Job Description

 

 

Job description

This post is for a Postdoctoral Research Associate with a PhD in Nutrition. The post will offer leadership on three clinical trials in diet and gut health, one trial will be in the set-up stage (ethics, protocol design), the second is at the participant recruitment stage (screening, intervention) and the third is at the analysis stage (data analysis, manuscript writing). Therefore, this is an exciting opportunity to work across the research spectrum at a centre of excellence for diet and gut health research, and will help establish the postholder as a leader in human nutrition intervention studies. There will be extensive opportunity for publications and developing independence in research, including supporting the postholder to apply for research grants.   

The post holder will lead on the projects on a day-to-day basis, with a key role including involvement in, and leadership of, obtaining the necessary regulatory approvals, recruiting study participants, delivering the dietary intervention, maintaining study documentation, co-ordinating subject correspondence and conducting study visits, processing and analysing laboratory samples, and ensuring measurements of primary and secondary outcomes are conducted according to standard operating protocols. 

They will also be involved in data analysis and dissemination, including manuscript preparation, and co-ordination of correspondence with funders. The post-holder will be expected to work closely and effectively with other team members, including supporting doctoral students. 

This post will be offered on a  fixed-term contract until 28/02/2025. 

This is a full-time  post - 100% full time equivalent.

Key responsibilities

• Carry out research into gastrointestinal health and food components as directed by Dr Eirini Dimidi and Prof Kevin Whelan (Department of Nutritional Sciences, King’s College London) 
• Collaborate with a team of researchers (including PhD students) and staff at King’s College London and at different sites and the funders in the running, analysis and interpretation of the studies. 
• Lead on recruitment of participants to studies, screening and monitoring of study participants. 
• Order supplies for clinical investigations and other materials associated with research studies. 
• Collect and process samples (e.g. stool, blood) collected from study participants. 
• Ensure all data is carefully and promptly collated and entered into the database throughout the study and that records and samples are properly kept and audited 
• Engage in research and produce written research outputs, as set out in the research protocol and as agreed with the Principal Investigators 
• Develop ideas for future research studies and publications, and to develop these. 
• Participate in all project meetings 

The above list of responsibilities may not be exhaustive, and the post holder will be required to undertake such tasks and responsibilities as may reasonably be expected within the scope and grading of the post.  

Skills, knowledge, and experience 

Essential criteria  

1.       PhD in Nutrition (or on a topic related to Nutrition) 

2.       Proficiency in using Microsoft Word, Excel, email, internet, and other academic research-related software, eg SPSS, referencing software 

3.       Experience of working on a human dietary intervention trials. 

4.       Evidence of excellent organisational skills and attention to detail whilst working on a range of projects  

5.       Management of data and statistical analysis 

6.       Ability to write high quality reports and manuscripts in English  

7.       Working independently on a research project 

8.       Ability to work as part of a research team 

9.       Flexible approach to working (including travel, hours, locations, different roles on different studies) 

10.   Committed to equality, diversity and inclusion, actively addressing areas of potential bias. 

Candidates are strongly encouraged to specifically address the essential criteria outlined in the Person Specification in their covering letter. 

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

The Department of Nutritional Sciences explores the relationship between diet, health and disease from molecules to populations. Based at King’s Waterloo Campus, the Department of Nutritional Sciences combines over 60 basic and applied scientists, dietitians, nutritionists, doctors and public health experts. Our mission is to find new ways to improve health and to prevent and treat nutrition-related disease. 

We began in 1953 as the first university department of nutrition in Europe and have been at the forefront of research in nutrition science and dietetics ever since. We have developed new food applications to impact blood glucose control, collected big data through citizen science to understand individual responses to food, pioneered the low FODMAP diet as a treatment for IBS, and are developing new cereal processing techniques to unlock the natural iron and zinc in staple foods. 

School of Life Course & Population Sciences

The Department is based in the School of Life Course & Population Sciences, one of six research Schools that make up the Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine at King’s College London. By exploring the life course of health and disease, the School of Life Course & Population Sciences approaches health and disease in a different way. 

We unite more than 400 experts in women and children’s health, nutritional sciences, population health and the molecular genetics of human disease. Our research links the causes of common health problems to life’s landmark stages treating life, disease and healthcare as a continuum. 

We are interdisciplinary by nature and this innovative approach works. In REF 2021, the Department and School were returned under Unit of Assessment 3 (Allied Health Professions, Dentistry, Nursing and Pharmacy) where 70% of research was 4* (world-leading) and 95% of research was 4* and 3* (world-leading or internationally excellent), and importantly, 100% of the research environment was rated 4* (world-leading). This resulted in the highest ranking in the UK for UoA3 for research, research output, research GPA and research power.   

More information: https://www.kcl.ac.uk/slcps

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