Clinical Research Fellow

Overview

This is an exciting opportunity for an early‑career clinician to join a dynamic and expanding research team at Kent and Medway Mental Health NHS Trust. The Clinical Research Fellow post is designed for a motivated individual with a strong interest in psychiatry, dementia, and translational neuroscience. The role offers a unique blend of clinical and academic experience, supporting a portfolio of cutting‑edge studies including blood biomarkers for Alzheimer’s disease, psychosis, circadian rhythms, and ultra‑low field MRI.

You will work closely with senior clinicians, researchers, and academic partners to deliver high‑quality research that directly impacts patient care.

The post provides excellent opportunities for professional development, including involvement in protocol development, ethics submissions, and potential authorship on publications. You will also gain experience in Good Clinical Practice (GCP), research governance, and multidisciplinary collaboration.

We are Kent and Medway Mental Health NHS Trust, providing vital mental health, learning disability, and specialist services to a population of 1.8 million people across Kent and Medway.

• Support the delivery of clinical research studies in dementia and mental health, including participant recruitment, screening, follow‑up and data collection.
• Apply clinical judgement to assess participant eligibility, capacity and risk, and obtain informed consent from patients, carers and families, many of whom may have cognitive impairment or severe mental illness.
• Conduct psychiatric, cognitive and clinical assessments in accordance with study protocols, Good Clinical Practice (GCP), and regulatory requirements.
• Work collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams including psychiatrists, neurologists, research nurses, MRI specialists and academic partners to coordinate and deliver research activity.
• Manage workload across multiple concurrent studies, ensuring accurate documentation, adherence to protocols, timely recruitment and high‑quality data.
• Contribute to study set‑up activities such as feasibility assessments, ethics applications, site initiation visits and protocol development.
• Monitor participants for adverse events and, when necessary, elevate clinical concerns to the Principal Investigator.
• Maintain accurate research records, including source data, case report forms, delegation logs and electronic data entry systems.
• Support research development through literature review, contributing to new project ideas and assisting with drafting research documentation.
• Participate in training, supervision and mentorship, and may provide guidance to trainees or students involved in research activity.
• Work in accordance with Trust policies, research governance requirements, health and safety, infection control and safeguarding standards.

• MBBS degree or equivalent.
• Full GMC registration with a valid license to practice.
• 12 months experience working in the NHS.
• Relevant clinical and/or research experience, particularly in psychosis, mood disorders and dementia.
• Experience of recruitment for and/or delivery of clinical research in psychiatry.
• Skills and experience relevant to the recruitment and clinical assessment of patients with psychiatric disorders.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to work independently as well as within multidisciplinary teams.
• Evidence of good academic potential and trajectory (e.g. prizes, distinctions, publications depending on career level, prior presentation of research findings, grant funding).

Exceptional professional development opportunities, including the possibility of authorship on publications and involvement in protocol development and ethics submissions. GCP, research governance and multidisciplinary collaboration experience. Access to CPD, PGME engagement and mentorship. Opportunity to contribute to cutting‑edge research in dementia, psychosis, biomarkers, circadian rhythm research and advanced neuroimaging. Friendly, passionate colleagues with diversity and commitment to brilliant care.

Salary will be determined by previous experience. The role offers the chance to work within the picturesque Garden of England and enjoy a high quality of life.