Job description 

This is an exciting new position where the successful candidate will have the opportunity to work as part of an internationally leading team of researchers investigating cannabinoid-based treatments for neurodegenerative and psychiatric disorders and 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. As part of this role, 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. While the person will be based in the Academic Psychiatry Division of IoPPN at KCL for administrative purposes and will work closely with the Lead PI for this study, Prof Sagnik Bhattacharyya (  https://www.kcl.ac.uk/people/professor-sagnikbhattacharyya) they will also work with other investigators based at King’s College London, in particular Prof K Ray Chaudhuri ( http://parkinsons-london.co.uk/centre-of-excellence-in-parkinsons-and-movement-disorders/research-team/ray-chaudhuri/), and with investigators based in the Old Age Psychiatry department at King’s College London.   

This post is currently funded for 18 months with potential for 6 months extension and an anticipated start from July 2022. However, the start date is flexible and may be negotiated with the right candidate, especially if the selected candidate needs additional time to obtain necessary approvals.  

The successful applicant will play a key role in the assessment and monitoring of patients with Parkinson’s disease taking part in the study and along with a team of researchers will contribute to the collection and recording of clinical trial and neuroimaging data. 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. 

The post holder will be a clinician (Psychiatrist or Neurologist or Geriatrician) with some clinical experience but may not have finished their specialist clinical training. Those with experience and/or interest in Parkinson’s disease and/or other neurodegenerative disorders are particularly welcome. It would also suit a medical doctor with previous experience of research who may want to spend a period of time in research before getting into clinical training. In general, it would suit a clinician with an interest in psychopharmacology, neuroimaging and psychosis.  

This post will be offered on an a fixed-term contract for 18 months 

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

Key responsibilities

• The successful applicant will contribute to the successful conduct and completion of the research project. They will be part of an existing team comprising of other clinicians and researchers.  

• Contribute to the clinical assessment of participants and prescribing of study medications. 

• Monitor and ensure the collection of all data (including clinical and neuroimaging data). 

• Ensure adherence to study protocol and regulatory requirements. 

• Monitor and ensure data quality and integrity. 

• Participate in regular study participant tracking meetings, and quarterly steering group meetings as necessary. 

• Ensure an effective collaborative relationship with other research workers on the project, as well as with local clinical services and researchers on other related projects. 

• Contribute to manuscripts, and to the analysis of data and the dissemination findings. 

• Develop their own research interests. 

• Other relevant activities as directed by Prof Sagnik Bhattacharyya 

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 (medical doctor) with valid license to practice. 

2. Medical Degree 

3. Clinical research methods 

4. A broad range of medical knowledge 

5. Interdisciplinary working 

6. Self-motivating 

7. Good IT skills 

8. Problem solving abilities 

9. Prepared to travel around London 

10. Skills and experience recruiting clinical participants for research 

11. Working at all times according to Good Clinical Practice, Research Governance and Trust guidelines 

12. To ensure that any data collection is conducted according to the specific research protocol and adheres to the Data Protection legal framework 

Desirable criteria

1. Postgraduate experience in psychiatry/neurology/dementia care 

2. Neuropsychiatric assessment 

3. Basic statistical analysis and study design 

4. Publication in peer reviewed scientific/medical journals 

5. Successful research grant applications 

Further information

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

Psychiatrist; clinical trial; Neurologist