What’s the project?
The CIRCuiTS project uses a digital therapy called cognitive remediation. Cognitive remediation is a digital psychological intervention which has been shown to improve brain cognition and functioning. Practicing the digital tasks can support and overcome barriers to recovery in people living with mental health.
The research team plan to develop an artificial intelligence chatbot to support the safe, effective and efficient delivery of CIRCuiTS. The work will take place together with the help of a team of lived experience experts. The chatbot can act as a co-therapist and support engagement with the intervention.
The CIRCuiTS study is led by Kings College London and funded by the Wellcome Trust. For more information see the study website: (link) and the McPin website project page: (link)
Find out more
The project will last 5 years and will start in mid 2026. There will be four online meetings each year, occasional in-person workshops, focus groups and there will also be email tasks throughout.
We are looking for 9 UK based people who live in or close to London. You must be aged 16 to 35 and have lived experience of depression, schizophrenia spectrum or bipolar with a diagnosis.
You must have some previous experience supporting public and patient involvement.
Through a series of online and in-person meetings and tasks set by email, you will help support and develop an artificial intelligence chatbot to support use of the CIRCuiTS app which is designed to improve cognition and thinking skills in people with a depression, schizophrenia spectrum or bipolar diagnosis.
- Age 16-35 years
- Has lived experience of mental illness (depression, schizophrenia spectrum or bipolar diagnosis).
- Has an interest in apps and digital technology.
- Some experience of supporting projects with Patient and Public Involvement.
- Lives in the UK, in or near London.
- Can travel to Central London for the occasional in-person workshop.
- Can attend online meetings using MS Teams or Zoom. You will need a personal computer or smartphone, with a camera and microphone. You will also need headphones with a microphone, if not in a private space.
- Mental health problems and experiences affect everyone, but involvement in research does not always reflect this. Therefore, we actively seeking applications from Black, Asian and Minority ethnic groups. We would especially like to hear from those who have experienced difficult life experiences (for example: seldom-heard groups, low-income backgrounds) and those who identify with being neurodivergent.
Payment will be offered at £25 an hour. This will be offered for both online and in-person meetings, workshops, focus groups and email tasks.
As we are planning occasional in person meetings, we are looking to recruit people who live close to the meeting venue in London. Reasonable travel and subsistence costs for occasional in-person meetings will be provided.
We also have a digital exclusion fund and can make reasonable adjustments if there are access needs.
If you are interested in applying, please download and complete the attached application form. Once complete please send to Alex Kenny [email protected] Senior Public Involvement in Research Officer at the McPin Foundation.
Alex can help you with your application if you have any accessibility needs. Please contact Alex at [email protected] if you have any questions.
Before joining the group, we will offer you a call with a member of McPin staff. Nothing scary! This is purely so you can meet us, ask us any questions, and for us to ask you about any accessibility needs, or any support you need from us. In this call we will ask for a form of age verification, a document with your photo, name and date of birth. This could be a passport, Student ID card, voter ID, access card, drivers’ licence, proof of age card etc. If you have any worries about not having an appropriate document, please reach out and one of our team can support!
You are welcome to send your responses in audio or video format if preferred! If you need any help completing your expression of interest, you can get in touch with Alex Kenny.
The deadline is 6pm on Friday 27th March 2026. This is an extended deadline.
Please note that the McPin Foundation regularly promotes opportunities on behalf of other institutions; we are not responsible for the continuation or contents of further correspondence with any project partners where we are not listed as the project main point of contact.
