Job description  

We are looking for an enthusiastic and motivated post-doctoral Research Associate  to work on a new project within our research programme – RE-STAR (Regulating Emotions – Strengthening Adolescent Resilience). Based at King’s College London, RE-STAR is a multi-disciplinary and cross institution programme of research bringing together developmental psychology, data science, psychiatry and neuroscience with educational studies and the performing arts. Its goal is to better understand the role of exposure to upsetting experiences in the development of mental health problems in neurodivergent adolescents such as those with ADHD and/or autism traits; and then to translate the knowledge gained into new school-based interventions tailored to the needs of these young people.

The post-holder will work on the third RE-STAR work package as part of a team with the RE-STAR Programme Manager and a pre-doctoral Research Assistant. The team’s goal will be to understand why some adolescents develop depression while others do not. Individual responsibilities will involve some or all of the following: (i) collecting data from young people and their parents (ii) data management (iii) analysing outputs and presenting findings (iv) working collaboratively with our Youth Researcher Panel.

RE-STAR will be delivered in collaboration with partners at universities and stakeholder organisations as well as artists, teachers and doctors. Young people with neuroatypicalities will be actively involved in RE-STAR from start to finish. As such, the successful applicant must be willing to work effectively in a collaborative environment.

The post-holder will be employed by the Department of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, King’s College London and will report to the RE-STAR Project Manager.

This post will be offered on  a fixed-term contract with an end date of 31/08/2025

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

Key responsibilities

• Support the Programme Manager and Investigators in the delivery of RE-STAR work package 3. 
• Work closely with the research team to collect longitudinal data to explore the interplay between autism and ADHD traits, emotion regulation, and the onset depression in adolescence.
• Work with the Youth Researcher Panel
• Work with the research assistant to ensure timely recruitment of participants to targets.
• Collect data from participants through e.g., online questionnaires, app usage data, psychometrics.
• Present at team meetings and provide regular updates to the Co-Investigators and Programme Committees.
• Ensure data confidentiality, work within the requirements of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), the Data Protection Act 2018 and other regulatory bodies.
• Undertake any training courses necessary to assist in delivery of the work package objectives.
• Assist in writing up findings for funder reports and publication.

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. PhD* in psychology, health data science, health-related or other relevant subject – or equivalent experience.
2. An understanding of the challenges facing autistic adolescents those with ADHD.
3. Evidence of successful data collection and delivering large-scale projects on time and to target.
4. Rigour and accuracy in managing and analysing data.
5. Excellent research-related computing skills: word processing, Endnote, statistical software (Stata, R).
6. Strong statistical modelling skills, with expertise in structural equation modelling.
7. Writing or co-writing academic papers for peer-reviewed journals.
8. Ability to deal with sensitive issues and maintain confidentiality.
9. Ability to liaise with other partners (schools, NHS clinics) in a professional manner.
10. Flexible approach to working hours.

Desirable criteria

1. Experience of conducting longitudinal research.
2. Experience of working with young people with neuroatypicalities.
3. Experience of using Mplus for statistical modelling.

Please note that this is a PhD level role but candidates who have submitted their thesis and are awaiting award of their PhDs will be considered. In these circumstances the appointment will be made at Grade 5, spine point 30 with the title of Research Assistant. Upon confirmation of the award of the PhD, the job title will become Research Associate and the salary will increase to Grade 6.

Further information

Interviews will be held on 11th July 2023 (online between 2 and 4pm)