Job description
This is an exciting opportunity to undertake research as part of an EPSRC/AsthmaUK funded proof of concept study investigating a new lung function assessment tool in patients with asthma.  The Clinical 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. The post holder will be responsible for day to day running of the project, recruitment of healthy controls 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.  There may also be the opportunity to register for an MD(Res) at King’s College London (fees apply).  
 
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, clinical examination, where appropriate, pulmonary function testing, Mannitol challenge testing and research record keeping. 
• To take responsibility for specific study-related medical 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 College’s 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 ICH 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 Registration 
2.       UK recognised medical degree 
3.       ALS (or equivalent) certified 
4.       Ability to manage acute respiratory emergencies 
5.       Good knowledge of respiratory physiology and pathophysiology 
6.       Good communication skills 
7.       Evidence of understanding of and adherence to the principles of Good Medical Practice set out by the General Medical Council 
8.       Ability to work effectively with colleagues, patients, relatives, GPs, and other agencies 
9.       Good organisational and time management skills 
10.   Enthusiasm and ability to work under pressure 
 
Desirable criteria 
 
1.       Intercalated degree (e.g. BSc)/other qualifications 
2.       Presentation of research at national/international meetings 
3.       Personal commitment to respiratory research 
 
  This post is subject to Disclosure and Barring Service and Occupational Health clearance.