Research Assistant Dementia Studies

We are looking to appoint a Research Assistant to join the Oxford Dementia and Ageing Research (OxDARE) team based in the Psychiatry Department, University of Oxford, at the Warneford Hospital. OxDARE was established by the NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre to define the vision and set strategic priorities to establish Oxford as a world-leading centre for translational research promoting Cognitive Health. Now funded from a variety of sources, including the NIHR Oxford health Biomedical Research Centre, OxDARE co-ordinates and supports the work of a number of teams involved in translational cognitive health research.   

The post is for a fixed term (funded to 31 December 2024) and is full-time. 

Deep and Frequent Phenotyping (DFP) Study

The National Institute for Health Research / Medical Research Council funded Deep and Frequent Phenotyping study is a repeated measures observational design in prodromal Alzheimer’s Dementia. This complex study includes a wide range of assessments ranging from PET and other imaging to analyses of CSF and blood, and including EEG, MEG, computerized cognitive and gait assessments. The study also includes a participant acceptability component conducted by colleagues from the Alzheimer’s Society. The aim is to identify the best combination of markers to measure change and to stratify participants in clinical trials of therapeutics in dementia and pre-dementia conditions. The study is sponsored and managed centrally by the University of Oxford and runs in five additional centres within the UK.

You will focus on the DFP study and will have the responsibility to recruit participants, conduct and coordinate visits as appropriate involving cognitive and clinical assessments, as well as EEG, MEG, PET and MRI scanning.  You will be liaising with study researchers about management of participant visits, including psychological tests and MRI scanning.

You will have an undergraduate degree in Psychology or other relevant discipline (2:1 or higher) along with a strong interest in cognitive neuroscience or clinical psychology. With the ability to work with patients and older participants, you will have knowledge of research in dementia/cognitive disorders, as well as knowledge of research design and experimental methods.   A research background in dementia, neurodegeneration or neuroscience would be desirable, as would data handling experience and an aptitude for statistical analysis. 

You will be required to upload a covering letter/supporting statement and a CV as part of your application.

The closing date for this post is 12.00 midday on 4th March 2024