Job Description

Job id: 074629. Salary: \xc2\xa342,405 - \xc2\xa349,785 per annum, including London Weighting Allowance.

Posted: 13 September 2023. Closing date: 01 October 2023.

Business unit: IoPPN. Department: Psychosis Studies.

Contact details: Esme Young. esme.young@kcl.ac.uk

Location: Denmark Hill Campus. Category: Research.

Job description

The Psychiatric Imaging Group focuses on the neurobiology of major mental illnesses and drug effects. The Group conducts translational research in patients, experimental medicine studies in healthy controls and studies in preclinical models.

The post-holder will assist with on-going projects as well as developing new projects as directed by the group head. The post-holder will focus on the analysis of neuroimaging data in patients with psychosis and healthy controls. Studies include the role of synapses and mitochondria in psychosis, prediction of treatment response, and the development of new treatment approaches.

The post-holder will take a lead in some studies and help develop new ones. The group works across several sites. The post may require some time to be spent at the Hammersmith Hospital Campus and other sites for specific projects.

The post-holder will also be expected to take an active part in the academic and governance activities of the group, including contributing to and leading journal club and seminar series, and regulatory compliance. Where appropriate they will present data at national and international meetings.

This post provides an excellent opportunity to develop and extend research skills, for someone with an interest in translational research into the neurobiology of schizophrenia and related psychoses.

This post will be offered on a full-time, fixed term contract for 2 years.

Key responsibilities

The post-holder will also be expected to take an active part in the academic activities of the group, including contributing to journal club and seminar presentations, and where appropriate to present data at national and international meetings.

This post provides an excellent opportunity to develop and extend research skills, for someone with an interest in translational research into the neurobiology of schizophrenia and related psychoses.

This will involve:

• Taking the lead in running specific projects, acquiring and analysing data and disseminating findings
• Supporting and supervising researchers and students within the group to design protocols, and analyse data
• Providing scientific input into the analysis, interpretation and dissemination of research results
• Responsibility for organising group meetings and other administrative tasks and ensuring research governance as required
• Working with the Group Head and other researchers to develop new studies and funding proposals and make funding applications
• Participation in the academic programme and other activities of the Group and institute as directed by the Group Head
• Working closely with the Group Head, the post-holder will ensure the successful conduct of the Group\'s research programme. He/she will have an important scientific role within the Group with responsibility for specific studies and coordinating across studies. They will collect and analyse data.

The successful candidate will also work closely with other research staff in the project and foster effective collaborative working relationships with collaborators. They will be responsible for developing .

The above list of responsibilities may not be exhaustive, and the post holder will be required to undertake such tasks and responsibilities as may reasonably be expected within the scope and grading of the post.

Skills, knowledge, and experience

Essential criteria

1. Relevant postgraduate qualification awarded or pending (PhD/ MD or similar)* in a relevant field (e.g. engineering, biomedical science, neuroscience, pharmacology, psychology)

2. Research experience in neuroscience/mental health

3. Experience of neuroimaging data analysis, particularly fMRI and/or PET, using relevant software packages (eg SPM, FSL)

4. Excellent organisational and time management skills

5. Experience or potential to develop research ideas and design studies

6. Ambitious, enthusiastic, responsible, flexible with interest in psychosis research

7. Ability to work in a team

Desirable criteria

1. Computing and programming skills (e.g. Matlab)

2. Proven track-record of high impact publications, particularly in psychosis or related areas

3. Experience of supervising researchers and students

4. Experience of organising meetings

5. Understanding of regulatory compliance

6. Ability to develop new ideas and potential to secure research funding

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. Should the successful candidate be awaiting the award of their PhD, the appointment will be made at Grade 5, spinal point 30 with the title of Research Assistant until confirmation of the award of the PhD has been received. Upon confirmation of the award of the PhD, the job title will become Research Associate and the salary will increase to Grade 6, spine point 31.

Further information

The post would be ideal for a post-doc with an interest in cutting edge neuroimaging and psychopharmacology.

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

King\'s College London