About us

An exciting opening exists for an experienced researcher to contribute to the behavioural science work-streams of the NIHR-funded Policy Research Unit in Behavioural and Social Sciences (PRU-BaSS), co-directed by Professor Emily Oliver, Professor Falko Sniehotta (Newcastle University), Professor Angel Chater (UCL and University of Bedfordshire), alongside a team of co-investigators PRU-Bass. The unit works directly with policy partners from the Department of Health and Social Care on a variety of projects that include optimising integrated care (OptICS), trust in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and digital health care, weight management and other areas related to the NHS Long-Term Plan.

The post-holder will be appointed as a researcher working as part of the large multi-disciplinary, multi-site PRU team, and will need to adapt to the needs and demands of the unit as appropriate. They will join a small team of PRU researchers based at the Centre for Behaviour Change, UCL.

About the role

The post-holder will be appointed as a researcher working as part of the large multi-disciplinary, multi-site PRU team, and will need to adapt to the needs and demands of the unit as appropriate. They will join a small teams of PRU researchers based at the Centre for Behaviour Change, UCL.

The post-holder will contribute to a variety of PRU research projects as agreed by the Department of Health and Social Care and will ensure its research is informed by policy contexts and directions. Examples of topic areas covered by current projects include improving the delivery of and engagement with integrated healthcare services; trust in artificial intelligence and digital healthcare; and weight management, as well as other topics related to the NHS Long-Term Plan and responsive to policy priorities.

We are seeking someone with a solid understanding of theories and methods in behavioural and social sciences, as the role will require applying these too all aspects of research, from initial study design, through to data collection, analysis and write up of findings. The work of the unit encompasses a range of methods, including quantitative surveys, qualitative interviews and focus groups, participatory research and conducting and systematic literature reviews. The post will require demonstrable research skills in some of these methods, alongside leadership for initiating, conducting, reporting and disseminating the work in collaboration with multidisciplinary research teams and policy-makers. Experience in engaging with non-academic stakeholders such as policy makers, health service providers, and patient groups is desirable.

The post is offered at either of Grade 6 or Grade 7 depending on the expertise and experience offered by the candidate. The person specification details the difference in criteria for the grades.

Research Fellows - Appointment at Grade 7 is dependent upon having been awarded a PhD; if this is not the case, initial appointment will be at Grade 6B (salary £39,158 - £41,833 per annum) with payment at Grade 7 being backdated to the date of final submission of the PhD Thesis.

This is a fixed-term role of 6 months in the first instance. The post-holder will report to Prof. Angel Chater.

This role is eligible for hybrid working with a minimum of 40% on site.

This role is required to start as soon as possible and unfortunately we are unable to sponsor a visa.

If you have any queries about the role, please contact karen.rumsey@ucl.ac.uk.

If you need reasonable adjustments or a more accessible format to apply for this job online or have any queries about the application process, please contact PALS HR Team at pals.hr@ucl.ac.uk.

This appointment is subject to UCL Terms and Conditions of Service for Research and Professional Services Staff. Please visit for more information.

• The advert will close on 22/02/2026 at 23:59 GMT, however we may close applications early if we receive a high volume of applications. Early application submission is recommended.

• Interview Date(s) are scheduled for: 06/03/2026.

• A job description and person specification can be accessed at the bottom of this page.

• The UCL Ways of Working supports colleagues to be successful and happy at UCL through sharing expectations around how we work – please visit to find out more.

Closing an advert early:

• In the event we get a high number of applications, we may close the advert early before the published closing date. As a minimum we will keep all adverts open for 2 weeks.

About you

We are seeking someone with good understanding of behavioural science theories, models and/or frameworks, and demonstrable experience in applying these to conduct research using methods such as quantitative surveys, qualitative interviews, focus groups, participatory research and/or conducting systematic literature reviews. The post will require leadership for initiating, conducting, reporting and disseminating the work in collaboration with multidisciplinary research teams and policy-makers. Experience in engaging with non-academic stakeholders such as policy makers, health service providers, and patient groups is desirable. The post holder will also require skills to manage their workload efficiently and work flexibly across multiple projects.

Please note that the selection process is by application and interview – the details of which are below>

Applications should include:

-CV, -cover letter of up to 1 page, and

• a writing task: 1 page-long project proposal entitled ‘What might influence the uptake and engagement of an app-based health and wellbeing service delivered using an AI Health Coach’ with detail of background, proposed research methodology and use of behavioural science theories and frameworks.

Interviews:

• The interviews will be held with the two project leads, Professors Angel Chater and Fabiana Lorencatto.

-The interviews will be online and be 30 -35 minutes to include a 5 minutes' long presentation on the writing task.

What we offer

As well as the exciting opportunities this role presents, we also offer some great benefits some of which are below:

• 41 Days holiday (27 days annual leave 8 bank holiday and 6 closure days)
• Additional 5 days’ annual leave purchase scheme
• Defined benefit career average revalued earnings pension scheme (CARE)
• Cycle to work scheme and season ticket loan
• Immigration loan
• Relocation scheme for certain posts
• On-Site nursery
• On-site gym
• Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption pay
• Employee assistance programme: Staff Support Service
• Discounted medical insurance

Visit to find out more.

Our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

As London’s Global University, we know diversity fosters creativity and innovation, and we want our community to represent the diversity of the world’s talent. We are committed to equality of opportunity, to being fair and inclusive, and to being a place where we all belong.

We therefore particularly encourage applications from candidates who are likely to be underrepresented in UCL’s workforce.

These include people from Black, Asian and ethnic minority backgrounds; disabled people; and for our Grade 9 and 10 roles, women.

Athena Swan Status Statement • Our department holds an Athena SWAN Silver award, in recognition of our commitment and demonstrable impact in advancing gender equality.

You can read more about our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion here: