Post-doctoral Research Associate

We are seeking a highly motivated and skilled postdoctoral researcher to join our team in investigating the sensory landscape of inpatient and day-care practice for Autistic people with Eating Disorders. The successful candidate will work closely with Professor Kate Tchanturia to develop a pilot study that explores the sensory experiences related to the day-care practice. The postdoctoral researcher will be responsible for participant recruitment, data collection and analysis, database creation, report writing, and proposal development to secure funding. They will also assist with peer review publications and public engagement activities as needed.  

This post will be offered on a fixed-term contract for 9 months 

This is a part-time post 

• Develop a pilot study on the sensory landscape of inpatient and day-care practice for Autistic people with Eating Disorders.  
• Recruit research participants. Engaging service users in research. The post-holders will be expected to recruit and assess participants. This activity will take place in a variety of sites, including all sites of the South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust Eating Disorders Unit and occasionally also in the other participating Eating Disorder Units.
• Create a database to manage research data. To ensure that any data collection is conducted according to the specific research protocol and adheres to the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and is carried out according to Good Clinical Practice Guidelines.
• Lead data collection and analysis. The post-holder will be required to familiarise themselves with the relevant research literature in eating disorders and with data-analytic methods necessary to analyse the research data as directed by their supervisor, but also using their own initiative.
• Write reports on research findings; Assist with peer review publications.
• Develop research proposals in order to secure funding.
• Assist with public engagement and other forms of project dissemination as appropriate.
• Attending research meetings and research project management meetings.
• Undertaking any other duties, which may be required from time to time, as are consistent with the responsibilities of the grade and needs of the service.

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.  

Essential criteria  

Postgraduate degree, ideally an interdisciplinary doctoral degree, in a relevant subject area e.g. Anthropology, Psychology, Sociology. 

Postgraduate training in the development of interdisciplinary methods in the area of digital sensory technology (e.g. mixed methods research design using combination of experiential and representational methods).  

Willing to develop collaborative research project in the area of Digital Health technologies for the personalised management of mental disorders 

Relevant research experience, e.g. conducting observation/ethnography Relevant experience, e.g. as a postdoc researcher in multidisciplinary project. 

Experience of multimodal analysis and sensory ethnography. 

A current interest in Clinical Practice research. 

An ability to work effectively with a wide range of colleagues.  

Ability to follow study protocols and ethics guidelines accurately.  

Evidence of good organisational skills.  

Experience of qualitative research methods and analysis.  

Desirable criteria 

1.     Publications in peer reviewed journals 

2.     Knowledge of assessment procedures in research with patients with eating disorders 

3.     Familiarity with the relevant legislation and guidelines 

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.