Research Associate in Neuroscience (King's College London)

# Job description This is an exciting opportunity to gain and develop research skills. The successful candidate will play a key role in innovative studies investigating new approaches to understanding and treating schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. They will join Prof Oliver Howes' research group. This is based at the Institute of Psychiatry and Institute of Medical Sciences, two of the leading clinical research centres in the world, but also involves travel to other sites. The studies involve subject recruitment and collection of clinical, multimodal neuroimaging and other data in patients. The projects include a clinical trial of novel treatment approaches for treatment resistance, and its mechanisms, and investigating the synaptic and glutamate hypotheses of schizophrenia and the role of oxidative stress in mental disorders (supervised by Dr Katie Beck). The post-holder will have opportunities to get involved in data acquisition and analysis and develop their research interests within the projects. Training in research methods will be provided, and the post-holder will develop skills in using gold-standard diagnostic and clinical ratings, which will be useful 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. He/she 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. He/she will also work closely with other research staff in the project and foster effective collaborative working relationships with the local early intervention services for psychosis. The successful candidate will also be able to develop their own research interests under supervision. GMC registration is a requirement. This post will be offered on a full-time, fixed term contract for 12 months.# Key responsibilities The successful applicant will contribute to the successful conduct and completion of the research projects. Your primary duties will be: - To contribute to the identification, recruitment and assessment of patients and population-based controls. - To monitor and ensure the progress of case and control recruitment, and collection of all data (including clinical and Neuroimaging data such as PET, MR and MEG data). - To assess and monitor patients receiving standardised treatment (clinical sessions) working closely with our collaborators - To monitor and ensure data quality and integrity. - To oversee and contribute to the development of a study database and data entry. - To contribute to the administration and governance of the studies. - To organise and oversee weekly case and control tracking meetings, and quarterly steering group meetings. - To ensure an effective collaborative relationship with other research workers on the project, as well as with local clinical services and researchers on other related projects. - To prepare progress reports and papers for publication, as required. - To contribute to reports, and to the analysis data and the dissemination findings. - To develop your own research interests under discussion with line manager. - Other relevant activities as directed by the line manager 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. # Skills, knowledge, and experience Essential criteria 1. General Medical Council registration with a valid licence to practice 2. Experience of assessing patients with psychiatric disorders in UK or similar healthcare 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 organisational and time management skills 7. Ambitious, enthusiastic about research in this area, responsible, and flexible approach to work 8. Ability to work independently, work in a team and to deadlines 9. Evidence of strong academic potential and trajectory (eg prizes, distinctions, publications depending on career level) Desirable criteria 1. Relevant clinical and/or research experience, particularly in psychosis 2. Knowledge of managing research data and statistical analyses (such as SPSS or STATA) 3. Publications and/or presentations of research findings, particularly in psychosis, imaging or other relevant areas 4. Degree in relevant course (eg neuroscience, neuroimaging) 5. Training and/or experience with relevant psychiatric rating and/or neuroimaging measures ## Further information 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 post is subject to Disclosure and Barring Service and Occupational Health clearance. If you apply for this position please say you saw it on Psychoneuroxy

# Job description

This is an exciting opportunity to gain and develop research skills. The successful candidate will play a key role in innovative studies investigating new approaches to understanding and treating schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. They will join Prof Oliver Howes' research group. This is based at the Institute of Psychiatry and Institute of Medical Sciences, two of the leading clinical research centres in the world, but also involves travel to other sites.

The studies involve subject recruitment and collection of clinical, multimodal neuroimaging and other data in patients. The projects include a clinical trial of novel treatment approaches for treatment resistance, and its mechanisms, and investigating the synaptic and glutamate hypotheses of schizophrenia and the role of oxidative stress in mental disorders (supervised by Dr Katie Beck). The post-holder will have opportunities to get involved in data acquisition and analysis and develop their research interests within the projects. Training in research methods will be provided, and the post-holder will develop skills in using gold-standard diagnostic and clinical ratings, which will be useful 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. He/she 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. He/she will also work closely with other research staff in the project and foster effective collaborative working relationships with the local early intervention services for psychosis. The successful candidate will also be able to develop their own research interests under supervision.

GMC registration is a requirement.

This post will be offered on a full-time, fixed term contract for 12 months.# Key responsibilities

The successful applicant will contribute to the successful conduct and completion of the research projects.

Your primary duties will be:

- To contribute to the identification, recruitment and assessment of patients and population-based controls.
- To monitor and ensure the progress of case and control recruitment, and collection of all data (including clinical and Neuroimaging data such as PET, MR and MEG data).
- To assess and monitor patients receiving standardised treatment (clinical sessions) working closely with our collaborators
- To monitor and ensure data quality and integrity.
- To oversee and contribute to the development of a study database and data entry.
- To contribute to the administration and governance of the studies.
- To organise and oversee weekly case and control tracking meetings, and quarterly steering group meetings.
- To ensure an effective collaborative relationship with other research workers on the project, as well as with local clinical services and researchers on other related projects.
- To prepare progress reports and papers for publication, as required.
- To contribute to reports, and to the analysis data and the dissemination findings.
- To develop your own research interests under discussion with line manager.
- Other relevant activities as directed by the line manager

*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.*

# Skills, knowledge, and experience

**Essential criteria **

1.       General Medical Council registration with a valid licence to practice

2.       Experience of assessing patients with psychiatric disorders in UK or similar healthcare 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 organisational and time management skills

7.       Ambitious, enthusiastic about research in this area, responsible, and flexible approach to work

8.       Ability to work independently, work in a team and to deadlines

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

**Desirable criteria**

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

2.       Knowledge of managing research data and statistical analyses (such as SPSS or STATA)

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

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

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

## Further information

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