Clinical Research Fellow (Clinical Psychologist)

This is a unique opportunity for a Clinical Psychologist to help transform mental health services for people affected by Parkinson's. You will work on an innovative project funded by Parkinson's UK to develop a new programme of mental health interventions specifically for Parkinson's. The interventions will be trialled at UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology and, if successful, made available to all NHS staff.

You will have the rare opportunity of contributing to the design, delivery, and evaluation of new and bespoke group-based mental health interventions. The interventions will be targeted at different stages of Parkinson's using psychological techniques demonstrated to be effective in reducing distress and improving coping. The interventions will be co-designed with people affected by Parkinson's and non-psychology health professionals. The interventions will be manualised, so that they may be later delivered by non-psychology healthcare professionals.

An honorary contract will be sought from UCLH NHS Foundation Trust, for which a DBS check will be required.

The post is available immediately, funded by a Parkinson's UK grant awarded to Dr Jennifer Foley until 31 October 2025 in the first instance.

The post is offered part-time at 21.9 hours per week (0.60 Full Time Equivalent). This role is eligible for hybrid working with a minimum of 60% on site., You will have a postgraduate doctorate in Clinical Psychology or equivalent, be registered with HCPC as Practitioner Psychologist (or equivalent), and have knowledge of the theory, evidence base, and practice of psychological therapies for people affected by Parkinson's. Excellent clinical, communication, organisational, and interpersonal skills are also essential for this role.

This role meets the eligibility requirements for a skilled worker certificate of sponsorship or a global talent visa under UK Visas and Immigration legislation. Therefore, UCL welcomes applications from international applicants who require a visa.

The Department of Clinical and Movement Neurosciences is a world-leading group that brings together expertise across the clinical and basic science spectrum of the physiology and pathology of human movement and movement disorders.

The Department is in a unique position of pursuing research in basic neuroscience that is of direct translational benefit to neurological disorders such as Parkinson's disease, dystonia, stroke, motor neurone disease, peripheral nerve disorders and spinal cord injury. Our Research Groups use a powerful combination of modern non-invasive research technology, theoretical and computational approaches and a variety of cellular, animal and human models to explore how the brain controls normal movement, and how disease leads to disordered control of movement.

The role is offered in the range of £26,171.40 - £31,882.20 (i.e., 60% of £43,619 - £53,137) per annum including London Allowance, on the CL, JDPS, or StR scale, dependent on NHS contract and/or stage of clinical training.

As well as the exciting opportunities this role presents, we also offer 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