Clinical Research Associate - FOCUS - Function and Cognition in Early Psychosis

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

The post holder will play a leading role in a Wellcome funded clinical trial "FOCUS: Function and Cognition in Early Psychosis", led by Dr Rob McCutcheon. Cognitive deficits are a core feature of the early phases of psychosis. All licensed pharmacological treatments for psychosis act by blocking dopaminergic neurotransmission and do not improve these deficits. Recently the drug xanomeline-trospium which acts via non-dopaminergic mechanisms has been shown to be the first effective non-dopaminergic treatment for psychotic symptoms. Its effects on cognition, however, are unclear. The FOCUS trial will investigate the effects of xanomeline-trospium compared to standard dopamine blocking therapies on cognitive function in individuals with early psychosis. In addition, the integration of comprehensive neuroimaging batteries will provide the opportunity for insights regarding both the pathophysiology of psychosis, and mechanisms of treatment.

In addition to being central to the success of the FOCUS clinical trial, the post holder will have the opportunity to develop their own research with a focus on cognitive function and treatments for psychosis. Depending on their interests and abilities, the post holder will have the opportunity to undertake analyses of neuroimaging measures and cognitive outcomes, the development of clinical services, the conducting of meta-analyses, and the analysis of pre-acquired clinical trial data. The post would suit a candidate interested in going on to further research (PhD/DM).

The responsibilities of the role include contributing to the successful completion of the FOCUS clinical trial and recruiting individuals with psychotic disorders as well as healthy controls for research studies. The role involves performing clinical and cognitive assessments, assisting with the acquisition of MRI data, and undertaking analyses of both neuroimaging and clinical data. Additionally, there is a focus on assisting with the development and operation of a clinical service aimed at individuals with psychosis-related cognitive impairments. The position also requires supervision and monitoring of recruitment across various sites, with the development of strategies to enhance recruitment rates as necessary. The individual will be responsible for training new team members on the study protocol and required assessments, while also managing their own academic research and administrative activities. Contributions to the generation of ideas for new research projects, collaboration in the preparation of research publications, and presenting papers at conferences or public meetings are also expected. Lastly, the role includes supervising students and research assistants to support the overall success of the research projects.

This is a full-time post (40 hours per week), and you will be offered a fixed term contract until 31 July 2026.

About You

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

Essential criteria

1. Hold a medical degree with full GMC license to practice
2. Have experience working with individuals with psychotic disorders
3. Ability to use initiative to plan and organise complex activities and programmes and manage own academic research and associated activities
4. Ability to contribute ideas for new research projects and research income generation
5. Excellent communication skills, including the ability to form rapport with difficult to engage individuals, write for publication, present research proposals and results, and represent the research group at meetings
6. Willingness to travel to other sites when required

Desirable criteria

1. Experience recruiting individuals with psychotic disorders to research studies
2. Experience in neuroimaging
3. Experience in clinical trials or experimental medicine studies
4. Knowledge of research governance procedures (e.g. obtaining ethical approvals)
5. Experience with programming in python, matlab, and R

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.

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.