Research Assistant
Barretstown is a charity organisation located in Ballymore Eustace, County Kildare which serves children affected by cancer and other serious illness through its residential programmes and through outreach programmes in hospitals, schools and communities across Ireland. Barretstown has served over 150,000 campers since it was founded in 1994.
Barretstown is Ireland’s largest provider of medically endorsed therapeutic camps and programmes for children affected by cancer and other serious illnesses. Its services align to the objectives of the National Cancer Strategy in providing for the unmet psychosocial needs of children impacted by cancer and other serious illnesses.
The Opportunity
We are seeking to hire a highly skilled Research Assistant Psychologist on a part time specified purpose contract for 16 months working 2.5 days a week to support further development of the Psychosocial Clinical Research Program in Barretstown. The role will be ideal for a candidate who holds a very keen and demonstrable interest, matched by experience in the psychosocial needs of children and adolescents, particularly those who are impacted by cancer or other serious illnesses. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to work with our Director of Partnerships, and their research work will be supervised by the Clinical Psychosocial Research Lead in Barretstown.
Summary of Roles and Responsibilities
Reporting to the Director of Partnership and working under the supervision of a Clinical Psychosocial Research Lead, this is an ideal opportunity for individuals seeking to develop patient centred research experience in psychosocial clinical research with children and families. The successful candidate will be working in one of the leading charities in psycho-social care.
Summary of tasks including supporting and assisting with:
➢Conducting systematic and/or scoping literature reviews.
➢Data collection, storage, and analysis as required.
➢Recruitment, screening, and consenting of participants.
➢Data collection, storage, and analysis as required
➢Project milestones and deliverables achieved on time.
➢Monitoring progress of the research programme, reporting, dissemination etc.
➢Any other duties as may be assigned from time to time
Candidates should note that all data, review materials, reports and all associated items remain the exclusive property of Barretstown.
Essential Criteria
- Candidates must have a Psychological Society of Ireland (PSI)* accredited qualification at not less than a Level 8 at 2.1 honours grade on the QQI qualifications framework, in which psychology was a major subject or a level 8 honours degree in another subject together with an accredited conversion qualification at a minimum of 2.1 as conferring eligibility for graduate membership of the Psychological Society of Ireland or a qualification equivalent to either of the aforementioned, which would allow the applicant to become a graduate member of the PSI
- Candidates need to have experience as a Research Assistant or Assistant Psychologist in a related discipline working or Assistant Psychologist working with children and /or adults with serious illness
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Ability to operate effectively as part of a team – collaborative and willing to help others, adheres to team and organisational standards, shares work and information;
- Establishes rapport, can influence and develop effective networks
- Knowledge of MS Office suite
- Attention to details and organised
- Flexibility within a busy environment; can shift focus when required
- Committed to the research group and its development; demonstrate enthusiasm and passion for the role
- Candidates must demonstrate an awareness of the values of the organisation and operate in line with these values in their role
- Candidates must be eligible to work in the Republic of Ireland. Barretstown is not in a position to support applications for work permits for this role
- It is necessary that candidates have access to their own transport and possess a full driving licence
- This role is a hybrid role based onsite at Barretstown, with some remote working. It should be expected that working onsite on Wednesday of each week will be required. Candidates will also need to work some weekends onsite at Barretstown for the purpose of data collection
Desirable Criteria
- Master’s in applied psychology, research or another relevant area
- Experience in conducting scoping review and/or systematic literature review
- Previous experience of working as Research Assistant and / or Assistant Psychologist with children or young adults with serious illness
- Demonstrable experience in data analysis and statistical analysis (e.g. SPSS)
- Experience both with qualitative and quantitative analyses
- Experience in supporting research dissemination and publications
- Previous experience working with or volunteering with Barretstown
- Experience of working or volunteering with children with cancer
Applications with a cover letter should be sent to [email protected] by July 12th, 2026
Interviews for shortlisted candidates will take place on 22nd July onsite at Barretstown
This role commences in September 2026
The salary for this role is €17,250 per annum (full time equivalent €34,500 per annum)
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Pay: €17,250.00 per year
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Ballymore Eustace, County Kildare
