Deputy Research Coordinator (GLAD MHG)

About us

The post will be based in the KCL Social, Genetic, and Developmental Psychiatry Centre, within the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience (IoPPN).  

The centre offers a diverse research environment that is open, welcoming and supportive to all. The faculty-wide initiatives are supported by an active Diversity & Inclusion Team.

The Social, Genetic & Developmental Psychiatry (SGDP) Centre is uncovering the genetic and environmental influences on mental health and psychiatric disorders. Our research encompasses behavioural genetics, molecular genetics, experimental psychology and psychiatry, and neuroimaging. Scientists at the SGDP lead some of the UK’s foremost longitudinal cohort and twin studies including TEDS, eRISK, Dunedin, IMAGEN and GLAD.

The NIHR BioResource Centre Maudsley leads the NIHR BioResource for Mental Health. We focus on recruiting participants experiencing mental health conditions, as well as healthy people.

Alongside GLAD MHG and The GLAD study, Prof. Breen’s team boasts an accomplished portfolio of clinical and genetic studies which aim to improve treatment and outcomes for those affected by anxiety, depression, eating disorders and other mental health conditions. 

We are recruiting a highly motivated professional to support the delivery of the large-scale Genetic Links to Anxiety and Depression Mental Health Goals programme (GLAD MHG) and associated projects within the NIHR Bioresource Centre Maudsley, working closely with Professor Gerome Breen.

About the role

The Deputy Research Coordinator will lead day-to-day laboratory operations and biosample logistics for GLAD-MHG: establish site readiness, oversee sample flows from collection to accessioning, embed ISO 17025-aligned quality practices, and drive continual improvements in throughput, cost, and auditability.

Prof. Breen’s team boasts ambitious and accomplished portfolio of clinical and genetic studies which aim to improve treatment and outcomes for those affected by anxiety, depression, eating disorders and other mental health conditions. 

Despite being a leading cause of disability worldwide, Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is an underserved market segment with significant unmet medical need, GLAD MHG will leverage proven success and substantial investment from KCL, the NIHR Maudsley BRC, and NIHR BioResource in the GLAD study to create a trial-ready dataset integrating detailed phenotyping, multi-omics, and medical records to support MDD precision psychiatry.

The role requires a skilled operational manager, with the ability to forge effective working relationships with collaborators and interdisciplinary academic teams working on related MHG workstreams. 

This is a full-time post available from 1st of April 2026 and you will be offered a fixed-term contract initially for 2 years, that, with the possibility of extension. 

About you

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

Essential criteria

• Postgraduate Degree (or equivalent experience) in a relevant biomedical/biological discipline.
• Hands-on experience running laboratory operations or core service workflows (accessioning, QC, rotas, documentation).
• Demonstrable expertise in biosample logistics/chain-of-custody in multi-site or high-throughput settings.
• Strong grasp of QMS and audit fundamentals (SOPs, equipment logs, IQC/EQC, CAPA), ideally aligned to ISO 17025 or similar.
• Experience coordinating and developing technical staff; maintaining competency records and training.
• Excellent stakeholder communication; service-oriented and clear under time pressure.
• Organised, detail-driven, able to manage competing deadlines & solve problems pragmatically.
• Working knowledge of LIMS/barcoding, inventory systems and controlled-document platforms (e.g., SharePoint/iPassport).

Desirable criteria

•  Experience standing up new laboratory workflows/sites (readiness checks, SOP development, training).
•  Prior exposure to NHS/academic multi-centre studies and courier/cold-chain management.
• Formal training in quality/auditing and/or biosafety.
• Familiarity with service-improvement methods (Lean/5S) and dashboarding (Excel/Power BI)

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