Senior Research Officer, Department Of Psychology

Department

We are seeking to appoint a full-time Postdoctoral Researcher for a three-year (or until 31 August 2029 at the latest) fixed‑term post in the Department of Psychology at the University of Essex. The postholder will join the Leverhulme Trust‑funded project led by Professor Miroslav Sirota.

This ambitious, theory‑driven project examines how people across countries judge whether antibiotics are needed and how these judgements are shaped under uncertainty. Using a signal‑detection framework, it combines four large‑scale cross‑cultural online experiments in nationally representative samples across ten countries with experimental tests of information designed to improve antibiotic‑related judgements. The project will identify key mechanisms and generate evidence to support more accurate and sustainable antibiotic use.

We are a Psychology Department with a strong commitment to research and an inclusive academic environment. We rank in the top 20 in the UK for research power in  and in the top 125 worldwide and top 25 in the UK for psychology in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings by Subject 2026, and we hold an Athena SWAN Silver Award in recognition of our work to promote gender equality.

The successful candidate will play a major role in delivering the project. They will review literature, co‑develop study designs, procedures, and materials, computerise experiments, support the coordination of large‑scale online studies, contribute to data collection, preparation, and analysis, write and edit research papers, and present findings at conferences.

This is an excellent opportunity to take on substantial responsibility within a high‑profile international project and to make a leading contribution to publications and project delivery.

Although cross‑cultural in scope, the project will be conducted from the University of Essex in the UK using online methods and existing international collaborations, and no overseas fieldwork or routine travel is required for the core duties of the post.

You will be able to demonstrate research skills commensurate with your career stage in literature review, study design, protocol development, ethics, survey and experiment implementation, management of large‑scale recruitment and online data collection, statistical analysis, and publication in internationally excellent journals.

We are particularly seeking a candidate with experience in supporting substantial research projects or large‑scale studies, including coordinating study procedures, overseeing data collection, and maintaining high standards of organisation and research quality. Strong written and verbal communication skills, and the ability to work both independently and collaboratively are essential.

The successful candidate will be expected to show initiative, strong project management skills, and the capacity to contribute at a level appropriate to an advanced postdoctoral appointment.

Applicants should submit a CV and covering letter outlining how they meet the criteria for this role. Full details regarding the exact requirement can be found on the cover sheet of the attached job pack.

At the University of Essex, internationalism and diversity are central to who we are and what we do. We are committed to being a cosmopolitan, internationally oriented university that is welcoming to staff and students from all countries, faiths and backgrounds, where you can find the world in one place.

Our Colchester campus based Faith Centre hosts regular services, meetings, and events organised by our chaplains and faith representatives.