The Department of Psychology is seeking a talented and motivated Research Associate to join the UKRI -funded PRIME (Peer Review Improvement for Minimizing Bias in Evaluation) project .

PRIME is an ambitious international initiative designed to test whether Results -Blind Peer Review (RBR) —a review process where decisions are based on the introduction and methods before results are revealed—can reduce publication bias and strengthen the reliability of scientific evidence.

This project will deliver the first large -scale, real -world randomised controlled trial of RBR, working in collaboration with a range of scholarly publishers across sectors.

Bias in peer review contributes to the over-representation of positive findings in the scientific literature, undermining evidence quality and distorting policy and practice.

PRIME addresses this challenge by evaluating whether RBR shifts editorial decision-making toward methodological rigour and away from outcome favourability.

It also investigates the feasibility and acceptability of implementing RBR within journal workflows, and will generate actionable policy recommendations , guidance materials, and communication resources to support improvements in peer review.

About the role

The post holder will play a key role in coordinating aspects of the trial, assessing the methodological characteristics of submitted manuscripts, contributing to analysis and interpretation of trial outcomes, and supporting the development of resources informed by behavioural science and stakeholder consultation.

They will work closely with the Principal Investigator and with partners across the UK and internationally.

As part of the University’s commitment to research staff development, the post holder will be supported to undertake professional development, including a minimum of 10 days per year pro rata.

We welcome applications from candidates who have:

• A PhD in Psychology, Epidemiology, or another relevant discipline , with strong training in quantitative research methods and inferential statistical analysis .
• Experience evaluating empirical research, including extracting data from research articles and assessing methodological rigour or study quality (e.g., using structured checklists).
• A strong commitment to open research practices , such as transparent coding and analysis pipelines, reproducible workflows, pre-registration, or open data/materials, in line with sector-wide best practice.
• Excellent analytical skills, including the ability to work with quantitative datasets and interpret statistical evidence.
• (Desirable) Experience conducting meta -analysis or synthesising effect-size data across studies.
• Strong communication, organisation, and time-management skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with researchers, international partners, and publishing stakeholders.
• An interest in metascience , peer review, research integrity, or improving scientific processes more broadly.

Additional information

This is a fixed-term post of approximately 9–10 months as a 1FTE role.

We are open to supporting part-time working with a longer duration. A 0.6 FTE would be feasible if the individual could start immediately. 0.8 FTE or above is preferred. Please note your request for part-time working in the last supporting statement of your application.

The exact duration will depend on the appointed candidate’s start date and working pattern, and the post must finish no later than 31 August 2027.

A lower grade offer may be made (Grade 6) with comparable reduction in responsibilities and amendment in job title to Research Assistant, if a suitable applicant cannot be found to fill the Grade 7 position. Applicants will need to be within six months of their course completion date and will be promoted to Research Associate once their PhD has been awarded.

Informal enquiries are welcome and should be directed to Dr Katherine Button ( ) .

We consider ourselves to be a university where difference is celebrated, respected and encouraged. We have an excellent international reputation with staff from over 60 different nations and have made a positive commitment towards gender equity  and intersectionality receiving a Silver Athena SWAN award. We truly believe that diversity of experience, perspectives, and backgrounds will lead to a better environment for our employees and students and encourage applications from all genders, backgrounds, and communities, particularly from under-represented groups, and value the positive impact that will have on the university. We are committed to maintaining a safe and secure environment for our students, staff, and community by reinforcing our Safer Recruitment commitment.

We’re very proud to be a signatory of the Armed Forces Covenant. an accredited Disability Confident Leader; autism friendly university, committed to building disability confidence and supporting disabled staff.

What we can offer you

We’re continually expanding our benefits package to better support you and enhance your experience with us and the below is just an example of some of the many great benefits we offer:

• Free counselling services through Health Assured
• Cycle to work scheme
• Electric vehicle salary sacrifice scheme
• Staff discount at Team Bath gym
• Staff discounts on postgraduate tuition fees
• Staff discount on language courses
• Generous employer contributory pension schemes
• Generous annual leave allowance with an additional 5 discretionary days so that you can enjoy a positive work life balance
• A wide range of personal and professional development opportunities including Apprenticeships, LinkedIn Learning and more
• Free entry to the Holburne Museum in Bath
• Local discounts and more
• A family-friendly workplace
• An excellent reward package that recognises the talents of our diverse workforce
• Relocation allowance
• Visa reimbursement and Interest-Free Loan to help with the cost of some immigration expenses

Find out more about our benefits and watch the video to hear from our staff about what makes the University of Bath a great place to work as well as following us X and LinkedIn.

Closing Date: 20 Apr 2026

Department: Education & Research

Salary: £38,784 to £46,049