Research Assistant / Research Associate

Salary:

Grade 5: £39,076 - £43,909 per annum;

Grade 6: £45,031 - £48,607 per annum, including London Weighting

About the role:

This is an exciting position where the successful candidate will have the opportunity to work as part of an internationally leading team of researchers investigating cannabinoid-based treatments for neurodegenerative and psychiatric disorders. As part of this role, the appointed person will be directly involved in a new line of research investigating the safety and efficacy of a novel cannabinoid-based pharmacological treatment for psychosis in Lewy Body Dementia (LBD). They will play a key role in the multi-centre Alzheimer’s Research UK funded randomised clinical trial to evaluate a new pharmacological treatment for people with psychosis in LBD which includes Dementia of Lewy body type and Parkinson’s disease dementia.

The successful candidate will have an MSc in a relevant subject (e.g. neurodegenerative disorders, clinical trials, clinical neuroscience, psychiatric research, mental health studies) and relevant clinical /research experience (e.g. dementia or other neurodegenerative disorders, clinical trials) is essential. This position may also suit a researcher who has either had their PhD viva and/or have submitted corrections and are awaiting the award of their PhD.

The successful applicant will play a key role in coordinating and management of trial sites, recruitment and assessments of patients with LBD taking part in the study and along with a team of researchers will contribute to the collection of clinical trial data. The applicant will receive appropriate training and supervision in the assessment of cognitive and non-cognitive symptoms of Lewy body dementia, data processing and analysis; and any other relevant training and will work closely with other research and clinical staff working on the project, fostering effective working relationships with appropriate local services.

The person will be based in the Centre for Healthy Brain and Ageing, Department of Psychological Medicine, School of Academic Psychiatry, IoPPN at KCL and will work closely with Dr Latha Velayudhan and other investigators based at King’s College London, in particular Prof Sagnik Bhattacharyya, based in the department of Psychosis Studies at King’s College London. 

This is a single position and the candidate will either be appointed as a Research Assistant (Grade 5) or Research Associate (Grade 6). It is full-time post, funded for 36 months with an anticipated start from January 2027.

About you:

Essential criteria

• Either MSc in a relevant subject (e.g. neurodegenerative disorders, clinical trials, clinical neuroscience, psychiatric research, mental health studies) (for Grade 5) or PhD awarded or at least handed in their thesis for PhD in Psychiatry, Neuroscience or related subjects (for Grade 6). 
• Self-motivated with ability to work independently and having good organizational, problem-solving and time management skills.
• Skills and experience recruiting clinical participants for research.
• Previous research experience in dementia or other neurodegenerative disorders, experimental medicine studies or clinical trials. 
• Excellent IT skills, including the Microsoft Office Package.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills to develop and maintain effective working relationships. 
• Has experience/ ability to prepare ethical, research and development applications and knowledge of research governance

Desirable criteria

• Good understanding of data protection and patient confidentiality. 
• Previous management or organisation of research projects, clinical trials and multiple sites. 
• Ability to work with clinical teams in research and ability to deal sensitively with study participants and their families/carers.
• Publication record appropriate for career stage. 
• Willingness to travel on project business when required.

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