King's College London

About us

The Department of Psychosis Studies is one of the largest departments within the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, and one of the world’s largest groups conducting research on psychosis. Our staff are recognised globally as innovators of high-quality translational research and have produced over 1300 scientific publications in the last five years, holding approximately £25 million in research grant income. The Institute has received the highest possible ranking (5*) in recent U.K. Research Assessment Exercises. 

About the role

We are looking for a research assistant to support the implementation of two innovative studies of new treatments for psychosis and the causes of schizophrenia and affective disorders (bipolar and depression):

1. Early Psychosis Multi-arm Multi-stage Platform Trial (PUMA), which aims to identify treatments to be trialled in first episode psychosis

2. The Role Of Glutamatergic Function In The Pathophysiology Of Treatment Resistant Schizophrenia And The Potential Of Novel Treatment Targeting It (RESTORE), which tests glutamatergic approaches to treat treatment resistant schizophrenia.

The post holder will be responsible for organising the treatment selection working group for PUMA, including organising and documenting meetings, undertaking literature reviews, supporting treatment selection, and helping develop treatment summaries. You will also coordinate recruitment of subjects to research studies and manage clinical governance of studies. There will be opportunities to help acquire clinical and other data in subjects taking part in studies for a suitable candidate. 

This post will be offered on a full-time, fixed term contract until 30th September 2026.

About you

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

Essential criteria 

1. A relevant undergraduate degree (e.g. psychology, neuroscience, pharmacology, biomedicine, mathematics, statistics) with at least a 2:1 or equivalent
2. Excellent organisational and time management skills and attention to detail
3. Strong academic trajectory as evidenced by performance in A-levels, undergraduate degree, prizes or other relevant indicators
4. Ability to work independently and to deadlines
5. Ability to work in a team
6. Knowledge and experience of using database and other relevant software (eg statistical software)
7. Excellent written and oral communication skills

Desirable criteria

1. Experience of research in relevant area (eg neuroimaging, studies in patients with psychosis)
2. Relevant postgraduate qualification awarded or pending with a distinction or equivalent
3. Experience of working with patients with mental illness (particularly psychosis)
4.  Knowledge of drug treatments in psychiatry, particularly in psychosis
5. Publications and/or conference abstracts in relevant area (such as psychiatry/ psychopharmacology)

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 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.

Interviews are likely to be held in late September/early October.

We are able to offer sponsorship for candidates who do not currently possess the right to work in the UK. Please note this is dependent on the salary offered which is based on your experience and will be discussed at the offer stage.

This post is subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service clearance.