Research Associate in Developmental Psychology

This is an exciting opportunity for a Research Associate to deliver a 3-year ESRC-funded research project led 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.

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 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.
• Have 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.

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.

Rewards & Benefits:
• A minimum of 36 days annual leave per annum (inclusive of bank holidays and University closure days)
• Discounted membership to onsite state-of-the-art sport and leisure facilities
• Staff benefits scheme 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