Research Assistant in the Department of Psychological Medicine

Job id: 087809. Salary: £37,332 - £42,099 per annum, including London Weighting Allowance.

Posted: 15 April 2024. Closing date: 29 April 2024.

Business unit: IoPPN. Department: Psychological Medicine.

Contact details:Dr Rebecca Strawbridge. [email protected]

Location: Denmark Hill Campus. Category: Research.

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced researcher to work in the Centre for Affective Disorders (CfAD). The CfAD is a centre of excellence for understanding the science related to these illnesses and uses this knowledge to help develop new treatments of all types including psychological and pharmacological.    

This role will work closely with Professor Allan Young (Head of School and director of the Centre for Affective Disorders) and Dr Rebecca Strawbridge, Lecturer in Psychological Medicine. The opportunity will focus on setting up and coordinating an exciting new clinical study focused on improving care for people undergoing treatment for bipolar disorders. This will include contributions to the study protocol, obtaining approvals, recruiting participants, data collection and support throughout the study and within a multidisciplinary team. There will also be the opportunity for involvement in other collaborative research studies including data collection, analysis and systematic reviews.  

The successful candidate will demonstrate experience of research study administration and management following GCP guidelines, experience of ethics applications, and experience of working with people experiencing affective disorders.   

This post will offer a breadth of experience in affective disorders research, from recruitment to study management, analysis, writing and publication. As such, this is an ideal opportunity for someone wishing to progress a career in mental health research.  

This post will be offered on a full-time, fixed term contract for 2 years.

• Coordinating research study administration (including approvals, data management, ensuring conduct in accordance with data protection guidelines and relevant SOPs)
• Identification, screening, recruitment, and assessment of research participants
• Administering research assessments
• Plan and undertake data analyses.
• Contributing to data analysis, writing articles for publication and other dissemination activities
• To contribute, as required, to other activities or studies, and occasionally perform other general tasks as they arise, that are appropriate to the grade as directed by the Principal Investigator or Study Coordinator of the project.

The above list of responsibilities may not be exhaustive, and the post holder will be required to undertake such tasks and responsibilities as may reasonably be expected within the scope and grading of the post.

Essential criteria

1.       First degree and a Masters level qualification in a relevant subject

2.       Evidence of continued professional / educational development

3.       Excellent project management skills and teamwork

4.       Excellent communication and presentation skills

5.       Knowledge of ethics and research governance procedures

6.       High level of organisational skills, problem solving and planning

7.       Excellent written English and writing stills including report / paper writing with ability to compose detailed documents

8.       Experience in the management or co-ordination of clinical studies

9.       Experience of database management and data analysis using statistical software

10.   Experience of research interviewing, including psychological measures and clinical assessments in patient groups

Desirable criteria

1.       GCP training and Human Tissue Act and Informed Consent training

2.       Peer-reviewed publications as first author

3.       Experience working with affective disorders or similar patient groups

This post is subject to Disclosure and Barring Service and Occupational Health clearance.