Job description

This role

This is an outstanding development opportunity for a talented individual who wishes to advance excellent and innovative research and education, in relation to health communication. Health communication adopts a multi-disciplinary perspective to understand mechanisms and processes through which effective and person-centred communication with patients contributes to positive health outcomes. It is one of several new posts within the Florence Nightingale Faculty of Nursing, Midwifery & Palliative Care.

We particularly seek applicants with experience and expertise of one or more of the following: the development of evidence-based communication training interventions that have demonstrated potential to improve healthcare; research to better understand the adaptations in health communication nurses and other health care practitioners need to make for underserved groups; and one or more of health literacy, public health messaging, practitioner-patient communication and the circulation of information within and between teams and systems.

From an education perspective, the postholder will be expected to develop further our delivery of health communication teaching as a key Faculty strength for our students.  Students at all levels will benefit from an understanding of theories of communication in healthcare, the role of health literacy in health and wellbeing, and strategies for inter-professional communication. We view skills in inter-professional communication as a cornerstone of developing leadership capabilities within the nursing and midwifery workforces.

We recognise that expertise in health communication is found among academics from a range of backgrounds - health sciences, psychology, social science and linguistics – and welcome applications from these and other relevant fields.

Why choose us

King’s College London is a leading University with nine Faculties. As part of King’s Health Partners, we have an excellent environment for health care interaction and a strong focus on mentoring and career development.

The 2021 Research Excellence Framework (REF2021) placed King’s applied and allied health research 1st for: overall proportion of research rated 4* (world-leading, the best mark possible), research papers rated 4*, impact rated 4*, environment rated 4*(joint), Grade Point Average and Power.  REF2021 rated as world-leading: 100% of our environment, 86% of our impact and 70% of our research overall. Over 95% of our research overall was rated as world-leading or internationally excellent.

For the last three years, King’s has been number 2 in the world and number 1 in Europe for Nursing (QS world rankings). King’s produces more highly cited research outputs (top 1% citations) on palliative care than any other centre internationally (SciVal).

The Florence Nightingale Faculty of Nursing, Midwifery & Palliative Care (NMPC) is based in the heart of central and south London. It includes the Cicely Saunders Institute for Palliative Care, Policy and Rehabilitation, the premier Institute for Palliative Care, bringing together clinical, research and education teams.

Our award-winning NMPC education programmes span pre-registration nursing and midwifery, and multidisciplinary post-graduate taught and research programmes. King’s is the largest provider of health care education in Europe. Our applied clinical and health research transforms therapies, the healthcare experience and outcomes for patients and those important to them, wherever they are cared for.

You should apply if

We are seeking an enthusiastic and dedicated individual who can make a distinctive contribution, bridge theory and practice, and drive forward collaborative sustainable high quality and impactful research. You should have excellent teaching and communication skills, able to inspire and inform students, and, if on an Education & Research contract, a demonstratable ability to deliver high quality impactful sustainable research.

Owing to the agility of our Faculty and King’s we are able to consider applicants who are interested in either a Research and Teaching pathway (teaching and research) or Academic Education Pathway (predominantly teaching with scholarship).

We are committed to continually improving the diversity of our workforce, and therefore we encourage applications from all groups. This includes from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic groups, the LGBTQI+ community, those who are neurodiverse and those with a disability.

This post will be offered on an indefinite contract pending successful completion of probation (3 years) The post-holder is required to actively participate in academic performance development review (PDR) annually.

This is a full-time post - 100% full time equivalent. However, we offer flexibility for part-time working.

Key responsibilities

• Play an active role in NMPC and King’s undergraduate and postgraduate teaching and training, focussed on the programmes, especially educational content outlined above and below. This will include module and programme leadership, developing and delivering high quality innovative and inclusive education and education and relevant materials, including incorporating King’s and Faculty research, pastoral support, supervision, and assessment and generating excellent student success and feedback
• Have a clear forward plan for sustaining and enhancing NMPC education, PhD supervision, and research consistent with our strategy, including to increase research / evidence informed education, multi- and interdisciplinary endeavours, digital offerings and improved student success and experience
• Contribute to and develop a sustainable, high quality applied health care research programme in areas core to one or more of the Faculty’s research Divisions or Institute and relevant to the educational focus of this post. You will work with relevant health care, charity and industry/ commercial research partners

Main other responsibilities

• Deliver outstanding, inclusive education for relevant programmes based on best evidence, health policy and research
• Actively participate in, and where appropriate plan and lead relevant modules and teaching programmes at King’s, with a strong focus on excellent student experience, seeking opportunities for efficiencies with other modules and programmes
• Communicate and work in partnerships with students, patients, families, the public, policy makers and clinical colleagues and in research and teaching, and its relevance to care and policy.
• Work in collaboration and partnership with key stakeholders, institutions, and organisations
• Actively participate in marking, course and programme development, assessment, module leadership, personal tutoring, project supervision as appropriate
• Proactively communicate and collaborate with research and teaching staff within the Faculty, across the University, and where appropriate lead collaborative developments
• Actively engage in Patient and Public Involvement and imbed Patient and Public Involvement into all research projects and teaching endeavours
• Engage with the media, press, publicity, policy makers, practitioners, and others to deliver impact of the research and teaching to the benefit of patients, families, and society.
• Play a broader role in the Faculty, contributing to the growth and development of our people and the wider organisation as appropriate to role.
• Actively participate in relevant audit and clinical governance activity, including audit of research and teaching activity, and team building activities
• Champion, model and uphold King’s values and principles, and maintain highest standards of adherence to data protection, ethical and research governance principles and practices
• Have and maintain a research passport, honorary contract if required, Good Clinical Practice in research, and complete all mandatory training
• Undertake relevant professional development in negotiation with line manager and PDR discussions.

Research [60% time]

• Contribute to the academic work of the Faculty, working with colleagues and clinical teams, with the aim of obtaining significant research funding and conducting research at an international and world-leading standard according to King’s performance framework
• Collaborate on, assist with and increasingly lead externally funded peer-reviewed collaborative research projects, programmes and fellowships, including winning funding from NIHR, UKRI, industrial/commercial funding and prestigious charities as co-investigator or Principal investigator
• Form and grow external collaborations to enhance the quality of reach of our research programmes, linking with world leading academics and groups in related fields.
• Supervise, co-supervise and nurture clinical and non-clinical researchers (including PhD students and fellowships) to build the field for the future.
• Publish research findings in high quality peer view journals, with 1 – 2 open access publications that are internationally excellent or world leading each year.

If Senior Lecturer (Education & Research contract) above plus

• Generate substantive external peer review grant income, sufficient to support research group with 1-3 research staff, and with >10% research time, steadily increasing, funded from external grants FEC
• Minimum of 3 research publications consistent with 3*-4* REF outputs over a rolling three-year period with unique role clearly identified in acknowledgements.

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. Track record of peer-review publication and presentations that demonstrate international excellence or are world-leading in terms of originality, rigour, and significance in areas relevant to Faculty research themes and this role. If Senior Lecturer should demonstrate leadership in publications/projects, with sustainable track record consistent with world-leading or internationally excellent REF outputs

2. Evidence of ability to secure research award funding, demonstrated by previous experience / track record, involvement in research active teams, responsibilities, plans, awareness of funding schemes relevant to Faculty research themes. If Senior Lecturer should demonstrate upward sustainable trajectory, being CI/PI on at least one substantial externally funded current award,  with clearly defined major role within a very large programme, and plans to win support for research group of 1-3 externally funded staff.

3. Experience of the planning and delivering high-quality evaluated education at undergraduate / postgraduate levels with a strong focus on a high-quality student experience and success. If Senior Lecturer, evidence of leadership in education & assessment initiatives.

4 . Evidence of commitment to continued development in evidence-based practice, research methods and evidence relevant to care, with up-to-date knowledge, skills and accomplishments, able to supervise MSc and undergraduate student projects and critically appraise a wide range of relevant research, including data presentation and basic analysis.
5. Ability to work well as an effective and inclusive member of teams and networks and to share and encourage good practice in teaching and research and to inspire and motivate others, including in challenging environments. If Senior Lecturer, evidence of successful team or staff development 6. Excellent written, verbal and digital communication skills, in all formats, face to face, presentation, email, reports, written and for teaching. If Senior Lecturer, evidence of developing this in others 

7. Excellent administrative and organisational skills, underpinned by strong interpersonal skills and personal effectiveness, able to deliver high quality work and projects to deadlines, work efficiently and prioritise appropriately, and take individual responsibility for planning and undertaking work.   8. Demonstrates a commitment to promoting equality, diversity and inclusivity for staff, students, research participants and audiences
9.  PhD / equivalent relevant to themes of the Faculty and this role 

10. Evidence of continued development in research methods in health services / clinical research, with increasing expertise in specific areas relevant to the Faculty (e.g statistics, implementation science, co-design, trial designs, mixed methods study designs and patient and public involvement)

Desirable criteria

1. Experience of innovative and effective approaches to teaching, including distance learning, blended learning, digital learning, simulation (virtual / face to face), with appropriate training completed.

2. Experience of co-leading/leading research projects, education activities / clinical service.

3. Experience of and training in PhD supervision, as first / second supervisory and as part of supervisory progression panels. If Senior Lecturer track record of supervision of PhD/MD students, mostly as first supervisor in topics consistent with the Faculty’s research themes and strategy.

Further information

The selection process will include a presentation and a panel interview. Scheduling of presentations will be confirmed once shortlisting has taken place.

Please note that you must provide three Academic referees upon application, including one from your current / most recent employer. Should you be shortlisted, letters of recommendation will be sought ahead of the interview from two of your references. The third reference, from your employer, will only be requested with your consent.