Research Associate

About the role

We are looking for a Research Associate, based at the Cicely Saunders Institute, King’s College London, to join a newly funded Centre of Excellence in Paediatric Palliative Care, funded by Kentown Support charity.

Kentown Support are a new independent charity with the goal of improving the provision of community palliative care for children and families across the UK. This Centre of Excellence will undertake and disseminate high quality research and provide evidenced-based education and training for health and social care professionals and family members caring for children and young people with life-limiting conditions. The centre will inform policy and drive innovations in care delivery and organisation to enable all children and young people to have access to the care they require, including palliative care, when and where they need it.

The research associate will work closely with Professor Lorna Fraser (Chair in  Palliative Care and Child Health) on an economic evaluation and  systemic review with Dr Victoria Fisher. The project involves recruiting and supporting questionnaire completion with parents of children with life limiting conditions and their children where appropriate.They will also support the delivery of a systematic review of trauma informed care.

The awardee will develop a diverse set of research skills in health services and social care research and gain experience in collaborative research of national and international significance. We are seeking an innovative, well-organised, dynamic and promising individual who is motivated to further develop their career. This is an outstanding development opportunity for a talented individual who wishes to advance excellent and innovative research on improving care for children and young people with life limiting conditions. 

This is a part-time post (50% FTE) and will be offered as a fixed term contract for 12 months starting from 1/2/2026.

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

About You

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

Essential criteria

• First Degree in relevant  health related discipline 
• PhD qualified in relevant subject area i.e. including but not restricted to health services research, palliative care, child health, psychology *
• Experience in questionnaire data collection and systematic reviews 
• Ability to use initiative and work independently, with support from the wider team, and willingness to travel, if necessary, for interviews, conferences, and so on
• Experience of contributing to formal processes of study development, such as writing the protocol, developing data collection materials, applying for ethical approval (or amendments) and writing up reports and academic papers 
• Excellent presentation and communication skills (written & verbal)
• Being self-motivated and willing to work independently, as well as part of a larger interdisciplinary team

* Please note that this is a PhD level role but candidates who have submitted their thesis and are awaiting award of their PhDs will be considered. In these circumstances the appointment will be made at Grade 5, spine point 30 with the title of Research Assistant. Upon confirmation of the award of the PhD, the job title will become Research Associate and the salary will increase to Grade 6. 

Desirable criteria

• Previous experience of working with parents and young people with life-limiting conditions
• Engaging in multidisciplinary research projects 
• Strong publication record

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