NIHR Undergraduate Intern in Psychology (ID:13230)

This post is only available to students who are studying an undergraduate degree programme and will return to continue on the same course in September/October 2026. This includes students who are going to return to final year following a placement.

Note: if you will graduate this summer and return to undertake a postgraduate degree you are not eligible to apply.

We are recruiting 2 undergraduate interns to work with researchers in Health & Wellbeing in the School of Psychology & Vision Sciences at the University of Leicester.

The interns would work full-time across two projects in health and wellbeing, and have the opportunity to shadow additional projects running over the summer period with Leicestershire-based collaborators.

We are happy for you to contact us if you have any questions or would like an informal chat about what the internship would entail.

There will also be an online webinar on Monday 11th May 2-3PM via Teams, which will tell you more about the internship projects and include a Q&A session. Please click here to sign up to the webinar and receive a Teams invite

The webinar will also be recorded for those unable to attend and made available here after the 11th May.

For informal enquiries, please contact Dr Florence Sheen ([email protected])

Working hours: Monday-Friday, 37 hours per week

Internship 1:

This internship offers an exciting opportunity to work with Dr Justine Anthony on projects related to physical activity and physical health in individuals with lived experience of poor mental health. The internship provides a unique opportunity for the intern to gain direct experience in qualitative research, behaviour change, and health inequalities. The placement will be particularly valuable for students interested in applied health research focused on improving health outcomes in underserved communities. Please contact Dr Justine Anthony ([email protected]) for informal enquiries regarding internship 1.

Internship 2:

This internship offers hands-on experience in health psychology research focused on improving how high blood pressure (hypertension) is managed, particularly why some patients do not take their medication as prescribed and why some experience difficulties with medications (multiple drug intolerances). Working with Dr Sian Jenkins at the University of Leicester and National Centre of Adherence Testing, the internship will provide insight into how research and clinical practice work together to improve patient care. Please contact Dr Sian Jenkins ([email protected]) for informal enquiries regarding internship 2

Duties and responsibilities

Over the course of the Internship, the post-holder will be involved in a variety of research activities to give them a range of experience in the field of Psychology, Health and Behaviour Change.

The main duties will be:

• Supporting recruitment and data collection for quantitative and qualitative research projects
• Supporting analysis of qualitative and quantitative data, including discussing interpretations of the data with the research team and writing up findings
• Dissemination of the research with lay audiences (e.g., social media, blog post)
• Undertaking training and development activities
• Helping to write and co-author manuscripts
• Undertaking literature searches
• Assisting doctoral researchers and postgraduate taught students
• Shadowing meetings and note-taking

Skills and experience

Skills, Abilities and Competencies

Essential

• Knowledge or experience of searching the literature and identifying relevant research studies
• Excellent organisational and time management skills with the ability to multitask
• Excellent oral communication skills
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.

Desirable

• Knowledge or experience of qualitative researchKnowledge or experience of quantitative research

Qualifications, Knowledge and Experience

Essential

• Undertaking an undergraduate degree in any field related to health. Must be in any year of study except those in final year and graduating this summer
• Passion for research in the field of psychology, health, behaviour change.
• Experience of working individually and as part of a team

Location
University of Leicester