Research Assistant In The Department Of Psychological Medicine

Job id: 082346. Salary: £37,332 - £42,099 per annum, including London Weighting Allowance.

Posted: 12 January 2024. Closing date: 04 February 2024.

Business unit: IoPPN. Department: Psychological Medicine.

Contact details: Calum Moulton. Calum.moulton@kcl.ac.uk

Location: Denmark Hill Campus. Category: Research.

Job description

Disorders of the gut-brain-axis are very common. There is increasing evidence that certain medications can help to restore the gut-brain-axis and improve both physical health and mental health.

The post holder will have a key role in supporting the MDIBD trial, which is investigating an antidepressant (mirtazapine) in 76 people with depression and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). This is the largest ever trial of an antidepressant in people with IBD. The post holder will support the recruitment to the study across several major London hospitals. They will lead follow-up visits for the study and manage the study database. The post holder will gain valuable experience conducting psychiatric interviews and working at the interface of physical health and mental health.

The post holder will have the opportunity to co-author publications; present at international conferences; and will gain clinical experience and research experience in both depression and gut disease.

The post holder will join the Centre for Affective Disorders at King’s College London, led by Professor Allan Young. The post holder will work with, and be supervised by Dr Calum Moulton, Consultant Psychiatrist and NIHR Advanced Fellow at the Centre for Affective Disorders.

The post holder will additionally work with research nurses at the Clinical Research Facility at King’s College Hospital and other members of the Centre for Affective Disorders at The Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience.

This post will be offered on a full-time, fixed-term contract for 24 months.

Key responsibilities

The overall efficient day-to-day management of the trial

Conducting follow-up visits on hospital sites and online, including collection of Psychological data and physical health data

Establishment of procedures to ensure adherence to trial protocols and administrative requirements

Ensuring the timely recruitment and retention of trial participants with subsequent efficient and effective data management

Monitoring trial progress to ensure compliance with, and adherence to, the project plan and to identify, evaluate and rectify problems

Management of trial budgets and maintenance of accounts

Act as the point of contact for external and internal agencies

Coordinate the preparation and publication of data, reports and information, ensuring that these meet legislative, contractual and ethical requirements

Understand the requirements of the various controlling bodies, agencies and frameworks, guiding the project in conforming to those requirements and co-ordinating any necessary audit processes

Liaison with the Trial Steering Committee with a particular view on compliance with Research Governance, Good Clinical Practice, Data Protection and Ethical Requirements

Work with the Chief Investigator to ensure that the trial is meeting its targets, is producing meaningful output and to predict and plan any changes that warrant requests to changes in protocol, funding or time

Ensure the inclusion of patient representatives at the appropriate levels and times

Planning and supporting the meetings and work of the various groups and bodies associated with the trial

Assurance that personal and confidential information is restricted to those entitled to know

Attend local and national meetings as appropriate and present to promote the study

To make full use of the training facilities that are on offer through King’s College London Staff Training & Development Unit - the College is committed to the training and development of its staff.

To ensure that any data collection is conducted according to the specific research protocol and adheres to the Data Protection legal framework

Working at all times according to Good Clinical Practice, Research Governance and Trust guidelines

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. First degree or masters in a relevant subject

2. Excellent project management skills and teamwork

3. Excellent communication and presentation skills/written English and report writing skills

4. Knowledge of ethics and research governance procedures

5. High level of organisational skills, problem solving and planning

6. Experience in clinical research

7. Experience of data analysis using statistical software

8. Ablility to provide strategic, tactical and operational management skills in the planning and execution of a project

9. Prepared to travel around London – the study will recruit from several major London hospitals

Desirable criteria

1. GCP training and Human Tissue Act and Informed Consent training

2. Experience of research interviewing or using psychological measures

3. Practical experience in collection and handling of human samples, in particular venipuncture

Further information

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