University of York
Research Trainee
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Role Description
Department of Psychology
Professor Lisa Henderson (Head of Psychology, University of York) and collaborators are looking to hire a full-time Research Trainee to support an exciting new research project, funded by the Huo Family Foundation. The post is available to start immediately and the project will run until 31st May 2029.
SmartSleep - Waking up to the Effects of Smartphones and Social Media
Adolescents are immersed in a smartphone-dominated world with instant access to social media. While this can offer opportunities for connection, mounting evidence points to sleep disruption, poor mental health, and declining cognition. Despite growing concern and recent policy proposals from the UK Government, we still have limited causal evidence to shape the implementation of effective policies. Existing randomised controlled trials (RCTs) face methodological challenges, and mechanistic understanding remains underdeveloped.
Our pilot work—featured in Channel 4’s Swiped—suggests that a 21-day SM/smartphone detox can improve sleep, wellbeing, and cognition in teens. Our research also points to sleep as a critical mediator between problematic smartphone use and mental health. We have now received a large grant from the Huo Family Foundation to examine the behavioural and neurophysiological pathways linking smartphone/SM use to youth mental health and cognition, focusing on sleep as a key causal mechanism.
This multimethod project will comprise a RCT with 18-21-year-olds (i.e., evaluating bedtime smartphone restriction) alongside a longitudinal study to track 11-14 year olds social media and smartphone use, as well as their sleep, mental health, cognition and social attitudes. Sleep and mental health will be measured via subjective report as well as objectively via wearables, EEG and physiological methods.
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Our hope is that this research will provide policymakers with mechanistic, causal evidence and inform translational strategies to promote digital health among young people.
Role
This post will work as part of a team, alongside a Research Associate, Research Trainee and Project Administrator. Beyond this, the project, led by Professor Henderson as PI comprises a large and multidisciplinary project team of developmental and cognitive psychologists, social psychologists, psychiatrists, neuroscientists, data analysts, educators and clinical trials experts, as well as health professionals from Health Professionals for Safe Screens UK and The Sleep Charity. As a Research Trainee you will provide critical support to the research project, undertaking research work within the overall programme and assisting with the day to day operation of the research.
Skills, Experience & Qualification Needed
The postholders will have an undergraduate degree in Psychology or a relevant discipline. They will have knowledge in one or more topics relevant to the project, and knowledge and experience of a range of research techniques and methods relevant to the project, including the ability to work effectively with children and/or schools. Full details of the main qualifications, knowledge, skills, experience and qualifications essential to the post are provided in the Person Specification.
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Interview date
14th October 2026
For informal enquiries
Please contact Professor Lisa Henderson on lisa-marie.henderson@york.ac.uk
Condition of employment
This role is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act. Consequently, all applicants will be asked to declare both unspent and spent convictions on their application form.
Appointment of the successful candidate will be conditional on a Disclosure and Barring Service check.
The University strives to be diverse and inclusive – a place where we can ALL be ourselves.
We particularly encourage applications from people who identify as Black, Asian or from a Minority Ethnic background, who are underrepresented at the University.
We offer family friendly, flexible working arrangements, with forums and inclusive facilities to support our staff. #EqualityatYork
As a Disability Confident employer, we will ensure that a fair and proportionate number of disabled applicants that meet the minimum (essential) criteria for each position will be offered an interview. Read more about the University of York’s commitments under the Disability Confident scheme.
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