Research Associate in Neurology

King's College London

Department: Centre for Neuroimaging Sciences (CNS), Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience (IoPPN), King’s College London
Contract: Full-time, fixed-term until 31 August 2029
Hours: 35 hours per week

About Us

The Centre for Neuroimaging Sciences (CNS) at King’s College London is a world-leading research centre specialising in neuroimaging and psychopharmacology. Our multidisciplinary teams combine expertise in neuroscience, psychiatry, imaging, and pharmacology to study how drugs and psychiatric conditions influence brain function and behaviour.

With state-of-the-art MRI, PET, and EEG facilities, the CNS provides a dynamic environment for investigating neurobiological mechanisms underlying mental health and novel pharmacological compounds. This role offers the opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge translational research in one of the UK’s leading research centres.

About the Role

We are seeking a highly motivated Postdoctoral Researcher with expertise in psychopharmacology and an interest in cannabinoid/cannabis, paranoia, psychiatry, and neuroscience to join the team led by Prof Mitul Mehta and Dr Amir Englund.

The successful candidate will contribute to a Wellcome Trust-funded project exploring the social and non-social cognitive mechanisms underlying paranoia under the influence of THC and in individuals seeking support for psychosis.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Lead and coordinate experimental psychopharmacology studies: two THC studies in healthy volunteers and one patient-facing study.

  • Collect and manage psychopharmacology, clinical, imaging, and general population data.

  • Liaise with collaborators to support study conduct.

  • Contribute to analysis, manuscript preparation, and dissemination of research findings.

  • Present updates at internal meetings, external collaborations, and conferences.

  • Mentor undergraduate, masters, and PhD students within the Department of Neuroimaging.

  • Develop new research questions and approaches in collaboration with Prof Mehta, Dr Englund, and the wider team.

  • Manage own workload and ensure resources and deadlines are met.

  • Undertake other relevant activities as directed by line manager.

This role offers flexibility in working arrangements to suit individual needs.

About You

Essential Criteria:

  1. PhD in Cognitive Science, Psychopharmacology, Neuroimaging, Neuroscience, or related disciplines (candidates who have submitted their thesis and are awaiting award will be considered).

  2. Previous experience in clinical trials or experimental psychopharmacology research.

  3. Experience collecting data from clinical, support-seeking participants.

  4. Knowledge of Good Clinical Practice (GCP) and Research Governance Frameworks.

  5. Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

  6. Ability to work independently and collaboratively.

  7. Strong organisational and time management skills, including prioritising workload and meeting deadlines.

Desirable Criteria:

  1. Scripting experience in Python, R, or other open-source languages.

  2. Prior experience or knowledge of cannabis research or cannabinoid psychopharmacology.

  3. Experience with neuroimaging analysis (fMRI, MRI) to study brain mechanisms.

  4. Experience with data collection in psychosis spectrum populations.

  5. Knowledge of research methods and study design in clinical trials/experimental psychopharmacology.

Further Information

  • Candidates should submit a CV and a supporting statement detailing how they meet the essential (and desirable, if applicable) criteria.

  • Interviews are expected at the end of January.

  • This post is subject to Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) & Occupational Health clearances.

We are committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion. We encourage applicants from all backgrounds to apply and aim to create a diverse and inclusive candidate pool.

For information on how applications are assessed, please see King’s College London ‘How We Recruit’ pages.

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