Clinical Research Associate in the Department of Psychosis Studies

Job id: 089927. Salary: £38,619 - £42,321 per annum, plus £2,162 London Weighting Allowance.

Posted: 21 May 2024. Closing date: 11 June 2024.

Business unit: IoPPN. Department: Psychosis Studies.

Contact details:Katherine Beck. [email protected]

Location: Denmark Hill Campus. Category: Research.

The candidate will be based at the Department of Psychosis Studies at the Institute of Psychiatry, one of the leading clinical research centres in the world, and the South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust. The post also involves some travel to other sites in London. 

This is an exciting opportunity to gain and develop clinical research skills. The successful candidate will play a key role in innovative studies investigating new approaches to understanding and treating schizophrenia.

Training in research methods will be provided, and the post-holder will develop skills in using gold-standard diagnostic and clinical rating scales, which will provide a strong foundation for future research and clinical practice.

Working closely with the Lead Investigators, the successful candidate will ensure the successful conduct and completion of the research programme. The post holder will have the opportunity to get involved in all aspects of the study, including patient recruitment and collection of clinical, neuroimaging and EEG data in patients with schizophrenia.

They will also gain unique experience in the assessment and management of patients with schizophrenia. They will contribute to the collection and analysis of data and play a key role in the assessment and monitoring of patients, which will constitute clinical sessions and may count towards training. They will also work closely with other research staff in the project and foster effective collaborative working relationships with the local community mental health teams. The successful candidate will also be able to develop their own research interests under supervision.

The project will allow the successful candidate to develop skills in psychopharmacology, and leadership and management key to future clinical jobs at registra and consultant level.

The post would be ideal for a clinician with an interest in cutting edge neuroimaging and psychopharmacology. There is potential to develop a project for an MD/ PhD for a suitable candidate.

This will be a fixed term contract up to 1 year. There is some flexibility over the start date. This is a full time post- 100% full time equivalent (requests for part time may be considered). 

GMC registration is a requirement.

To be successful in this role, we are looking for candidates to have the following skills and experience:

Essential criteria

1.      Full GMC registration with valid license to practice

2.      Experience of assessing patients with psychiatric disorders in UK or similar health settings

3.      Interest and commitment to psychiatric research

4.      Ability to think creatively and critically

5.      Ability to address research or audit questions

6.      Good organizational or management skills

7.      Flexible problem solving approach

8.      Ability to work independently, work in teams to deadlines

9.      Evidence of a strong academic potential and trajectory (eg prizes, distinctions, publications dependent on career level)

Desirable criteria

1.      Relevant clinical and/or research experience, particularly in psychosis.

2.      Publications and/or presentations of research findings, particularly in psychosis, imaging or other relevant areas

3.      Degree in relevant course (eg neuroscience, neuroimaging)

4.      Training and/or experience with relevant psychiatric rating and/or neuroimaging measures

Full details of the role and the skills and experience required, can be found in the attached job description which provided on the next page.

We pride ourselves on being inclusive and welcoming. We embrace diversity and want everyone to feel that they belong and are connected to others in our community.

We are committed to working with our staff and unions on these and other issues, to continue to support our people and to develop a diverse and inclusive culture at King's.

We ask all candidates to submit a copy of their CV, and a supporting statement, detailing how they meet the essential criteria listed in the advert. If we receive a strong field of candidates, we may use the desirable criteria to choose our final shortlist, so please include your evidence against these where possible.

To find out how our managers review your application, please take a look at our ‘How we Recruit ’ pages.

This role does meet the requirements of the Home Office and therefore we are  able to offer sponsorship for candidates who require the right to work in the UK.

This post is subject to Disclosure and Barring Service and/or Occupational Health clearances.