Overview
Research Assistant – Strand, London, WC2R 2LS
About us:
The department of Neuroimaging at King’s College London (KCL) is an internationally renowned centre focused on advancing our understanding of the human brain and its function using cutting-edge imaging and digital assessment technologies. The department is dedicated to exploring the mechanisms of neurological and psychiatric disorders across the lifespan. It employs a multidisciplinary approach, combining expertise in imaging techniques, computational neuroscience, basic and clinical research.
About the role:
This is an exciting opportunity for a research associate to contribute to research investigating neurological resilience, after an inflammatory challenge, in individuals with familial risk of multiple sclerosis (MS). The post holder will be based in the Department of Neuroimaging at the at the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience (IoPPN), one of the most esteemed clinical research centres worldwide, working under the guidance of Prof Adam Hampshire (Centre for Neuroimaging Sciences, IoPPN).
The successful candidate will contribute to a programme of research using cognitive, neuroimaging and immune measures to investigate individual differences in response to transient inflammation. The role will involve supporting participant engagement and recruitment, coordinating research assessments, analysing existing cognitive and MRI datasets and contributing to the collection and analysis of longitudinal data before and after routine influenza vaccination/inflammatory challenge. The role will involve communicating study information and risk to participants and families. The post holder will work closely with researchers across the group and contribute to data management, statistical analysis, research presentations and preparation of publications.
This is a full-time post (35 hours per week), and you will be offered a 6 month fixed term contract.
Research staff at King’s are entitled to at least 10 days per year (pro-rata) for professional development. This entitlement, from the Concordat to Support the Career Development of Researchers, applies to Postdocs, Research Assistants, Research and Teaching Technicians, Teaching Fellows and AEP equivalent up to and including grade 7. Visit the Centre for Research Staff Development for more information.
About you:
To be successful in this role, we are looking for candidates to have the following skills and experience:
Essential criteria
- BSc (or equivalent) in Medical Biosciences, Biomedical Sciences or Neurosciences.
- Practical laboratory research experience in a research project involving multiple sclerosis, with understanding of multiple sclerosis pathology, disease mechanisms or clinical research.
- Demonstrate experience with molecular and cellular laboratory techniques, including Western blotting, qPCR, Proteomics, Flow cytometry, Tissue Culture, IHC/IF and Spatial transcriptomics.
- A working knowledge of immunology, neuroimmunology or inflammatory mechanisms relevant to multiple sclerosis.
- Previous experience analysing brain tissue sections or MRI data to investigate brain pathology and structural changes associated with multiple sclerosis specifically.
- Programming or data-analysis skills (E.g., R or MATLAB).
- Previous experience in a patient-facing or clinical research role in which communicating risk and uncertainty appropriately to participants and families was an important responsibility.
- Previous experience working in a research environment with an understanding of research ethics, governance, confidentiality and data protection, and maintenance of accurate laboratory records, sample tracking and research documentation.
Desirable criteria
- Experience contributing to publications.
- Experience working within a clinical trial with regards to recruitment, engagement, obtaining data (samples/MRIs) and longitudinal follow up.
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 page. This document will provide information of what criteria will be assessed at each stage of the recruitment process.
IMPORTANT: Before applying for this role, please make sure you have the right to work in the country where the role is based. Unless it clearly stipulates within in the job advert above that the hiring company is looking to or able to sponsor applicants it is deemed that the hiring employer will only consider applications from those able to comply with and work in the country where the role is based.
