About us

The IoPPN is one of the top places in the world for research in psychosis by citations and high impact publications, and SLaM is one of the largest mental health trusts in the UK.

The School of Academic Psychiatry is housed in the main IoPPN building on DeCrespigny Park, opened in 1967. The School is closely entwined with the National Health Service with each of the departments allied to its equivalent clinical academic group in the  South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust in order to facilitate translation of research into clinical care.

The School of Academic Psychiatry teaches scientists and clinical practitioners. Each department offers PhD studentships and run a variety of Masters courses and other training programmes. The School also hosts numerous conferences, events and public debates.

Uniquely the School has a special role in the postgraduate training of doctors to become qualified psychiatrists, in partnership with allied NHS Trusts, but also by contributing to the medical curriculum at King’s College London, equipping all doctors with some knowledge and skills relevant to mental health.

About the role

A vacancy has arisen for an academic consultant psychiatrist with expertise in psychotic disorders (schizophrenia, bipolar affective disorder and related disorders). The post is full-time (9am-5pm, Monday to Friday). The role involves 5 clinical sessions as a consultant psychiatrist at the Croydon Early Intervention Service, South London and Maudsley (SLaM) NHS Foundation Trust and 5 sessions delivering research and teaching within the School of Academic Psychiatry at the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience (IoPPN), King’s College London.

The role involves conducting cutting edge research in psychosis, delivering high quality clinical care to people with psychosis and providing excellent education around psychosis. You will be responsible for developing research ideas, obtaining funding to conduct studies and publishing high impact research publications, as well as providing teaching on psychosis to post-graduate and under-graduate courses, supervising student projects and contributing to departmental activities. As a consultant psychiatrist, you will provide excellent clinical care to patients with psychosis, actively participate in the multi- disciplinary team, supervise junior staff, act as the responsible clinician and undertake mental health act assessments, and participate in audit and service development.

We seek a successful candidate who is considerate, has strong interpersonal skills and who will champion an inclusive working environment.  We understand that flexible working arrangements or career breaks may be necessary in certain circumstances and welcome the opportunity to discuss this possibility.

This is a full time (40 Hours per week), and you will be offered an indefinite contract.

About you

To be successful in this role, we are looking for candidates to have the following skills and experience:

Essential criteria

1. Medical degree (MBBS or equivalent) and registered as a Specialist in Psychiatry on GMC Specialist Register with a valid licence to practice, or eligible for inclusion at this level
2. Research degree (PhD/ MD) or equivalent training and experience
3. Membership of the Royal College Of Psychiatrists or equivalent qualification (in accordance with RCPsych Guidelines) and Section 12(2) and approved clinician approval or eligible for this.
4. Knowledge of the use of evidence-based interventions for psychosis and experience of delivering a high quality clinical service for psychotic disorders, including knowledge of and skills in clinical risk assessment and management
5. Skills in fostering an inclusive environment that values a diversity in perspectives and approaches and commitment to developing user-focused services
6. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills and proven ability to work collaboratively in a multi-disciplinary team and provide leadership to a team
7. Research experience in relevant field as evidenced by publications in high quality journals, presentations at conferences, patents, obtaining research funding, and potential to become a leader in the field 
8. Experience in delivering teaching and/or training in psychiatry
9. Experience of conducting audit and/or quality improvement projects
10. Adaptable, able to travel within the community catchment and comply with Trust Occupational Health Guidelines

Desirable criteria

1. Previous experience in early intervention in psychosis, particularly in the community
2. Excellence in mentoring and developing junior staff and research students
3. Organisation of teaching or training courses
4. Ability to network across different teams and organisations

Downloading a copy of our Job Description

Full details of the role and the skills, knowledge and experience required can be found in the Job Description document, provided at the bottom of the next page after you click “Apply Now”. This document will provide information of what criteria will be assessed at each stage of the recruitment process.

Further information

We pride ourselves on being inclusive and welcoming. We embrace diversity and want everyone to feel that they belong and are connected to others in our community. We are committed to working with our staff and unions, to continue to support our people and to develop a diverse and inclusive culture at King's. As part of this commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion and through this appointment process, it is our aim to develop candidate pools that include applicants from all backgrounds and communities.

We ask all candidates to submit a copy of their CV, and a supporting statement, detailing how they meet the essential criteria listed in the advert. If we receive a strong field of candidates, we may use the desirable criteria to choose our final shortlist, so please include your evidence against these where possible.

To find out how our managers will review your application, please take a look at our ‘ How we Recruit’ pages.

Interviews are due to be held in May 2025.

We are able to offer sponsorship for candidates who do not currently possess the right to work in the UK.

This post is subject tp Disclosure and Barring Service and Occupational Health Clearance. 

Grade and Salary: £105,504, plus £2,162 London Weighting Allowance per annum
Job ID: 112446
Close Date: 30-Apr-2025
Contact Person: Professor Oliver Howes / Consultant Psychiatrist and Associate Medical Director, Dr Serena Lai
Contact Details: oliver.howes@kcl.ac.uk / Serena.Lai@slam.nhs.uk