Clinical Fellow Research

University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust; Bristol; On-site; GBP 55,000 - GBP 63,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare provider in the UK is looking for a Clinical Fellow in Research for the Children and Young People’s Gender Service and Psychological Health Services. This role will involve advancing multi-disciplinary psychological research and quality improvement. The successful candidate will supervise research assistants, conduct studies, and contribute to teaching on various clinical psychology programmes. Candidates must hold a PhD and have experience in related research areas, with a strong background in publication and collaboration.

Benefits

Flexible working hours

Health and wellbeing support

Training and development opportunities

Qualifications

• PhD in Psychology or related field required.
• Experience in psychological research relevant to children and families needed.
• Strong publication record in peer-reviewed journals is essential.

Responsibilities

• Support research and quality improvement within the CYPGS and PHS.
• Supervise research assistants and contribute to teaching.
• Coordinate research studies, evaluations, and audits.

Skills

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Research design

Team collaboration

Education

PhD in Psychology or closely related discipline

Doctorate in clinical psychology or equivalent

Tools

SPSS

MATLAB

Python

Job description

Clinical Fellow Research post for CYP Gender Service

Band 8a

Main area Psychological Health Services Grade Band 8a Contract Permanent Hours Full time - 37.5 hours per week Job ref 387-WC8452-LH

Site St James Court/ Bristol Royal Hospital for Children Town Bristol Salary £55,690 - £62,682 pro rata Salary period Yearly Closing 17/02/2026 23:59 Interview date 05/03/2026

As an organisation we recognise the value of a healthy work-life balance. When applying, speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate flexible working, so your work life fits around your home life.

We particularly welcome applications from Black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates as they are under-represented within the Trust.

Generative artificial intelligence (AI) describes algorithms that can be used to produce new content, including audio, code, images, text, simulations, and videos. It is developing all the time and is now being used as a support mechanism for all kinds of content-based creations. Please note the use of AI is monitored and if applicants have used it then they are required to declare this.

Job overview

This is an exciting opportunity to join the improvement (QI) within the Children and Young People’s Gender Service (CYPGS) and Psychological Health Services (PHS).

The Research Fellow will play a pivotal role in advancing psychological and multi-disciplinary research, audit, and quality improvement (QI) within the CYPGS and PHS. Working under the leadership of the Deputy Research and Quality Improvement Director, the postholder will contribute to the design, delivery, and dissemination of high-quality studies that address key clinical, psychosocial, and developmental questions for children, young people, and their families.

Main duties of the job

• To apply highly developed written and verbal communication skills to convey complex and sensitive research, audit, and quality improvement findings
• To supervise and mentor research assistants, trainees, and early career researchers
• To disseminate findings through high-quality peer-reviewed publications, conference presentations (national and international), and accessible formats for non-specialist audiences
• To support in planning for research capacity‑building, including scheduling training, supervision, and mentorship for clinicians, trainees, and research assistants.
• To contribute to the integration of research and quality improvement (QI) into clinical practice within CYPGS and Psychological Health Services
• Provide both formal and informal teaching and training for professionals on psychological knowledge, research, and quality improvement (QI) skills
• Undertake teaching on associated university programmes such as DClinPsy, MSc, MRes, and MPhil courses
• Provide day‑to‑day management, research supervision, and (for DClinPsy‑qualified fellows) clinical supervision of assistant psychologists, trainee clinical psychologists, or junior psychologists
• Offer mentoring and supervision to research assistants, early career researchers, and clinicians
• To undertake, supervise and support research and development activity
• To undertake, supervise and support relevant multi‑professional audit and quality improvement

Working for our organisation

University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust (UHBW) is one of the largest acute Trusts in the country, bringing together a combined workforce of over 13,000 staff and over 100 different clinical services across 10 different sites, serving a core population of more than 500,000 people across South West England. UHBW has been rated by the CQC as ‘Good’ overall and our staff are proud to deliver excellent care to the people of Bristol, Weston and beyond. As a forward‑thinking multi‑award winning Trust and a digital exemplar committed to improving patient care, our world‑leading research and innovations are having a positive local and global impact. Our hospitals are spread across Bristol and Weston, join us and you can enjoy the very best of both worlds; city living within a stone’s throw of the countryside or beside the seaside, both with easy access to all that the South West has to offer. UHBW is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. As an equal opportunities employer actively working towards a diverse workforce we aim to recruit and retain a workforce which represents the rich diversity of the local population at all levels and are committed to designing our services around the needs of individual patients and those around them. Anonymous information will be used from your application in order to ensure we’re meeting our pledge.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

• The Research Fellow will play a pivotal role in advancing psychological and multi‑disciplinary research, audit, and quality improvement (QI) within the CYPGS and PHS.
• To apply highly developed written and verbal communication skills to convey complex and sensitive research, audit, and quality improvement findings clearly
• To interpret and present complex quantitative and qualitative data
• To use advanced interpersonal skills to build collaborative relationships across multi‑professional teams, higher education institutions, and external partners
• To act as a point of contact for research and QI advice to clinicians within the department
• To supervise and mentor research assistants, trainees, and early career researchers
• To disseminate findings through high‑quality peer‑reviewed publications, conference presentations (national and international), and accessible formats for non‑specialist audiences
• To use advanced project management skills, with the ability to independently design, plan, and deliver research and quality improvement (QI) projects to agreed timelines and within governance frameworks
• To coordinate multiple workstreams, including research studies, service evaluations, audits, and dissemination activities, balancing competing demands across academic, clinical, and organisational priorities
• To support in planning for research capacity‑building, including scheduling training, supervision, and mentorship for clinicians, trainees, and research assistants
• To set clear milestones, monitor progress, and adapt plans responsively to manage risks, unforeseen challenges, or shifts in clinical or research priorities
• Be responsible for the efficient and appropriate use of funds within defined projects, ensuring expenditure is in line with budget holder agreements, funding agreements, ethical approvals, and Trust policy
• To contribute to financial monitoring reports and ensures transparency and accountability in the use of public and charitable research funds
• To identify opportunities to maximise the impact of research funding, including leveraging additional resources through collaboration with academic, NHS, and third‑sector partners
• To support the preparation of grant applications and contributes to the financial planning and forecasting of research and quality improvement (QI) projects, including accurate costings for staff, resources, and dissemination
• To contribute to the integration of research and quality improvement (QI) into clinical practice within CYPGS and Psychological Health Services, ensuring that evidence informs service delivery and patient outcomes
• To apply specialist research expertise to support the evaluation of clinical models of care, patient experience, and service effectiveness, ensuring findings are translated into practical recommendations for clinicians
• To work collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams to identify key areas of clinical need, co‑produce research questions, and design evaluations that address service priorities and improve pathways of care
• To advise clinicians and managers on evidence‑based methods for evaluating clinical outcomes and supports the development of guidelines, policies, and practice standards grounded in research
• To promote a culture of evidence‑based practice by facilitating knowledge exchange between research and clinical teams, including leading workshops, case discussions, and dissemination events
• Provide both formal and informal teaching and training for professionals on psychological knowledge, research, and quality improvement (QI) skills applicable to the direct and indirect care of children, young people, and families within CYPGS and Psychological Health Services
• Undertake teaching on associated university programmes such as DClinPsy, MSc, MRes, and MPhil courses, as well as other professional training programmes, ensuring content is evidence‑based and responsive to service needs
• Develop, teach, and act as a research supervisor for postgraduate students, including MSc, MRes, MPhil, PhD and doctoral trainees, contributing to the academic development of future researchers and clinicians
• Provide day‑to‑day management, research supervision, and (for DClinPsy‑qualified fellows) clinical supervision of assistant psychologists, trainee clinical psychologists, or junior psychologists placed within the service, as requested by the Head of Service
• Offer mentoring and supervision to research assistants, early career researchers, and clinicians engaged in QI, audit and research projects, supporting skill development in research design, data analysis, and dissemination
• To undertake, supervise and support research and development activity including the supervision of assistant and trainee psychologists and other research staff, as appropriate
• To undertake, supervise and support relevant multi‑professional audit and quality improvement
• To undertake, supervise and support service evaluation and service improvement in partnership with young people and the multi‑professional teams
• To provide appropriate activity and outcome data for: annual reporting to the Head of Psychological Health Services, Lead Clinicians, managers, and Commissioners as required
• To collaborate with psychologists and other healthcare professionals in the initiation and promotion of scientific research, QI, audit and service evaluation
• To travel to meetings across the partner Trusts and other localities when required
• To work flexibly which may include offering some commitment to work late occasional evening or weekend hours, within the overall Job Plan

Person specification

Qualifications

• PhD in Psychology or closely related discipline (E)
• Doctorate in clinical psychology or equivalent (e.g. DCounsPsy) with current registration as a practitioner psychologist with the Health Care Professions Council (D)

Knowledge

• Experience in psychological, health, or social‑science research relevant to children, young people, and families (E)
• Proven ability to design and manage research and/or quality‑improvement projects across multidisciplinary or multi‑agency settings, from inception through governance approvals, delivery, and dissemination. (E)
• Experience of fostering collaborative working and shared learning across clinical and academic environments (E)
• Experience of designing, conducting, and interpreting assessments of psychosocial needs using validated measures and structured data collection tools within psychological or healthcare research. (E)
• Evidence of Peer‑reviewed publications & conference presentations (E)
• Demonstrable understanding of research governance, ethics, and Good Clinical Practice (GCP) principles within NHS and academic contexts.(E)
• Understanding of the legislative frameworks governing research involving children and vulnerable adults. (E)
• Post‑doctoral or equivalent experience in psychological, health, or social‑science research relevant to gender and gender diversity (D)
• Experience of building collaborations and networks with NHS, HEI, and third‑sector partners. (D)
• Knowledge of the UK health and research landscape, including NHS, NIHR, and UKRI funding structures and research networks, with a track record of successful funding bids (D)
• Experience of preparing and delivering research proposals, fellowships, or grant applications as lead or co‑applicant, including post‑award project and budget management. (D)
• Evidence of providing formal teaching, supervision, and mentorship in research or technical skills to staff and students at undergraduate and postgraduate levels.(D)
• Evidence of leadership and training experience, including development of research colleagues and supervision of junior staff. (D)

Skills

• Analytical skills with capacity to interpret and synthesise complex, multi‑source data. (E)
• Competence in quantitative and qualitative analysis, including use of software such as R, MATLAB, Python, SPSS, Stata, or NVivo (E)
• Ability to work autonomously while maintaining accountability for research quality and integrity. (E)
• Ability to manage and analyse data securely and transparently, maintaining accurate, reproducible records in compliance with NHS, university, and UK GDPR standards. (E)
• Skills in research design, statistical modelling, and data visualisation, with commitment to open‑science and reproducible research practices. (E)
• Ability to integrate and synthesise quantitative and qualitative findings to generate evidence‑based interpretations and recommendations that inform research and service development. (E)
• Ability to lead research or quality‑improvement projects, ensuring adherence to governance, ethics, and data integrity standards while coordinating timelines, staff, and stakeholder engagement. (E)
• Strong organisational and time‑management skills, with the ability to prioritise multiple workstreams and deliver to agreed deadlines with minimal supervision. (E)
• Experience handling large, longitudinal, or multi‑site datasets and integrating mixed‑method evidence. (D)
• High level of digital literacy and IT proficiency, including use of electronic health records (EHRs), databases (e.g. REDCap, Medrio), and data‑visualisation platforms (e.g. Tableau, ggplot2, MATLAB). (D)
• Experience of engaging with children, young people, families, and public contributors to co‑design, refine, or disseminate research. (D)
• Demonstrated competence in teaching and training, including delivery of workshops or seminars to clinical, academic, or service teams, and supervision of MSc, DClinPsy, or PhD students in applied research. (D)

We hope that you will decide to join us and become part of this exciting journey, helping us to shape our future together.

• As an equal opportunities employer actively working towards a diverse workforce we aim to recruit and retain a workforce which represents the rich diversity of the local population at all levels and are committed to designing our services around the needs of individual patients and those around them. Anonymous information will be used from your application to ensure we’re meeting our pledge.
• The Trust is committed to investing in and caring for all our staff. We will support you in maintaining and improving your health and wellbeing, as well as your career development through management and training support - developing exceptional people for exceptional careers.
• UHBW is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults.
• To comply with Part 7 of the Immigration Act 2016 all applicants must be able to speak fluent English to an appropriate standard which will be assessed at Interview.
• If you require sponsorship for a visa to work in the UK, to avoid disappointment, please check to ensure you are eligible under the UKVI points based system.
• The Trust uses electronic new starter forms on Trac to collect personal details. Information collected is securely stored and used to set up the employee record on the ESR HR system.
• By applying for this post, you are agreeing to University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust transferring the information contained in this application to its preferred applicant management system. If you are offered a job, information will also be transferred into the national NHS Electronic Staff Records system.
• Please be aware of scams – unless specified above, we will only communicate with you via @recruit.trac.jobs or nhs.net e‑mails and we will never ask you for any payments.

IMPORTANT:

Please note that if you apply for a position with this Trust, you may be contacted via Trac or via email. This includes invites for job interviews. We therefore recommend that you regularly check your Trac account and email accounts. We may also contact you by texting the mobile number, if provided, on the application form.

Due to the high number of applications that are received for some posts we may close this vacancy before the advertised closing date. Therefore, please apply for this post as soon as you can, if you are interested and you meet the requirements of the Person Specification

Only those candidates who clearly demonstrate how they meet the person specification will be shortlisted for this job.

As a guide interviews should usually take place within 3 weeks of the closing date.

When providing employment reference details, please provide correct work‑related email addresses so references can be sought promptly when we are looking to progress your application. Your referee must all be known to you in a line manager or professional lead capacity.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.