Research Assistant

Researchers at the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience (IoPPN), King’s College London, have been funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) to lead a randomised controlled trial that will explore the acceptability of a new virtual reality (VR) communication training programme for family carers of people living with a severe mental health condition.

The programme, titled CareVR, uses virtual reality is designed to support family carers in their communication styles with care recipients whose content and style of communication are negatively affected by their mental health experiences. The project, led by Dr Juliana Onwumere, is seeking to recruit a full-time research assistant to lead on the delivery of the VR communication training intervention.

We are seeking an enthusiastic and experienced Research Assistant with an interest in and experience of working with family carers and severe mental health conditions to join CareVR.

The postholder will take a lead on the delivery of the VR communication training for family carers randomised to the intervention arm of the trial. Key aspects of the role include delivering the communication training sessions to trial participants, in accordance with the protocol; development and managing participant databases along with accurate recording of notes, data entry, and data cleaning; participant communication and documentation on randomisation outcomes; supporting with study advertisement and participant recruitment; administrative tasks including attendance at project meetings, providing data summaries, minute taking, accurate record keeping, and dissemination activities will also form part of the key duties for the postholder.

The postholder will also have opportunities to contribute to publications, reports and dissemination activities, and engage in training in support of their role.

This is a full-time post, on a fixed term contract until 31st May 2028.

Research staff at King’s are entitled to at least 10 days per year (pro-rata) for professional development. This entitlement, from the Concordat to Support the Career Development of Researchers, applies to Postdocs, Research Assistants, Research and Teaching Technicians, Teaching Fellows and AEP equivalent up to and including grade 7. Visit the Centre for Research Staff Development for more information.

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

Essential criteria

Desirable criteria

Downloading a copy of our Job Description

Full details of the role and the skills, knowledge and experience required can be found in the Job Description document, provided at the bottom of the page. This document will provide information of what criteria will be assessed at each stage of the recruitment process.

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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 person specification section of the job description. 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.

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