Research Associate in Developmental Psychology

Department

• Research Investment Fund (EXTERNAL)
• Location
• Ormskirk
• Salary
• £32,080 to £34,610 per annum
• Fixed Term for 3 Years
• Post Type
• Full Time
• Closing Date
• Tuesday 20 October 2026
• Reference

EHA2665-0926-R

We’re here to create and harness knowledge, to deliver opportunity for everyone.

About the Role

This is an exciting opportunity for a Research Associate to deliver a 3-year ESRC-funded research project lead by Dr Calum Hartley (PI) in collaboration with Dr John Shaw (Co-I, Edge Hill University), Dr Mengyi Gong (Co-I, Lancaster University), and partners at Ygam, Internet Matters, and ADHD UK.

The project will investigate how primary school children engage with video games, microtransactions and loot boxes, including the developmental and wellbeing risks for children with ADHD and autism. Although gaming and in-game purchasing are widespread among UK children, little is known about how loot-box engagement develops, its wider psychological effects or which children are most vulnerable.

Developed with Ygam, Internet Matters and ADHD UK, the research will:

Identify patterns and predictors of gaming and loot-box engagement, including among children with ADHD and autism;

Assess the long-term effects on mental and physical health, risk-taking and vulnerability to gambling;

Explore whether caregivers’ gaming and loot-box behaviours predict similar behaviours in their children; and

Understand what drives children’s interest in in-game items and their motivations for opening loot boxes.

The findings will strengthen understanding of gaming and microtransactions within families and support evidence-based interventions and policy. Partner collaboration will ensure meaningful engagement and help translate the research into online resources for families and educators, policy briefings, knowledge-exchange events and wider digital communications.

As part of the University’s ongoing commitment to redeployment, please note that this vacancy may be withdrawn at any stage of the recruitment process if a suitable redeployee is identified.

For informal enquiries about this vacancy, please contact John Shaw, Senior Lecturer in Psychology at [email protected] .

About You

As Research Associate you will

Have experience conducting research involving in-person interactions with neurotypical and neurodivergent children.

Have excellent verbal and written communication skills and the skills required to manage research projects effectively.

A strong understanding of ethics and data protection regulations in relation to research activity involving children.

Be willing to engage in Open Science practices, including pre-registering research and data sharing.

Be willing to disseminate research to non-academic audiences and stakeholders.

It is important to note that the successful applicant will be required to undertake an enhanced disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service, including a check of the Children’s Barred List and that this will form part of the conditions of offer of employment.

At Edge Hill University we value the benefits a rich and diverse workforce brings to our community and therefore welcome applications from all sections of society.

Rewards & Benefits

• A minimum of 36 days annual leave per annum, (inclusive of bank holiday and University closure days)
• Discounted membership to our onsite state-of-the-art sport and leisure facilities
• Staff benefits scheme, which provides you with discounts across the high street, supermarket shopping, cinema tickets, dining out and more.
• Employee assistance programme with access to free confidential counselling sessions, legal & financial advice, and health & wellbeing resources
• A wide range of development programmes to enhance your career
• Beautiful award-winning on-campus working environment.
• Automatic enrolment into the Local Government Pension Scheme
• About Us

At Edge Hill University we believe in the life changing opportunities knowledge can create. Since 1885, we’ve been creating access to knowledge for those who may not have had the opportunity to before.

Today, the effect we have has a far-reaching impact, not just for those who come to study here but for those who work, invest in, and live in our local communities too. So, if you’ve ever wondered if one person can make a difference, simply speak to our alumni, students, and award-winning staff.

Because for us education isn’t about how much you take in. It’s about what you take out into the world.

Inspiring minds and changing futures since 1885,Edge Hill University is “A great success story… an institution that improves and impresses year after year” – Times Higher Education.