Senior Postdoctoral Researcher: MARGINS

Department of Psychiatry, Warneford Hospital, Oxford OX3 7JX

The University of Oxford is a stimulating work environment, which enjoys an international reputation as a world-class centre of excellence. Our research plays a key role in tackling many global challenges, from reducing our carbon emissions to developing vaccines during a pandemic.

The Department of Psychiatry is based on the Warneford Hospital site in Oxford – a friendly, welcoming place of work with an international reputation for excellence. The Department has a substantial research programme, with major funding from Medical Research Council (MRC), Wellcome Trust and National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) and provides highly rated medical training in psychiatry. The Head of Department is Professor Belinda Lennox.

We are looking for a Senior Postdoctoral Researcher to join MARGINS (Mental health And Restrictions: Generating new INSights) in the Department of Psychiatry.

As an employer, we genuinely care about our employees’ wellbeing and this is reflected in the range of benefits that we offer including:

• An excellent contributory pension scheme
• 38 days annual leave
• A comprehensive range of childcare services
• Family leave schemes
• Discounted bus travel and Season Ticket travel loans
• Membership to a variety of social and sports clubs

The postholder will normally be expected to work on site for a minimum of three days per week, reflecting the importance of close collaboration with the wider MARGINS research team. The remaining working time may be undertaken flexibly/hybrid, subject to agreement with the line manager and the operational requirements of the project.

The post is full-time and funded for two years. It is based in the Department of Psychiatry at the Warneford Hospital. Applicants must be available to start by 1 February 2027 at the latest.

MARGINS is part of a research programme investigating the impact of proposed policy changes to online technology on children and young people. This comprises three complementary research streams and you will work across all three, providing senior quantitative and methodological leadership across the programme.

Working closely with Professor Mina Fazel, Dr Holly Bear, Dr Emma Soneson, the project's statistical lead and international collaborators, you will lead the development of research questions and analytical approaches within the agreed aims of MARGINS, generating original ideas and identifying opportunities for further analyses.

In addition, you will lead and develop complex quantitative analyses, using large-scale cross-sectional, longitudinal and international datasets and contribute to the interpretation and integration of findings and to high-quality research publications, reports and presentations.

You will hold a relevant PhD/DPhil in a health, behavioural or social science discipline (for example, psychology, epidemiology, public health or mental health research), with post-qualification research experience.

Experience of conducting research with adolescents aged approximately 12–18 years, with a focus on mental health and wellbeing and the ability is essential as is the ability to independently plan and manage a research project, including a research budget and to raise research funds through making grant applications.

Experience of, or demonstrable interest in, research relating to young people's digital environments and experiences, and/or population health would be desirable.

The closing date for applications is 12:00 midday on 16 November 2026
.