Postdoctoral Research Associate in Mechanisms of Mental Health - Strand, London, WC2R 2LS...

Postdoctoral Research Associate in Mechanisms of Mental Health - Strand, London, WC2R 2LSAbout us:The Prevention Matters Lab is led by dr. Breedvelt based in the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience. We focus on advancing outcomes of preventive approaches by understanding what works (and doesn’t) for preventing common mental health conditions in children and young people. In 2026, the department will be based in the newly established Pears Maudsley Centre for Children and Young People:https://www.kcl.ac.uk/research/pears-maudsley-centrewhich will offer ample of opportunity to collaborate with academics, clinicians and lived experience experts.The Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience (IoPPN) is the largest academic community in Europe devoted to the study and prevention of mental illness and brain disease.http://www.kcl.ac.uk/ioppn/About the roleThis is an exciting opportunity for a motivated and ambitious postdoctoral researcher with a background in adolescent mental health, experience sampling methods, digital phenotyping, or related disciplines. In your role, you will lead on the development and piloting of Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA) items tailored for young people, to better understand the cognitive, emotional, and behavioural mechanisms that place them at risk of developing depression. Working with a multidisciplinary team, including experts in lived experience, clinical research, and digital mental health, you will co-design and implement a feasibility study using smartphones and wearable devices with a sample adolescents and young adults. You will be based within the Pears Maudsley Centre and work closely with lived experience experts to ensure the methodology is youth-centred and developmentally appropriate. This project will involve both qualitative and quantitative methods, including cognitive interviewing, feasibility testing, and longitudinal data collection and analysis. There will be scope to contribute to the design of visual or interactive outputs (such as infographics or dashboards) and shape the development of a future larger-scale cohort study. You will also be encouraged to lead and contribute to publications, funding applications, and public engagement activities. The postholder will have an interest in adolescent mental health and a working knowledge of digital or real-time data collection. It would suit someone proactive, organised, and collaborative, with the ability to take initiative while working closely with the wider team. This is a full-time post (35 hours per week) offered on a fixed-term contract for 11 months (up to 14 months if part-time), starting in September/October 2025. Part-time, flexible, and remote working arrangements can be discussed.