Research Associate in the Department of Psychosis Studies

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 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 biological bases of neuropsychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders and the mechanism of action of treatments. 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.

They will be expected to support ongoing studies. For example, mechanistic sub studies linked to clinical trials as well as observational studies and contribute to grant applications or protocols. This often involves neuroimaging or cognitive paradigms.

The successful candidate will will work closely with Prof Sagnik Bhattacharyya and other investigators based at King's College London, in particular Dr Latha Velayudhan They will also interact with clinical fellows, research assistants, postdoctoral researchers and PhD students working in the group.

This is a full-time, fixed term post, currently funded for 12 months with potential for extension and an anticipated start from August 2025. The successful candidate will be encouraged to apply for postdoctoral fellowships

About you

To be successful in this role, we are looking for candidates to have the following skills and experience:

Essential criteria

1. PhD in Psychiatry or a related field e.g. Neuroimaging, Genetics or another other field focusing on neuropsychiatric conditions
2. Experience in quantitative data analysis techniques with proficiency in Python, R, MATLAB or another relevant language.
3. Good communication skills, ability to critically appraise research findings and present at meetings and conference.
4. Self-motivated with ability to work independently and having good organisational and time management skills.
5. Strong publication record appropriate for career stage with first-author publications.
6. Excellent interpersonal skills to develop and maintain effective working relationships
7. Knowledge and interest in study design (research) and statistical analysis approaches

Desirable criteria

1. Experience in grant application development.
2. An understanding of data protection and patient confidentiality.
3. Knowledge of neuropsychiatric or neurodegenerative disorders.
4. Experience or interest in the analysis of neuroimaging datasets or genetic data Full details of the role and the skills and experience required, can be found in the attached job description which provided on the next page.
5. Experience or interest in clinical trials or pharmacological challenge studies

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. In these circumstances the appointment will be made at Grade 5, spine point 30 with the title of Research Assistant. Upon confirmation of the award of the PhD, the job title will become Research Associate and the salary will increase to Grade 6.

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 next page after you click "Apply Now". This document will provide information of what criteria will be assessed at each stage of the recruitment process.

Further information

We pride ourselves on being inclusive and welcoming. We embrace diversity and want everyone to feel that they belong and are connected to others in our community.

We are committed to working with our staff and unions on these and other issues, to continue to support our people and to develop a diverse and inclusive culture at King's.

As part of this commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion and through this appointment process, it is our aim to develop candidate pools that include applicants from all backgrounds and communities.

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 will review your application, please take a look at our 'How we Recruit' pages.

We are able to offer sponsorship for candidates who do not currently possess the right to work in the UK.

This post is subject to Disclosure and Barring Service and/or Occupational Health clearances.