedication of the people who work here. CUH's values - Together - Safe, Kind, Excellent - are at the heart of patient care, defining the way all staff work and behave. The Trust provides accessible high-quality healthcare for the local people of Cambridge, together with specialist services, dealing with rare or complex conditions for a regional, national and international population.

CUH is committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive community - a place where we can all be ourselves. We value our differences and fully advocate and support an inclusive working environment where every individual can fulfil their potential. We want to ensure our people are truly representative of all the communities that we serve. We welcome applications for all positions in the organisation irrespective of people's age, disability, ethnicity, race, nationality, gender identity, sex, sexual orientation, religion or belief, marriage and civil partnership status, or pregnancy and maternity status or social economic background.

Job responsibilities
Please see the attached Applicant Information Pack (combined Job Description and Person Specification) for key duties and responsibilities.

Please note:- Internal applicants on permanent contracts can apply for this post as a secondment or fixed term contract. For secondments you must have the approval of your line manager before applying. If you are an internal applicant currently on a fixed term contract you are able to apply for this as a fixed term position.

This vacancy will close at midnight on 6th August 2026

Interviews are due to be held on 18th August 2026

Benefits to you
At Cambridge University Hospitals, we want to do all we can to support good working days. We offer development opportunities and a wide range of benefits, including on-site leisure facilities, shopping concourse and day nurseries. Our good work programme currently includes providing reduced cost Stagecoach bus travel to and from Cambridge University Hospital site. Park and Ride bus journeys between Babraham Road and Trumpington sites are free, as is the route to and from Cambridge train station and our hospitals. We also subsidise the cost of parking on site for eligible staff.

On CUH campus, hot food is available 24/7 and at a reduced cost for colleagues. Recently we launched the first of our staff pod break spaces. Located in the Deakin Centre, we have a purpose-created colleague-only caff, with free tea and coffee, a break space and private outside area for colleagues to rest, refuel and recharge. Just one of the ways we are working hard to support good working days at CUH.

CUH is committed to assisting employees in achieving a good work-life balance irrespective of role or personal circumstances. Flexible arrangements may include, but are not limited to, part-time working, job-share, term-time working and flexible start and finish times.

Please note if you would like to discuss the required hours of this role further, you should approach the contact given. In some cases, alternative working hours will be considered.

We welcome applications from the Armed Forces.

Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential

• 2:1 or higher degree in Psychology
• Eligibility for Graduate Membership of the BPS

Desirable

• Postgraduate qualification or study in a relevant field.

Experience
Essential

• Experience of working in a clinical healthcare setting.
• Experience supporting psychological assessments.
• Experience of managing challenging and distressing situations.
• Experience of undertaking research, including undergraduate or postgraduate research projects.
• Experience of working in a team environment.
• Experience of furthered CPD.

Desirable

• Relevant paid or voluntary work in clinical psychology, neuropsychology or neurological healthcare settings.
• Experience of neuropsychological assessments.
• Experience of working with cognitive disorders.
• Experience of collecting, managing and analysing research data.
• Experience of service evaluation, clinical audit or quality improvement.
• Experience of working with databases or electronic data capture systems.
• Experience of coordinating research, service improvement or healthcare projects and/or formal project management training.
• Experience of communicating research findings through presentations, posters or written reports.

Knowledge
Essential

• Knowledge of psychological theories and models relevant to clinical psychology practice.
• Knowledge of psychological assessment principles and procedures.
• Knowledge of research methods and evidence-based practice.
• Knowledge of multidisciplinary working and the role of psychology within healthcare teams.
• Working knowledge of IT systems and databases.

Desirable

• Knowledge of clinical neuropsychology and cognitive assessment.
• Knowledge of neurological conditions and cognitive disorders.
• Knowledge of literature relevant to neuropsychology services.
• Knowledge of research governance and ethical frameworks.
• Awareness of healthcare innovation and digital health technologies.

Skills
Essential

• Excellent organisational and time-management skills, with the ability to manage multiple clinical, research and innovation activities and competing priorities.
• Excellent written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills, including report writing, presentation skills and the ability to adapt communication appropriately for patients, carers, clinicians, researchers, industry partners and other stakeholders.
• Ability to work independently whilst managing a varied workload under appropriate clinical supervision and using initiative appropriately.
• Ability to establish, develop and maintain effective collaborative working relationships with patients, multidisciplinary teams, researchers, academic partners, industry partners and other external stakeholders.
• Ability to coordinate a range of clinical, research and innovation activities involving multiple stakeholders and partner organisations.
• Ability to work effectively in emotionally demanding situations whilst demonstrating empathy, professionalism and resilience.
• High level of analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to interpret complex clinical and research information.
• Ability to work sensitively with patients and families, communicate highly sensitive information appropriately, and maintain accurate clinical records in accordance with Trust and professional standards.

Desirable

• Ability to undertake statistical analysis and interpret research data.
• Ability to identify opportunities for service improvement or healthcare innovation and contribute to their development and implementation.

Additional Requirements
Essential

• Willingness and ability to travel to meetings and events across the UK where required.
• Commitment to working in accordance with relevant professional and ethical standards.
• Ability to accept and use supervision appropriately and effectively.
• A demonstrable interest in developing a career in clinical psychology, clinical neuropsychology, clinical research or healthcare innovation.
• The ability to understand and behave at all times towards patients, visitors and colleagues according to the Trust values of kind, safe and excellent.

Desirable

• Commitment to contributing to the advancement of clinical practice, research and healthcare innovation.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (opens in a new tab).