Research Associate in the Department of Psychosis Studies

We are looking for a Postdoctoral Research Associate to work as part of a research team investigating the brain changes that occur in people with a diagnosis of schizophrenia using advanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and positron emission tomography (PET) neuroimaging techniques.   

The project involves acquisition and analyses of advanced neuroimaging data, acquired on combined PET- MR and 7 Tesla (7T) MRI scanners. The postholder would also contribute to recruitment and assessment of healthy volunteers and people with a diagnosis of schizophrenia, ensuring all participants have a positive experience of research participation.  

The postholder will be part of a multidisciplinary team, including researchers with expertise in the neurobiology of schizophrenia, PET and MR data acquisition and analyses, and clinicians. They will work within the Department of Psychosis Studies at the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience (IoPPN), Denmark Hill campus. They will be required to travel to St Thomas’ Hospital campus where the PET-MR and 7T MRI scanners are located, and within South London and the Maudsley (SLaM) NHS Foundation Trust to support patient recruitment.  

The project is funded by the Medical Research Council (MRC), U.K. 

This post will be offered on a full-time, fixed term contract for 4 years. 

Key responsibilities

• To acquire PET and MRI data in adults with / without schizophrenia. 
• To contribute to participant recruitment and assessment. 
• To analyse neuroimaging data in accordance with the study hypotheses 
• To prepare scientific publications in peer-reviewed journals 
• To maintain study databases to excellent standards, ensuring data quality and integrity. 
• To ensure adherence to study protocols, training and administrative requirements 
• To ensure that all data is treated confidentially, in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR).  
• To develop and maintain an effective collaborative relationship with SLaM clinical teams to support participant recruitment and retainment in the study.  
• To work collaboratively with others in the direct research team, at the imaging facilities, and wider research teams within the Department of Psychosis Studies and IoPPN.  
• To continually update own knowledge and understanding of the field and practical skills in neuroimaging data analyses.  
• To develop own research interests  
• Occasional teaching / supervision of postgraduate students will be encouraged. 
• To contribute to administrative and other duties as directed.  

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.  

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