Overview
Clinical Research Associate – Strand, London, WC2R 2LS
About us:
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 Psychological Medicine, part of the School of Academic Psychiatry, focuses on the interface between psychiatry and medicine, psychiatry and occupation, psychiatry and the military, and psychiatry in different settings. We embrace research, education and clinical translation to further understand and improve mental health and treat disorders of the brain, and train the next generation of researchers and practitioners, as well as informing the wider community. As a world leading research centre, we provide an environment that offers:
- Research and clinical expertise
- Support for students in their career aspirations and goals
- A collegiality and network of researchers
This role will also involve working closely with Prof. Sagnik Bhattacharyya based in the Department of Psychosis Studies. Part of the School of Academic Psychiatry, they are one of the world’s leading centres for research into psychotic disorders.
About the role:
This is a part time post (40% FTE; 16 hours per week), and you will be offered a 18 month fixed term contract.
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 biological bases of neuro-psychiatric and dementia/ neurodegenerative disorders and the mechanism of action of treatments. As part of this role, the appointed person will be directly involved in a multi-centre Alzheimer’s Research UK funded randomised clinical trial to evaluate a new pharmacological treatment for people with Psychosis in Lewy Body Dementia which includes Dementia of Lewy body type and Parkinson’s disease dementia.
The position is ideally suited for specialty trainees (either from Psychiatry/ Neurology /Geriatric Medicine) interested in the overlap between old age psychiatry, neurology and neuropsychiatry and interested in developing experience and skills in Lewy body dementia and clinical trials, in addition to gaining valuable experience in neuropsychopharmacology.
The successful applicant will play a key role in the assessment and monitoring of patients with Lewy body dementia 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 (e.g., Old Age Psychiatry and Liaison Psychiatry services at the South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust and Parkinson’s clinics at King’s College Hospital ).
The person will be based in the Department of Psychological Medicine, School of Academic Psychiatry, IoPPN at KCL and will work closely with Dr Latha Velayudhan(https://www.kcl.ac.uk/people/dr-latha-velayudhan) and other investigators based at King’s College London, in particular Prof Sagnik Bhattacharyya(https://www.kcl.ac.uk/people/professor-sagnikbhattacharyya), based in the department of Psychosis Studies at King’s College London. They will also interact with clinical fellows, research assistants, postdoctoral researchers and PhD students working in the group.
The position is ideally suited for specialty trainees (either from Neurology/Psychiatry/Geriatric Medicine) interested in the overlap between neurology and neuropsychiatry and interested in developing experience and skills in dementia/neurodegenerative disorders and clinical trials, in addition to gaining valuable experience in neuropsychopharmacology.
This is a part-time (16hrs), 18-month fixed term post, with an ideal start date 1st March 2027 and potential for extension. The successful candidate will be encouraged to apply for clinical research training fellowships to support an MD/PhD.
About you:
To be successful in this role, we are looking for candidates to have the following skills and experience:
Essential criteria
- Full GMC registration with valid license to practice
- Medical Degree with a broad range of medical knowledge
- Knowledge of neuropsychiatric or neurodegenerative disorders
- Skills and experience recruiting clinical participants for research
- Experience of multidisciplinary working
- Self-motivated with the ability to work independently and have good organizational, problem-solving, and time management skills
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills to develop and maintain effective working relationships
- Prepared to travel around London
Desirable criteria
- An understanding of data protection and patient confidentiality
- Postgraduate experience in psychiatry/neurology/geriatric medicine/ dementia care
- Knowledge &/ or Experience of working in clinical trials
- Publication in peer reviewed scientific/medical journals
Downloading a copy of our Job Description
Full details of the role and the skills, knowledge and experience required can be found in the Job Description document, provided at the bottom of the page. This document will provide information of what criteria will be assessed at each stage of the recruitment process.
IMPORTANT: Before applying for this role, please make sure you have the right to work in the country where the role is based. Unless it clearly stipulates within in the job advert above that the hiring company is looking to or able to sponsor applicants it is deemed that the hiring employer will only consider applications from those able to comply with and work in the country where the role is based.
