Research Assistant - Strand, London, WC2R 2LS

Research Assistant - Strand, London, WC2R 2LS

THIS VACANCY IS OPEN TO INTERNAL APPLICANTS ONLY

About us:

The emphasis of our research is on what works in the prevention and treatment of substance misuse: the Addictions Department represents a network of clinicians, researchers and clinical teachers who have a shared commitment to excellence in prevention and treatment work, and to supporting and strengthening national and international endeavours in this field. Over the last 30 years, our staff have developed a body of research evidence that has informed the development of new treatment services for alcohol, smoking and drug problems in the UK. This work ranges from trials of new therapies and preventative treatments to studies seeking to understand the genetic and biological basis of addictive behaviour.

The Addictions Department is one of the most productive addictions research groups in Europe. We represent an important area of health-related study as the Addictions Clinical Academic Group (CAG) within Kings Health Partners, and form one of the core areas of the Academic Health Science Centre that brings together university partners Kings College London with the NHS from South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, Kings College Hospital, and Guys and St Thomas. RAND Europe rated our work on Substance Abuse Research as leading in the field. Substance Use Disorders is one of the main themes of the NIHR Maudsley BRC which is based at the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience (IoPPN).

About the role:

The post holder will play a key role in the delivery of the NIHR-funded MEDCO trial, a large multi-site randomised controlled trial designed to determine whether a prescription stimulant (lisdexamfetamine) and an atypical anti-depressant (mirtazapine) can achieve a greater number of cocaine-abstinent days compared with placebo in people with cocaine use disorder over a 24-week period. The post-holder will be a member of staff at the Addictions Dept (school of academic psychiatry, Institute of psychiatry, psychology & neuroscience, Kings College London) and also based at Lorraine Hewitt House (LHH, specialist NHS treatment provider for addictions operated by South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust). The post Holder will report to the head of department for addictions and support the trial chief investigator at LHH.

The role will involve working across all aspects of the research study as part of a multi-disciplinary team, including but not limited to screening and enrolling new participants, scheduling and conducting trial visits, collecting research data in line with study protocols, entry of research data into an online electronic case report form, maintaining accurate study records and liaising with the neuroimaging centre to organise MRI scans for participants. The post holder will work closely with the senior investigators and the central research team to ensure the trial is delivered in accordance with the approved protocol, regulatory requirements, and Good Clinical Practice, contributing to high-quality data collection and the smooth day-to-day running of the trial.

This is a full-time post (35 hours per week), and you will be offered an fixed term contract until 30th September 2029.

Research staff at Kings are entitled to at least 10 days per year (pro-rata) for professional development. This entitlement, from the Concordat to Support the Career Development of Researchers , applies to Postdocs, Research Assistants, Research and Teaching Technicians, Teaching Fellows and AEP equivalent up to and including grade 7. Visit the Centre for Research Staff Development for more information.

About you:

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

Essential criteria

1. BSc in a relevant discipline (e.g. psychology, psychiatry, neuroscience, social sciences).
2. Skills in conducting quantitative research with human participants, including structured or semi-structured interviews and/or questionnaires.
3. Experience of working/volunteering on clinical or applied health research studies, ideally within mental health, addiction, or related settings.
4. Understanding of the principles of Good Clinical Practice (GCP) and a willingness to complete GCP training prior to appointment.
5. Knowledge of how to handle sensitive or confidential information, with a clear understanding of data protection, confidentiality, and ethical research practice.
6. Proactive and motivated and can demonstrate strongorganisational skills with the ability to manage multiple tasks and work to deadlines.
7. Good communication skills, and ability to work in a multidisciplinary team.

Desirable criteria

1. Working towards or already awarded MSc in a relevant discipline (e.g. mental health, psychology, psychiatry, or related field).
2. Experience working with or an extensive understanding of people with substance use disorders.
3. Strong understanding of randomised controlled trial methodology.
4. Familiarity with electronic case record forms (e.g. Medrio, REDCap or similar research databases) and their role in clinical trial data collection.

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.