About King's:
From its earliest years, the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience (IoPPN) has been fundamentally changing and shaping how we understand, prevent and treat mental illness and other conditions that affect the brain. The legacy, ethos and drive of the IoPPN has ensured its position at the forefront of mental health care, redefining mental illness, its treatment and its place in society.
The IoPPN is divided into 14 academic departments across three major academic Schools: Academic Psychiatry, Mental Health & Psychological Sciences, and Neuroscience.
The Department of Psychosis Studies, part of the School of Academic Psychiatry, is one of the world's leading centres for research into psychotic disorders. Our research includes the following major themes: Comorbidities & transdiagnostic approaches; Interventions; Neuroscience & biological mechanisms; Prediction and analytics; Risk factors and population health; and Treatment resistance. Our work involves a wide range of methodologies, including artificial intelligence/ digital technologies and interventions, cognitive neuroscience approaches, epidemiology, experimental medicine and clinical trials, ex vivo analyses, genomics, health service and applied research, meta-analysis and evidence synthesis, prevention and early intervention, psychological approaches, psychopathology/ phenomenology, neuroimaging, real world data analyses and natural language processing, and stem cell techniques.
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 and play a key role in a new line of research investigating the safety, efficacy and mechanism of action of a novel cannabinoid-based pharmacological treatment for Parkinson's disease psychosis. The team has a particular interest in investigating the mechanism of action of cannabinoids and a key component of this program of work will involve the application of cutting-edge neuroimaging techniques (such as fMRI) to investigate the neural substrates underpinning the harmful effects of recreational cannabis use as well as potential therapeutic effects of cannabinoids.
As part of this role, the appointed person will be directly involved in a multi-centre randomised clinical trial to evaluate this new pharmacological treatment for people with Parkinson's disease Psychosis. They will support the recruitment of participants and study visits as well as other trial-related activities as may be required. They may also be involved in the analysis of data, drafting of publications, and knowledge dissemination activities. Based on their background, if appropriate, they may be involved in the teaching and supervision of other researchers and students (e.g. undergraduate or postgraduate students).
The person will be based in the Department of Psychosis Studies, School of Academic Psychiatry, IoPPN at KCL and will work closely with Prof Sagnik Bhattacharyya (https://www.kcl.ac.uk/people/professor-sagnikbhattacharyya) and other investigators based at King's College London, in particular Dr Latha Velayudhan (https://www.kcl.ac.uk/people/dr-latha-velayudhan), based in the Psychological Medicine department at King's College London.
They will also interact with clinical fellows, research assistants, postdoctoral researchers and PhD students working in the group.
This will be appointed at either grade 5 (pre-doctoral) or grade 6 (post-doctoral) depending on the suitable candidate's career stage and level of experience.
You will be appointed a full-time, fixed term contract until the 31st August 2025.
About you:
To be successful in this role, we are looking for candidates to have the following skills and experience:
Grade 5:
Essential criteria
1. Undergraduate degree (2:1 or above) in Psychology or related field or an undergraduate degree in nursing.
2. Relevant clinical/research experience (e.g. Parkinson's or other neurodegenerative disorders, clinical trials) or an MSc in a relevant subject (e.g. neurodegenerative disorders, clinical trials, clinical neuroscience, psychiatric research, mental health studies).
3. Ability to work effectively with multidisciplinary and clinical teams in research and ability to deal sensitively with study participants and their families/carers. Self-motivated with ability to work independently and having good organisational and time management skills.
4. Excellent interpersonal skills to develop and maintain effective working relationships.
Desirable criteria
1. An understanding of data protection and patient confidentiality.
2. Knowledge of neuropsychiatric or neurodegenerative disorders.
3. Ability to prepare ethical, research and development applications and knowledge of research governance.
4. Publication record appropriate for career stage.
Grade 6:
Essential criteria
1. PhD in Psychiatry, Psychology or related field.
2. Relevant clinical/research experience (e.g. Parkinson's or other neurodegenerative disorders, clinical trials) or an MSc in a relevant subject (e.g. neurodegenerative disorders, clinical trials, clinical neuroscience, psychiatric research, mental health studies).
3. Ability to work effectively with multidisciplinary and clinical teams in research and ability to deal sensitively with study participants and their families/carers. Self-motivated with ability to work independently and having good organisational and time management skills.
4. Excellent interpersonal skills to develop and maintain effective working relationships.
Desirable criteria
1. An understanding of data protection and patient confidentiality.
2. Knowledge of neuropsychiatric or neurodegenerative disorders.
3. Ability to prepare ethical, research and development applications and knowledge of research governance.
4. Publication record appropriate for career stage.
Further information
We ask all candidates to submit a copy of their CV, and a supporting statement, detailing how they meet the essential criteria listed in the advert. If we receive a strong field of candidates, we may use the desirable criteria to choose our final shortlist, so please include your evidence against these where possible.
To find out how our managers review your application, please take a look at our 'How we Recruit' pages.
Interviews date/s TBC.
We are able to offer sponsorship for candidates who do not currently possess the right to work in the UK. Please note this is dependent on the salary offered which is based on your experience and will be discussed at the offer stage. #J-18808-Ljbffr