Job summary

This role is an exciting opportunity for an experienced assistant psychologist to join the research team working on a Wellcome funded study, AVATAR3. The successful candidate will join an existing team of clinical psychologists, research assistants, and experts by experience, to work on new developments in AVATAR therapy, a blended digital intervention for distressing voices in psychosis.

One workstream of the AVATAR3 project involves developing a version of AVATAR therapyin which automated dialogues are delivered using non-generative conversational Artificial Intelligence (AVATAR-AI) and testing the feasibility of delivery of this version by a non-specialist UK workforce. We aim to test the feasibility, acceptability, and clinical impact of AVATAR-AI, delivered by non-specialist mental health workers. The post-holder will primarily support with this workstream, but there may be opportunities for involvement in the international workstream (adapting and testing AVATAR therapy in Ethiopia and India).

We particularly encourage applications from candidates whose backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives are currently underrepresented within the psychological therapies workforce, as we recognise the value of a diverse workforce in delivering high-quality, culturally responsive care.

Main duties of the job

Job Purpose:

To support practitioner psychologists through the delivery of psychological assessment and intervention (AVATAR-AI therapy) under close supervision, as part of the AVATAR3 research project.

To provide clinical work as required by the project, under the clinical and professional supervision of a practitioner psychologist.

To assist in clinically relevant research administration tasks, including collection of data, where appropriate.

To work as at appropriate levels of independence, following clinical guidelines and the policies and procedures of the service, and seeking help from clinical/professional supervisor or manager as required.

About us

This project is taking place within South London and Maudsley NHS Trust, and in collaboration with the Psychological Interventions Clinic for Outpatients with Psychosis (PICUP). There are wide ranging opportunities for CPD and networking with teams and colleagues in SLAM and KCL, and there may be potential for observation opportunities or to gain experience supporting with other clinical activities within PICUP as required.

Trust values and commitments:

I promise to:

Be caring kind and polite

Be prompt and value your time

Do what I say I'm going to do

Take the time and listen to you

Be honest and direct with you

Details

Date posted

21 October 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 5

Salary

£32,073 to £39,043 a year per annum plus HCAs (Inner or Outer depending on the location)

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

12 months

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time, Job share

Reference number

334-CLI- 8313150

Job locations

Psychological Interventions Clinic for Outpatients with Psychosis (PICUP) - AVATAR Project

Based at Henry Wellcome Building, IOPPN, Denmark Hill Campus, with travel across SLaM sites to be expected.

London

SE5 8AB

United Kingdom

Job description

Job responsibilities

Please see the full job description for further information.

This post is open to applicants with a first-class or upper-second-class Bachelors degree with Honours in Psychology that is accredited by the British Psychological Society and confers the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership of the British Psychological Society. Experience of working with people experiencing distressing voices in the context of psychosis is highly desirable.

Job description Job responsibilities Please see the full job description for further information. This post is open to applicants with a first-class or upper-second-class Bachelors degree with Honours in Psychology that is accredited by the British Psychological Society and confers the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership of the British Psychological Society. Experience of working with people experiencing distressing voices in the context of psychosis is highly desirable.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• oA First-class or Upper-second-class Bachelors degree with Honours in Psychology that is accredited by the British Psychological Society and confers the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership of the British Psychological Society.

Knowledge

Essential

• Graduate level knowledge of psychological research methodology and statistical analysis.
• Good theoretical knowledge of the problems experienced by and needs of individuals experiencing distressing voices in the context of psychosis and of methods of assessment and treatment (including through observation and joint work).
• Awareness of racial and diversity issues through attendance of relevant training

Experience

Essential

• Post-graduate experience of psychological engagement and relationship building with individuals experiencing (or with a history of) distressing voices in the context of psychosis, sufficient to be able to work clinically without direct supervision.
• Sufficient post-graduate experience of assessment and treatment of clients with a range of psychological needs in the context of psychosis to be able to work clinically without direct supervision (this may include broader therapeutic interventions and need not include direct experience of delivering 1:1 psychological therapy).
• Experience that supports working with, and addressing issues of, diversity within local communities. This may have been gained through work, research, volunteering and / or lived experience.
• Post-graduate experience of conducting research projects or audits.

Desirable

• Lived experience of mental health challenges.

Skills

Essential

• Skills in relevant psychological assessment and interventions that enable working independently as a pre-qualified practitioner with clinical supervision.
• Well-developed verbal and written communication skills.
• Consultation skills to work with the multi-professional team or other professional groups.
• Skills in providing teaching and training to other professional group.
• Well-developed IT skills including entry and analysis of research data.

Abilities

Essential

• Ability to work effectively within a multi-disciplinary team.
• Ability to identify and follow relevant clinical governance procedures.
• Ability to maintain concentration and to remain in restricted positions for long periods during observations, assessments and psychological interventions.
• Ability to manage emotionally stressful situations such as working with victims of abuse or trauma, or with people who engage in severe self-harming or aggressive behaviour.
• Ability to communicate complex, sensitive or contentious information to people who may be aroused, or hostile to the information, or have severe impediments to understanding.

Person Specification Qualifications Essential oA First-class or Upper-second-class Bachelors degree with Honours in Psychology that is accredited by the British Psychological Society and confers the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership of the British Psychological Society. Knowledge Essential Graduate level knowledge of psychological research methodology and statistical analysis. Good theoretical knowledge of the problems experienced by and needs of individuals experiencing distressing voices in the context of psychosis and of methods of assessment and treatment (including through observation and joint work). Awareness of racial and diversity issues through attendance of relevant training Experience Essential Post-graduate experience of psychological engagement and relationship building with individuals experiencing (or with a history of) distressing voices in the context of psychosis, sufficient to be able to work clinically without direct supervision. Sufficient post-graduate experience of assessment and treatment of clients with a range of psychological needs in the context of psychosis to be able to work clinically without direct supervision (this may include broader therapeutic interventions and need not include direct experience of delivering 1:1 psychological therapy). Experience that supports working with, and addressing issues of, diversity within local communities. This may have been gained through work, research, volunteering and / or lived experience. Post-graduate experience of conducting research projects or audits. Desirable Lived experience of mental health challenges. Skills Essential Skills in relevant psychological assessment and interventions that enable working independently as a pre-qualified practitioner with clinical supervision. Well-developed verbal and written communication skills. Consultation skills to work with the multi-professional team or other professional groups. Skills in providing teaching and training to other professional group. Well-developed IT skills including entry and analysis of research data. Abilities Essential Ability to work effectively within a multi-disciplinary team. Ability to identify and follow relevant clinical governance procedures. Ability to maintain concentration and to remain in restricted positions for long periods during observations, assessments and psychological interventions. Ability to manage emotionally stressful situations such as working with victims of abuse or trauma, or with people who engage in severe self-harming or aggressive behaviour. Ability to communicate complex, sensitive or contentious information to people who may be aroused, or hostile to the information, or have severe impediments to understanding.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Additional information Disclosure and Barring Service Check This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions. Certificate of Sponsorship Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab). From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Employer details

Employer name

South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Psychological Interventions Clinic for Outpatients with Psychosis (PICUP) - AVATAR Project

Based at Henry Wellcome Building, IOPPN, Denmark Hill Campus, with travel across SLaM sites to be expected.

London

SE5 8AB

United Kingdom

Employer's website

https://www.slam.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Psychological Interventions Clinic for Outpatients with Psychosis (PICUP) - AVATAR Project

Based at Henry Wellcome Building, IOPPN, Denmark Hill Campus, with travel across SLaM sites to be expected.

London

SE5 8AB

United Kingdom

Employer's website

https://www.slam.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)