Job description

This is a 12-month full time post working on the evaluation of First Episode Rapid Early Intervention for Eating Disorders (FREED) as it is scaled up to eating disorder services across England. FREED is a service model and care package aimed at reducing barriers to early treatment and recovery for emerging adults (16–25-year-olds) with recent onset eating disorder (less than three years duration). The model was developed and piloted at the South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust and King’s College London. FREED significantly reduces the duration of an untreated eating disorder and improves clinical outcomes.  

FREED is currently being rolled out to a growing number of eating disorder services across England. The continued evaluation during this scaling is vital to the ongoing implementation, development and sustainment of the model. The post holder will work alongside a team of clinicians and researchers under the supervision of Prof Ulrike Schmidt to support this evaluation. Specifically, they will contribute towards data collection, analysis, and report writing, liaise with teams, and support other FREED-related administrative and research activities. This post will be based at the Section of Eating Disorders, Department of Psychological Medicine at the Denmark Hill campus (Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience).  

This post will be offered on a fixed-term contract for 12 months 

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

Key responsibilities

• Support the co-ordination and management of quarterly data collection from FREED Network sites (eating disorder services implementing FREED). This will involve regularly liaising with FREED sites and clinicians and providing information about the data collection processes and procedures. 
• Data cleaning, database maintenance, and feedback to sites regarding data quality 
• Data analysis and preparation of quarterly data summaries and reports 
• Liaising with other relevant stakeholders (e.g., Allied Health Science Networks) regarding FREED data collection and outcomes 
• Contribute towards the report writing and presentations    
• Attendance and participation in FREED-related meetings, training, and events 
• Contribute towards other FREED-related research and administrative activities (e.g., updating the FREED website and training platform) 
• Working at all times according to Good Clinical Practice, to ensure confidentiality, and Research Governance and Trust guidelines 

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. Minimum 2:1 degree in psychology  
2. An ability to work effectively with a wide range of colleagues 
3. Administrative skills essential for record keeping 
4. Understanding of data confidentiality 
5. Understanding of research methods 
6. Excellent computer and statistical skills 
7. Experience of using databases (Excel, SPSS) 
8. Relevant research experience, e.g., conducting quantitative and qualitative research 
9. Experience of writing reports/papers 
10. Experience of disseminating research via oral presentations 
11. Motivated and enthusiastic 
12. Good attention to detail and high standards of accuracy in all aspects of work 

Desirable criteria 

1. Familiarity with the relevant legislation and guidelines 
2. Publications in peer reviewed journals 
3. Ability to work independently and within a multidisciplinary team