Research Associate in the Department of Addictions

About the role

We would like to appoint a post-doctoral researcher (Research Associate) to play a key role within the NIHR Applied Research Collaboration (ARC) South London Alcohol Theme.

NIHR Applied Research Collaboration (ARC) South London is a research organisation that brings together researchers, health and social care services, and local people to improve health and care in south London through applied research. It forms one of 15 collaborations across the country, funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) as part of a £135 million investment to improve the health and care of patients and the public. The programme focuses on clinical and social support responses to populations with long-term alcohol dependence and complex needs.

The role will primarily entail carrying out tasks that relate to the Alcohol Theme’s two overarching aims: to evaluate the impact of intervention implementation, and to facilitate knowledge mobilisation through the adoption and spread of interventions.

The person appointed will be based in the Addictions Department at King’s College London (KCL) and will report to Professor Paolo Deluca (Theme Lead) (or Research Fellow) through whom there is accountability to the ARC South London Executive and Board. The appointee will work with other Alcohol Theme colleagues, patient and public representatives, colleagues across the ARC South London and external stakeholders to achieve the project milestones.

The successful candidate will have a good understanding of addiction, particularly patient groups with alcohol dependence and complex needs. You will have experience of conducting research in a related topic.

You will be committed to equality, diversity and inclusion principles and an interest in developing patient and public involvement expertise.

You should have excellent spoken and written communication skills and an ability to respond in an agile manner to conflicting project demands and deadlines.

This is a part time post (0.4 FTE), and you will be offered a fixed term contract until 31.03.26 

About you

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

Essential criteria

1. A PhD in addiction 
2. Experience in applying for NHS ethics and governance approval 
3. Track record of working with patient and public involvement groups 
4. Good understanding of equality, diversity and inclusion, and of the distortions that can be associated with stigma and discrimination 
5. Ability to communicate clearly and effectively (in oral, written and presentation modes) to a wide range of audiences 
6. Ability to work to own initiatives as well as being part of a team and prioritise workload in order to meet deadlines and targets 
7. Ability to complete administrative tasks efficiently 
8. Ability to work flexibly across projects when required

Desirable criteria

1. Demonstrate active contribution to scientific publications in relevant peer-reviewed scientific journals, including with significant authorship contribution (e.g. first author)
2.  Experience of working with vulnerable people with complex needs  
3.  Experience of conducting research in clinical settings
4.  Experience of working in multidisciplinary teams

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