Job description

The post holder will facilitate outstanding clinical neuroimaging research in psychosis and schizophrenia populations as part of the “Psychosis MRI Shared Database (Psy-ShareD) funded by the UK Medical Research Council

The aim of this project is to combine high quality, valuable, underutilised pre-existing ‘legacy’ MRI T1 datasets, with linked clinical and cognitive data into one free-to-access resource.

The post holder will be under the guidance of Prof Paul Allen and part of a broad team of experts in brain imaging, cognition, data modelling and psychiatric disorders (both at and outside KCL).  The team is working in collaboration with a number of UK and international sites that will each provide MRI, and linked clinical and cognitive data to the Psy-ShareD database.  Subsequently, the post holder will be adept in the data skills, be able to manage complex multidimensional datasets, have excellent communication skills, and be able to work within strict deadlines.   The post holder will also work with the site PIs to facilitate ethics and data sharing/transfer.

This post will be offered on a fixed term contract until 03-Apr-2025

This is a 50% full time equivalent post

Key responsibilities

The post holder will:

• Work with the Psy-ShareD team and collaborators to assist with ethics approvals and data transfer via BitBox.
• Support software and script development of novel tools that aid data anonymisation and transfer.
• Assist in data harmonisation and curate datasets including MRI T1, clinical, and cognitive data.
• Assist in setting up up the Psy-ShareD database using KCL FigShare or a similar host system.
• Work as a conscientious and committed member within a broad team of KCL experts, KCL admin support and industry collaborators.
• Regularly present updates and research findings to academic colleagues and the broader project team.
• Work in an efficient manner to ensure progress accords with the project timelines and milestones.
• Liaise with the administrative team to support the project.
• Contribute to publications arising from this project.
• Be committed to personal career development.
• The post holder will also assist project promotion activities (lead by University of Surrey) 

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

The post-holder must have a first degree in a relevant field, e.g. Psychology, Neuro/Biological Sciences. Candidates with prior knowledge of neuroimaging research and data analysis, data management, and web-design are particularly welcomed.

Essential criteria

1. Practical experience of data management and ethics processes
2. Ability to work enthusiastically
3. Ability to understand and implement practical solutions
4. Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in written form
5. Ability to work in a team and to work independently
6. Ability to multi-task and prioritise workload
7. Willingness and capacity to learn new skills
8. Ability to take initiative to solve problems

Desirable criteria

1. Experience in establishing web databases
2. Experience in data harmonisation
3. Knowledge of psychiatric disorders and cognitive dysfunction

Further information

This is a short-term post and the ideal candidates will be available to start as soon as possible.

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