Network Plus for Analytical Behavioural Science in Security and Defence Research in Practice Placement Opportunity

Host Name:

Network Plus for Analytical Behavioural Science in Security and Defence, Lancaster University (https://crestresearch.ac.uk/nabs)

Main Point of Contact / Placement Supervisor:

Cassie Lowery

Location:

• The placement can be undertaken either fully remotely or on campus at Lancaster University, where desk space will be provided.
• Flexible working hours agreed between the student and host (part-time arrangements possible). The student will be supported through regular weekly team meetings, one-to-one supervision, and opportunities to engage with the team through a mix of virtual and hybrid meeting arrangements. A laptop can also be loaned for use on the project, whether the student chooses to work remotely or on campus.
• The placement is expected to last between two to three months.

Placement Period:

This is a 2 or 3-month placement and can be part-time or full-time. The anticipated start date is 13 July.

How to Apply:

• The opportunity is open to current ESRC-funded students only. (Official Document)
• Applications should include a CV and covering letter, outlining reason for interest in the position and relevant expertise
• a completed ESRC placement funding permission form.
• Applications should be emailed to: c.lowery@lancaster.ac.uk
• Students are also advised to contact scdtp@soton.ac.uk to express their interest.

Deadline to Apply:

Deadline for applications is the 28th of June 2026.

Number of placements available:

To be confirmed.

Placement Details and Organisation Summary:

Summary Brief

The Network Plus for Analytical Behavioural Science (NABS+) in Security and Defence is a UKRI‑funded network that seeks to develop the next generation of analytical and behavioural scientists for national security and defence. NABS+ brings together a community of researchers, practitioners, and stakeholders to advance research using new forms of data and analytics to improve public safety in areas of risk, inference, influence, and futures.

Placement opportunity available:

• This placement will support a rapid review assessing evidence relating to behavioural markers of wellbeing, with a specific focus on workplace-deployable, unobtrusive methods of measurement.
• Public safety, defence, and security-related work can place significant psychological and physical demands on personnel, yet organisational wellbeing monitoring often relies on self-report measures that can be limited by low participation and barriers to disclosure.
• This project aims to synthesise evidence on alternative behavioural approaches to wellbeing assessment, alongside associated ethical and organisational considerations.
• This placement will provide an opportunity to be a core member of the review team.
• Day-to-day collaboration will be facilitated through shared digital workspaces, while weekly team meetings and one-to-one supervision will provide structured opportunities for guidance, feedback, and active participation in team discussions.
• The project will provide experience in evidence synthesis, including data extraction, synthesis, and writing for both academic publication and stakeholder audiences.

Key activities will include:

• Contributing as a second extractor, independently extracting study data in line with the pre-registered protocol
• Assisting with data verification and quality assurance
• Contribute to analysis and narrative synthesis
• Co-authoring outputs in the form of a journal article for publication, alongside a short report of the findings for non-academic stakeholders which will be publicly available on the NABS+ channels

Support Provided:

• The student will receive an induction to the project, access to all protocols and materials, and regular supervision from the project lead.
• Ongoing guidance will be provided throughout the placement, with opportunities to develop advanced skills in systematic evidence synthesis, methodological appraisal, and collaborative academic writing.

Skills & attributes summary – Essential Skills:

• Current ESRC-funded PhD student in psychology, behavioural science, or a related discipline
• Strong understanding of research design and methods, particularly within psychological or behavioural research
• Ability to extract and organise complex study information accurately and consistently
• Confidence using Microsoft Excel and structured data extraction tools
• Strong analytical and written communication skills
• Ability to work independently while collaborating closely with the project lead

Skills & attributes summary – Desirable Skills:

• Previous experience as a research assistant on evidence synthesis projects
• Familiarity with methodological appraisal tools (e.g. MMAT, CASP, or similar)
• Interest in wellbeing research, behavioural measurement, or ethical deployment of monitoring technologies
• Experience contributing to academic publications