King's College London

About Us

This post will be based in the Health Psychology Section, Department of Psychology, embedded within a team which brings together expertise in long-term condition (LTC) management, implementation, and intervention research. The post is hybrid, with most of the time being home based but possibility for the requirement to join in person in rare instances. The Health Psychology Section has been influential in the evolution of Health Psychology as a discipline in the UK. We are internationally recognised for excellence in research and teaching, including:

• Fundamental research to establish the psychosocial and neurological processes underlying adaptation to long-term conditions and the experience of symptoms
• Translational research testing the efficacy and effectiveness of theory-based psychological interventions for people with LTCs
• Development and evaluation of innovative methods for supporting self-management of health, symptoms, mood and adherence, including digital interventions
• Delivering two courses; the MSc in Health Psychology and the IAPT LTC top-up training

About the role

The post-holder will be a UK registered Physiotherapist, Occupational Therapist, Health Psychologist or Nurse with relevant experience working with those living with MS or a related condition who is looking for a new and rewarding challenge in clinical research. We are advertising for up to 8-10 part time registered Health Care Practitioners to join the team and will be primarily a remote post so the post-holders can work from home or another work location. A one-year part-time secondment may be possible if your workplace agrees.  The role will be part time at 40-80% FTE. Post-holders may need to attend an initial in person training.

The role is an exciting opportunity to work within a multidisciplinary team that includes world experts in managing symptoms in long-term health conditions, health economists, statisticians, implementation scientists and policymakers. The post-holders will join a team of researchers on REFUEL-MS, which is a 5.5-year programme of research jointly funded by the MS Society and the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Programme Grant.

REFUEL MS aims to develop, optimise and implement a blended, app-based digital intervention for multiple sclerosis (MS)-related fatigue, in the NHS.

We are 2 years into the programme and during this time, we have co-developed the intervention content and designed and built the first version of the app. This has involved reviewing existing evidence-based exercise and behavioural interventions, conducting qualitative interviews with people living with MS (pwMS), carers, and healthcare professionals (HCPs), and collaborating with key stakeholders and diversity consultants to develop a personalised, HCP-supported digital fatigue treatment.

The post-holder be given specialist training to provide support to a caseload of pwMS allocated to use REFUEL-MS through the upcoming randomised control trial beginning in early 2025 through virtual appointments and online support. They will be provided with relevant supervision at King’s College London and professional oversight from our colleagues at Guy’s and St Thomas’s NHS Foundation Trust.

The successful candidate will provide specialist support for pwMS to self-manage their progress through a digital intervention to reduce MS related fatigue.  Intervention will consist of; education on MS related fatigue and exacerbators, and treatment via CBT, exercise or balance programmes.

This is an opportunity to be involved in the exciting digital therapeutics landscape and contributing to preparation for health technology assessment.

You can learn more about our programme and team at www.refuel-ms.com or via our social media (@refuelms on Instagram and @refuel_ms on X).

The post holder will join a team of researchers including a Programme Manager, two postdoctoral Research Associate, a Health Psychologist and Research Assistants. You will also be part of the wider REFUEL-MS team including institutions across the UK, diversity consultants and advocates, and our Patient Advisory Group.

This is a part-time post (40-80% FTE) and is primarily a remote post, however, we are flexible so please do reach out to our Programme Manager with any questions. You will be offered a fixed term contract for one year. We have the right to close the advert earlier than advertised if we receive a sufficient number of applications.

About You

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

Grade 6

Essential criteria

1. Qualified Physiotherapist, Occupational Therapist, Health Psychologist or MS Nurse with profession specific recognised registration (e.g. NMC or HCPC registration). Trainee Health Psychologists will be considered on a case by case basis.
2. A minimum of 6-18 months experience of providing treatment to people with MS or to people in a closely related specialty
3. Keeping up to date with professional registration requirements including engaging in continuous professional development, keeping knowledge and skills up to date and in line with new developments within the profession
4. Understand the legal responsibilities of the profession and the requirements to comply with scope and standards of practice related to their profession
5. Evidence of being self-motivated as the post is primarily remote
6. Evidence of managing a complex caseload
7. Competent IT skills, including basic Excel spreadsheets and Outlook
8. Be able to speak and write English as necessary to undertake the role

Desirable criteria

1. Evidence of previous experience working with behavioural interventions
2. Knowledge, understanding and application of working within community or outpatient settings, or providing virtual support to patients
3. Experience working in a multidisciplinary team
4. Experience in using eCRFs or other databases

Grade 7

Essential criteria

1. Qualified Physiotherapist, Occupational Therapist, Health Psychologist or MS Nurse with profession specific recognised registration (e.g. NMC or HCPC registration). Trainee Health Psychologists will be considered on a case by case basis.
2. Masters level or equivalent training in a relevant specialist area or evidence of significant practice experience or research in relevant specialist area.
3. Significant clinical experience working with patients with neurological conditions
4. Keeping up to date with professional registration requirements including engaging in continuous professional development, keeping knowledge and skills up to date and in line with new developments within the profession
5. Understanding the legal responsibilities of the profession and the requirement on them to comply with scope and standards of practice related to their profession
6. Evidence of being self-motivated as the post is primarily remote
7. Evidence of managing and triaging a complex caseload
8. Experience of management or supervision of junior staff
9. Competent IT skills, including basic Excel spreadsheets and Outlook
10. Be able to speak and write English as necessary to undertake the role

Desirable criteria

1. Evidence of previous experience working with behavioural interventions
2. Knowledge, understanding and application of working within community or outpatient settings or providing virtual support to patients, particularly people with MS
3. Evidence treating fatigue
4. Experience working in a multidisciplinary team
5. Experience in using eCRFs or other databases

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 on these and other issues, to continue to support our people and to develop a diverse and inclusive culture at King's.

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 March (may be subject to change).

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

This post is subject to Disclosure and Barring Service and Occupational Health clearances.