Post-doctoral Researcher

Location: Early Prevention of Cardiometabolic Disease Group, Department of Paediatrics, Children’s Hospital, John Radcliffe, Headington, Oxford

About the role

An exciting opportunity has arisen to join the Early Prevention of Cardiometabolic Disease Research Group led by Dr Alexander Jones at the University of Oxford. The group’s research explores how the risk factors for cardiometabolic disease, such as hypertension, dyslipidaemia and insulin resistance, that are well-known in adulthood are driven by primordial factors in childhood. The postholder will support the OxSOCRATES study, which is addressing reversibility of these factors in childhood with a randomised controlled trial of exercise. The post-holder will be funded by a British Heart Foundation grant held by the PI, Dr Alexander Jones. 

You will be responsible for delivering the innovative, online exercise intervention that underpins the randomised controlled trial in OxSOCRATES and be central to ongoing study recruitment activities. You will confidently integrate the technologies needed to deliver an online exercise intervention over video link with overall responsibility for safe engagement of participants in the training. You will also provide effective support to the research programme, using strong communication and organisational skills. 

You will be working in a growing department within the Medical Sciences Division. The Department of Paediatrics is a world leader in child health research and hosts internationally renowned research programmes in cardiology, drug development, gastroenterology, haematology, HIV, immunology, neuroimaging, neuromuscular diseases and vaccinology. 

This position is offered part-time on a fixed-term contract initially for 18 months with the possibility to extend provided further external funding is available. The post-holder will be well supported by an experienced multi-disciplinary research team, which includes the PI and other post-doctoral students, as well as members of collaborating groups. 

About you

You will have a DPhil qualification or equivalent in a field related to exercise physiology (e.g. sports and exercise science, physiotherapy, biomechanics), supplemented by relevant post-qualification experience in a clinical science role, with proven and demonstrable technical skills, including delivery of cardiopulmonary exercise testing and exercise interventions.  You will possess significant experience of recruitment to clinical studies with the ability to engage with and motivate children and adolescents to exercise.  You will have highly effective verbal and written communication skills with all levels of staff and an ability to be flexible and operate effectively in a demanding research environment. 

Application Process

You will be required to upload a CV and Supporting Statement as part of your online application. The Supporting Statement should include a cover letter and should also clearly describe how you meet each of the selection criteria listed in the job description. Click here for information and advice on writing an effective Supporting Statement. 

To discuss the post in more detail, please contact Dr Alexander Jones, the Principal Investigator, using the contact details below 

Only online applications received before 12.00 midday on Friday 16 August 2024 will be considered. Interviews will be held as soon as possible thereafter. 

The Department of Paediatrics offers an Interview Expense Reimbursement Policy in its efforts towards equality, diversity and inclusion. Should you be invited to interview, we will share further information about the policy at that stage.

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