King's College London

About us

The Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience (IoPPN) has been fundamentally changing and shaping how we understand, prevent and treat mental illness and other conditions that affect the brain.  The legacy, ethos and drive of the IoPPN has ensured its position at the forefront of mental health care, redefining mental illness, its treatment and its place in society.  

The IoPPN is divided into 14 academic departments across three major academic Schools: Academic Psychiatry, Mental Health & Psychological Sciences, and Neuroscience. 

The Department of Psychological Medicine, part of the School of Academic Psychiatry, focuses on the interface between psychiatry and medicine, psychiatry and occupation, psychiatry and the military, and psychiatry in different settings.

Within the Department of Psychological Medicine, the Centre for Affective Disorders (CfAD) is a vibrant centre of expertise dedicated to research into affective disorders, primarily depression and bipolar illnesses. CfAD is a centre of excellence for both understanding the science related to these illnesses, and application of this knowledge to help develop new treatments of all types including psychological and pharmacological.  We are based in Denmark Hill, South London. 

About the role

The Centre brings together world-leading clinician scientists, based at King's College London including Professors Anthony Cleare, Roland Zahn, Carmine Pariante, and Allan Young.  

Affective disorders overlap with many other areas of psychiatry and medicine, so the Centre works with colleagues throughout King’s College London and more widely.    

The Centre for Affective Disorders at the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience is recruiting a highly motivated and passionate post-doctoral researcher to deliver exciting and important clinical research studies focused on mood disorders. This role will work closely with Professor Allan Young and a leading industry partner, as well as numerous other researchers, clinicians and academics in CfAD across a number of clinical studies. You will have a leadership role within a clinical trial aiming to enhance care for people with bipolar disorders through a new service aiming to enhance the engagement and involvement that people have with their treatment. The post holder will also have a leading role in managing, delivering and publishing other research focused on improving the lives of people affected by affective disorders. 

This is a full-time post offered on a fixed term contract for twelve months with the possibility of extension, subject to funding.

About you

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

Essential criteria 

1. PhD qualified in Affective Disorders or relevant subject area (or pending results)
2.  Experience managing clinical trials
3.  Demonstrate active contribution to scientific publications in relevant peer-reviewed scientific journals, including with significant authorship contribution (e.g. first author)
4. Experience of conducting research in clinical settings
5. Ability to work to own initiatives as well as being part of a team and prioritise workload in order to meet deadlines and targets
6. Experience of preparation and publication of data and related reports
7. Experience building or maintaining multi-site collaborations

Desirable criteria

1. Evidenced interest in affective disorders
2. Experience of preparing high level project and funding proposals
3. Track record of working with patient and public involvement
4. Experience leading teams
5. GCP certification 

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.

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

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.

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.