Research Assistant

Job Overview

We are seeking a motivated and well‑organised part‑time (0.3 FTE) Research Assistant to support data collection and study coordination for research exploring links between nutrition, the gut microbiome, sleep, cognition and mental health.

The post will support Professor Kathrin Cohen Kadosh's research within the School of Psychology, including Surrey's contribution to the Horizon Europe NUTRIMIND project. The Research Assistant will help oversee data collection and data‑flow activities, including participant recruitment and follow‑up, questionnaire tracking, sleep‑watch data, supplement adherence, stool‑sample collection, study logs, data checks and ethics/GDPR documentation. The post will also support ongoing work on prebiotic supplementation and perimenopausal symptoms, where participants complete online questionnaires, wear sleep‑tracking devices, take a dietary supplement and provide a stool sample.

This is a part‑time role, and some tasks can be carried out flexibly/remotely. However, the postholder will be expected to be an active member of the lab, attend relevant lab meetings, contribute to the day‑to‑day running of the research, and help with general lab tasks as needed. This role would suit an early‑career researcher who is organised, careful, reliable and interested in gaining practical experience in human research, nutrition, mental health and gut‑brain science.

Some prior research training or experience is required, but further training will be provided.

• A degree or equivalent experience in psychology, nutrition, neuroscience, health sciences, public health, biosciences or a related area.
• Some prior research training or experience, for example through a dissertation, research placement, internship, lab role or data‑collection role.
• Excellent organisational skills and attention to detail.
• Good interpersonal and communication skills, including confidence communicating with research participants.
• Ability to work carefully with sensitive participant information.
• Good IT skills, including use of spreadsheets and online data‑collection systems.
• Ability to follow study protocols accurately.
• Reliability, initiative and a calm, professional approach to problem‑solving.
• An interest in nutrition, mental health, sleep, cognition, women's health and/or gut‑brain research.
• Understanding of research ethics, confidentiality and data protection, or willingness to develop this knowledge with training.

In return we offer a generous pension, relocation assistance where appropriate, flexible working options including job share and blended home/campus working locations (dependent on work duties), access to world‑class leisure facilities on campus, a range of travel schemes and supportive family‑friendly benefits including an excellent on‑site nursery.