Job summary
This is an exciting opportunity for an enthusiastic and motivated individual with a research record and interest in diabetes, particularly in younger adults and pregnancy, to gain excellent research experience by contributing to research projects supported by NIHR and Diabetes UK, and to prepare new fellowship and other applications.
People with young onset type 2 diabetes historically have been an overlooked group, despite their increased risks of morbidity and mortality. Research in the department focuses on designing and implementing novel models of care that improve outcomes for young people with diabetes, including during pregnancy.
Main duties of the job
The postholder will work with Dr. Dulmini Kariyawasam and Dr. Anna Brackenridge to support existing research activity, including recruiting patients to clinical research studies, supporting data collection and helping with data analysis. They will liaise with other centres involved in research collaboration. They will assist in identifying and applying for further funding to carry the work forward, undertaking data and literature review, working in collaboration with academics/researchers at Kings College London and across the ARC. The post-holder will work on improving care for people with diabetes, engaging with young and pregnant people with diabetes, preparing and implementing innovative models of care and decision support tools and promoting effective self-management.
The post provides an opportunity for the post-holder to hone their methodological skills and develop practical and theoretical research expertise. You will participate in all aspects of research, including development of protocols, application to ethics committees, focus groups, interviewing and data collection, analysis and reporting, wider engagement, liaison with clinical services and dissemination of research outputs.
About us
The Department of Diabetes and Endocrinology is part of the Clinical Directorate of Medical Specialties, which sits within the Integrated and Specialist Medicine Clinical Group. The Diabetes and Endocrinology Department is an important element of local and tertiary medical services. It treats approximately 20,000 patients each year including many tertiary referrals for diabetes, lipid, obesity, metabolic and endocrine disorders. The clinics are accommodated in modern purpose-built Day Centres on both the Guy's and St. Thomas' sites. The Diabetes service also provides community-based clinics.
The Department has a very active and expanding research programme supported by our own research nurses and administrative staff and also the state of the art Clinical Research Facilities. We have very active clinical and translational research programmes including trials of peptide therapy to try to preserve beta cell function in type 1 diabetes and research into complications of diabetes particularly diabetic kidney and vascular complications and novel treatments for obesity. There is ongoing collaborative research developing innovative models of care for young people with diabetes, and trying to improve outcomes for women with diabetes in pregnancy.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Clinical research delivery
- Contribute to the smooth running of existing clinical trials in the department: identifying participants, liaising with clinical team to ensure that trial protocol is adhered to, recording observation and assessments required according to the protocol.
- Ensure that proposed patients for clinical trials are enrolled in accordance with unit standard operating procedure.
- Participate in the informed consent process of all study types, acting as a resource and support to patients and their families.
- Lead & take informed consent for observational research studies where appropriately trained and delegated.
- Contribute to study data collection, for example by collecting clinical data, or by interviewing patients, carers, professionals and other relevant individuals, according to study protocol.
Data analysis
- Manage and execute all delegated areas of project and literature reviews, keeping to agreed deadlines
- Draft research reports and papers, including progress reports, final reports and publications, and update reporting databases
- Maintain and update research datasets
- Analysis of data using appropriate statistical and other packages e.g. SPSS, Excel
- Contribute to the dissemination of study results, knowledge mobilisation and implementation of good practice.
Organisational
- Liaise with funders, clinical staff at GSTT, academic colleagues at KCL, and collaborating organisations
- Work flexibly and in collaboration with staff in relevant organisations involved in the projects
- Participate in departmental staff meetings, seminars, appraisal and team building exercises and the general research quality and administrative duties within the department
- Any other duties consistent with the grade of the post, as agreed with line managers. This may include undertaking ad hoc reports and representing the projects at meetings or conferences
Education and Training
- Take responsibility for identifying personal training and educational needs within the context of the service and those identified during the appraisal process.
- Attend national and international Investigator Meetings and conferences as required.
- Disseminate research by assisting in the preparation of posters/research papers for meetings, conferences and publications.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Clinical research delivery
- Contribute to the smooth running of existing clinical trials in the department: identifying participants, liaising with clinical team to ensure that trial protocol is adhered to, recording observation and assessments required according to the protocol.
- Ensure that proposed patients for clinical trials are enrolled in accordance with unit standard operating procedure.
- Participate in the informed consent process of all study types, acting as a resource and support to patients and their families.
- Lead & take informed consent for observational research studies where appropriately trained and delegated.
- Contribute to study data collection, for example by collecting clinical data, or by interviewing patients, carers, professionals and other relevant individuals, according to study protocol.
Data analysis
- Manage and execute all delegated areas of project and literature reviews, keeping to agreed deadlines
- Draft research reports and papers, including progress reports, final reports and publications, and update reporting databases
- Maintain and update research datasets
- Analysis of data using appropriate statistical and other packages e.g. SPSS, Excel
- Contribute to the dissemination of study results, knowledge mobilisation and implementation of good practice.
Organisational
- Liaise with funders, clinical staff at GSTT, academic colleagues at KCL, and collaborating organisations
- Work flexibly and in collaboration with staff in relevant organisations involved in the projects
- Participate in departmental staff meetings, seminars, appraisal and team building exercises and the general research quality and administrative duties within the department
- Any other duties consistent with the grade of the post, as agreed with line managers. This may include undertaking ad hoc reports and representing the projects at meetings or conferences
Education and Training
- Take responsibility for identifying personal training and educational needs within the context of the service and those identified during the appraisal process.
- Attend national and international Investigator Meetings and conferences as required.
- Disseminate research by assisting in the preparation of posters/research papers for meetings, conferences and publications.
Person Specification
Knowledge/Qualifications
Essential
- A degree in health, life sciences, social sciences or similar
Desirable
- Higher degree (Masters or PhD in related field)
Previous experience
Essential
- Relevant research experience (e.g. applied health research) - in particular literature reviews, interviewing, protocol development, conducting studies, analysing results, reporting findings
- Previous experience in analysing research data to a high degree of accuracy, with a good level of numeracy - with commitment to rigour of analysis, and sound research computing skills, and ability to learn new packages - e.g. word-processing, databases, Reference Manager, SPSS, graphics packages
- Demonstrated understanding of research methods, including quantitative and qualitative research
Desirable
- Research or clinical experience in diabetes
- Experience of interviewing users about sensitive issues
- Experience of making submissions to funders for research grants
Skills
Essential
- Excellent presentation and communication skills, and ability to adapt to different audiences, evidenced by presenting at relevant meetings, research publications
- Commitment to high quality research and teaching
- Commitment to improving care of younger people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes
Person Specification
Knowledge/Qualifications
Essential
- A degree in health, life sciences, social sciences or similar
Desirable
- Higher degree (Masters or PhD in related field)
Previous experience
Essential
- Relevant research experience (e.g. applied health research) - in particular literature reviews, interviewing, protocol development, conducting studies, analysing results, reporting findings
- Previous experience in analysing research data to a high degree of accuracy, with a good level of numeracy - with commitment to rigour of analysis, and sound research computing skills, and ability to learn new packages - e.g. word-processing, databases, Reference Manager, SPSS, graphics packages
- Demonstrated understanding of research methods, including quantitative and qualitative research
Desirable
- Research or clinical experience in diabetes
- Experience of interviewing users about sensitive issues
- Experience of making submissions to funders for research grants
Skills
Essential
- Excellent presentation and communication skills, and ability to adapt to different audiences, evidenced by presenting at relevant meetings, research publications
- Commitment to high quality research and teaching
- Commitment to improving care of younger people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Additional information
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
