Research Associate

About the role

We are seeking a highly motivated and skilled Research Associate to join our team investigating the mechanisms of breathlessness and fatigue in Long COVID. This role involves conducting detailed physiological tests and exploring the relationship between physiological, behavioural, and psychological responses and symptom burden in individuals with Long COVID. The findings will inform the design of large-scale interventional studies and personalized rehabilitation programs. The ideal candidate for this position will hold a PhD (or be near completion) in Human Physiology, Sport & Exercise Sciences or a related field. Prior experience of conducting lung function tests and cardiopulmonary exercise testing in adult human participants is essential, and experience of conducting respiratory muscle function and peripheral muscle function tests is desirable. Please note that this is a part-time post (0.5 FTE) based on Denmark Hill campus.

The successful candidate will contribute to a research project funded by the BMA Foundation - J Moulton (Long-COVID) Grant. The post holder will work under the supervision of Dr Caroline Jolley (Clinical Respiratory Medicine & Respiratory Muscle Physiology) and Professor Gerrard Rafferty (Human & Translational Physiology). The work will be conducted in the Centre for Human and Applied Physiological Sciences laboratories in the Department of Respiratory Medicine at the Denmark Hill campus of King’s College London. The post holder will be responsible for conducting physiological tests (including spirometry, electrocardiogram (ECG), cardiopulmonary exercise testing, respiratory & peripheral muscle function tests) in healthy human participants and Long COVID patients, and to assist with preparation of manuscripts and outputs resulting from the project. The successful candidate will receive teaching in advanced respiratory and peripheral muscle testing to a level sufficient to understand the aims of the project and collect physiological data independently.

This is a part time post (17.5 hours per week) and you will be offered a fixed term contract until 31 October 2025.

About You

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

Essential criteria

• PhD in Human Physiology, Sport & Exercise Sciences or a related field*
• Practical experience of data acquisition and physiological measurements in healthy human subjects
• Prior experience of conducting lung function tests and cardiopulmonary exercise testing in adult human participants
• Experience of handling and analysing biomedical data
• Basic statistical knowledge
• Good communication skills to multi-disciplinary audiences
• Ability to work effectively with colleagues, and other agencies
• Good organisational and time management skills

* 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.

Desirable criteria

• Previous experience of conducting respiratory muscle function and peripheral muscle function tests
• Previous project management and/or research experience
• Presentation of research at national/international meetings
• Personal commitment to research
• Personal experience of work in a clinical setting

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