This is an exciting new position where the successful candidate will play a key role in a new line of research investigating the safety, efficacy and mechanism of action of a novel cannabinoid-based pharmacological treatment for Parkinson’s disease psychosis (https://www.itv.com/thismorning/health). A key component of this program of work will involve the application of cutting-edge neuroimaging techniques (such as fMRI) to investigate the neural substrates underpinning psychosis in Parkinson’s disease and examine the effect of treatment on these neural substrates. The appointed person will be directly involved in a multi-centre Parkinson’s UK funded randomised clinical trial to evaluate this new pharmacological treatment for people with Parkinson’s disease and Psychosis. S/he will work closely with the Lead PI for this study, Prof Sagnik Bhattacharyya and other investigators based at King’s College London, in particular Prof K Ray Chaudhuri, Professor of Movement Disorders and Neuroscience, and Clinical Director of the Parkinson’s Foundation International Centre of Excellence at Kings College Hospital.

This post is currently funded for 34 months with an anticipated start from February 2020. However, this may be negotiated with the candidate. The successful candidate will also be encouraged to develop his/her own research interests and may have the opportunity to register with the King’s College London for an MD (Res)/PhD. The position is ideally suited for specialty trainees (either from Neurology/ Psychiatry/ Geriatric Medicine) interested in the overlap between neurology and neuropsychiatry, and interested in developing experience and skills in Parkinson’s disease and clinical trials, in addition to gaining valuable experience in neuroimaging and neuropsychopharmacology.

The successful applicant will contribute to the collection and recording of clinical trial and neuroimaging data and play a key role in the assessment and monitoring of subjects. S/he will work closely with the other research and clinical staff working on the project and foster effective working relationships with the local services for Parkinson’s disease (e.g., Parkinson’s clinics at King’s College Hospital) as well as Liaison and Geriatric Psychiatry at the South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust to identify potential participants. The appointed person will work as part of a larger group of researchers for this multi-site clinical trial.

Candidates should be highly motivated individuals with excellent communication skills, the ability to work independently as well as part of a team, and capacity to apply sound clinical knowledge and judgement.

Fluency in English, both oral and written, is essential.

We aim to conduct interviews during the week starting 6th January 2020, but this may change subject to availability of the panel. Interested applicants are advised to get in touch with Prof Bhattacharyya (sagnik.2.bhattacharyya@kcl.ac.uk) or Dr Velayudhan (latha.velayudhan@kcl.ac.uk) for a discussion about the role.

This post will be offered on a fixed-term contract until 31^st December 2022.

The selection process will include a panel interview with or without a presentation.

To apply, please register with the King’s College London application portal and complete your application online.