Research Assistant

The Social, Genetic & Developmental Psychiatry (SGDP) Centre is an interdisciplinary research centre that focuses on how genetics (‘nature’) and the environment (‘nurture’) interact to affect psychiatric disorders, neurodevelopmental conditions, and individual differences across development. Scientists at the SGDP lead some of the UK’s foremost longitudinal cohort and twin studies including TEDS, eRISK, Dunedin, and GLAD.

The ADHD Remote Technology (ART) research programme, led by Professors Jonna Kuntsi and Richard Dobson, focuses on the development and application of a novel remote measurement technology system for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and associated conditions and traits. Projects include the MRC-funded research programme ADHD Remote Technology, the ADHD transition: predicting and preventing negative outcomes (ART-transition) study, and an EU-funded remote monitoring project on adults with ADHD.

The ART-transition study involves remotely monitoring 250 young people with ADHD over a two-year continuous assessment period, using both active and passive monitoring. The active monitoring involves the participant completing questionnaires and a speech task on a purpose-built smartphone Active App and completing cognitive tasks on a home computer. Passive monitoring involves data collection using a wearable device and a purpose-built smartphone Passive App (for example, data on physical activity, sleep, social interaction, relative location and digital usage).

The data will enable the team to address three core questions on the transition to adulthood for individuals with ADHD:
What changes take place? What predicts these changes? How can we prevent negative outcomes and support healthy lifestyles? The team will then work with young people with ADHD to co‑design a prototype for a new ADHD‑transition smartphone app. It aims to prevent negative outcomes and support healthy lifestyles by facilitating self‑management, personalisation of treatment and engagement with adult services.

We are looking for a highly motivated and enthusiastic Research Assistant to work on the ‘ADHD Remote Technology and ADHD transition: predicting and preventing negative outcomes’ (ART-transition) project. The post-holder will work with Professor Jonna Kuntsi and Dr Aislinn Bowler, Postdoctoral Research Associate, in the Social, Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry (SGDP) Centre at the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London.

They will also work closely with Professor Richard Dobson and his team.

The post-holder will be involved in data collection and participant management for the ART-transition study. The post-holder will be required to manage and support current participants throughout their 24‑month study period and to conduct debrief interviews with participants at the end of their study period. The post will also involve data cleaning, data management, and data analysis of the longitudinal remote monitoring data.

Further duties include day‑to‑day study management, including database management, writing newsletters, attending meetings, and liaising with clinicians.

The post-holder will report to Dr Aislinn Bowler and Professor Jonna Kuntsi but will also work with other research staff and students working on the ART research programme, including research assistants, PhD students, postdocs, and software developers.

• 2.1 or higher undergraduate degree in psychology or a related mental health discipline
• Experience of scientific research
• Evidence of strong communication and team working skills
• Evidence of strong time management and organisational skills
• Strong data cleaning and data analysis skills
• An MSc in psychology or a related mental health discipline (completed or near completion)
• Experience of data collection (e.g., conducting psychiatric interviews and administering cognitive assessments)
• Experience of working with young people and/or individuals with lived experience of neurodevelopmental or psychiatric conditions
• Experience of remote monitoring research, app development and/or co-design

The ART team strives to be a diverse research environment that is open and welcoming to all.

Research staff at King’s are entitled to at least 10 days per year (pro‑rata) for professional development. This entitlement, from the Concordat to Support the Career Development of Researchers, applies to Postdocs, Research Assistants, Research and Teaching Technicians, Teaching Fellows and AEP equivalent up to and including grade 7.