Job description 

This is an exciting opportunity to gain research experience as part of an EPSRC/AsthmaUK funded proof of concept study investigating a new lung function assessment tool in patients with asthma.  The post is suitable for a Specialist Registrar, Band 6/Band 7 Clinical Respiratory Physiologist, Nurse or Physiotherapist (Maximum salary £50,218 per annum, including London Weighting Allowance. Annual NHS salary increment is not applicable) with significant experience of working with adults with chronic respiratory disease.  Research Fellow will work on a detailed, observational, clinical physiological study in a large cohort of healthy subjects and asthmatic patients with a range of disease severity in which a novel analysis tool will be applied to generate a unique lung function metric. The successful candidate will join a multidisciplinary team of scientists, clinicians and mathematicians working on the project under the supervision of Dr Gerrard Rafferty and Dr Manasi Nandi. The work will be conducted in the Centre for Human and Applied Physiological Sciences laboratories in the Dept Respiratory Medicine at the Denmark Hill campus of King’s College London with the postholder working in close collaboration with clinical colleagues in the Respiratory Service at King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust. The post holder will be responsible for day to day running of the project, recruitment and consenting healthy individuals and patients with asthma, pulmonary function and airway challenge testing as well as accurate measurement of key respiratory physiology variables on which the assessment tool is based.  The post holder will receive comprehensive training in all aspects of respiratory physiology monitoring and advanced pulmonary function testing.  

This post will be offered on an a fixed-term contract for 24 months until 30th November 2023 

This is a full-time post - 100% full time equivalent

Key responsibilities

• Undertake research of high quality consistent with making an active research contribution in line with the aims of the project
• To perform respiratory physiology testing procedures including participant assessment/enrolment, informed consent, pulmonary function testing, Mannitol challenge testing and research record keeping.
• To take responsibility for specific study-related decisions within their expertise, and, where appropriate, in consultation with the Study Investigators
• To be responsible for participant recruitment, screening and retention by building and maintaining relationships with study participants, with the assistance of other team members. To facilitate successful enrolment and completion, the study may require commitment to working out of hours (time recognised in lieu)
• To be familiar with the specialised equipment and techniques associated with the project
• To comply with the King’s College London Health and Safety regulations and policies, good laboratory practice, GDPR and GCP. To work in accordance with our partner NHS Trust policies (King’s College Hospital & Guy’s & St Thomas’). To be aware of and work within the guidelines for biomedical research set out in the Declaration of Helsinki (1989)
• To work to Good Clinical Practice Guidelines.
• To take responsibility for personal professional development
• Carry out the research project with appropriate supervision to an agreed timeline
• Attend and, as appropriate, present research findings at internal meetings and external conferences.
• Contribute to publications arising from the research project.

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

Essential criteria

1. Full GMC, HPC, RCCP, NMC or AHCS Registration as per profession
2. BSc Clinical Physiology/Physiotherapy/Nursing or equivalent with a minimum of 4 years experience at Band 6 or above
3. For medically qualified applicants - UK recognised medical degree, ALS (or equivalent) certified, ability to manage acute respiratory emergencies, evidence of understanding of and adherence to the principles of Good Medical Practice set out by the General Medical Council
4. Good knowledge of respiratory physiology and pathophysiology
5. Good communication skills
6. Ability to work effectively with colleagues, patients, relatives, GPs, and other agencies
7. Good organisational and time management skills
8. Enthusiasm and ability to work under pressure

Desirable criteria

1. Previous experience in measurement of lung function
2. Previous project management and/or research experience
3. Presentation of research at national/international meetings
4. Basic statistical knowledge
5. Personal commitment to respiratory research

Further information

This post is subject to Disclosure and Barring Service and Occupational Health clearance.