Behavioural Psychologist Ref. 2112

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Mission Enablers
Central London
£52,788 depending on experience and qualifications

Full or part-time, Secondment, Flexible working, Job share and Compressed hours all considered.

We are looking for behavioural scientists to support our planning, delivery and management through high-quality advice on social and psychological aspects of our work. Working as a part of a supportive, multi-disciplinary team you will capture requirements, commission work, communicate findings to colleagues, and support innovation to build behavioural science insights into UK intelligence capabilities.

You will provide evidenced-based, psychological perspectives with a focus on understanding complex human systems and the factors that drive behaviour and behaviour change. There will also be opportunities to participate in internal and external research and innovation projects.

We are interested in people from a range of backgrounds and disciplinary expertise educated to at least Masters level, and ideally holding (or be near to completing) a doctorate. This will be coupled with training in a behavioural or social science discipline and a deep understanding of human behaviour.

Your discipline could be academic, applied or practitioner psychology. People with a background in criminology, anthropology, human geography, sociology or forensic linguistics could make a valuable contribution. We’re also interested in people with a computer science, cyber security or data science background who have applied their expertise to the analysis of human behaviour and social systems. We need people with a strong background in the delivery of applied research and innovation, which may include a record of academic publications. Experience of analysis of online data would be an advantage, as would experience in computational social science or behavioural analytics.

You do not need any experience of working in a national security context as training will be given. However, you will be able to demonstrate experience of applying your specialist skills to complex research or practical problems. You will have a proven ability to communicate effectively with people from a range of backgrounds. You should excel when working as part of a multi-disciplinary team as well as being able to work autonomously where the role requires.

The more senior roles require experience of programme management and leadership of behavioural science research and teams.

Please do not deselect yourself if you feel you do not have direct experience of working in Intelligence or Security. If you are a competent clinical/counselling psychologist in your area with strong formulation, risk assessment and interpersonal skills, we are keen to receive your application.

We are an all-inclusive employer, committed to diversity in our workforce. We would be particularly interested in receiving applications from behavioural and social scientists from a BAME background.

Personal Qualities

  • A keenness to work as part of a team, and yet confidence to work autonomously.
  • A natural gravitas and credibility when presenting a psychological perspective to non-psychologists.
  • A customer-focus; enhanced listening, empathy and communication skills.
  • A resilience for working under pressure and turning around assessments and advice within short time scales.
  • A commitment to evidence based practice and psychological codes of conduct, alongside a pragmatism for delivering client solutions.
  • A willingness and ability to travel and be away from home for short periods of time.
  • Demonstrable strong commitment to ethical, evidence-based practice and to continuous professional development.

Specific skills and capabilities

  • Relevant Master’s or Doctorate in behavioural or social science.
  • Experience of applying behavioural or social science to real-World problems.
  • Experience of conducting high quality behavioural or social science research.
  • Coaching and supervision skills.
  • A very constructive approach to learning and development – of both self and others.
  • The cognitive flexibility and motivation to design training programmes, sometimes on previously unfamiliar topics, ensuring that these are grounded and evidenced in psychological theory.
  • A natural ability and interest in developing the behavioural science knowledge of non-psychologists, with the aim of augmenting the quality and efficacy of other people’s practice.
  • A rigorous approach to considering cross-cultural, religious, gender and personality differences in producing psychological formulations and risk management plans.
  • Basic IT competence.

Preferred additional experience or qualifications

  • Skills in applied behavioural analysis and behaviour change techniques.
  • Expertise in human factors of cybersecurity.
  • Understanding of online behaviours and computer mediated communication.
  • Experience in Computational Social Science or Behavioural Analytics.
  • Experience of delivering and/or leading high-quality behavioural science research.
  • Experience of working with other government departments and/or in military/police/security settings.
  • Experience of, and commitment to, public service .
  • Experience of using new technology to enable clinical psychological or behavioural science-based assessments, interventions and research.
  • Experience of working cross-culturally and/or working or living overseas.
  • Foreign language skills.
  • Advanced IT skills.

This Program / Vacancy is closed to applications.