Post-Doctoral Research Associate in Behavioural Interventions

Job id: 085887. Salary: £43,205 – £50,585 per annum, including London Weighting Allowance.

Posted: 06 March 2024. Closing date: 01 April 2024.

Business unit: Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine. Department: Department of Population Health Sciences.

Contact details:Josip Car. [email protected]

Location: Guy’ Campus. Category: Research.

Job description

About the role: We are seeking to appoint a Post-Doctoral Research Associate in Behavioural Interventions to join the School of Population Health Sciences. This position is to enhance our research capabilities, particularly with a focus on digital therapeutics and health services research.

As a Post-Doctoral Research Associate, you will support our on-going research in the field of digital therapeutics and health services. Your primary focus will be on conducting and supporting the delivery of high-impact research. Responsibilities include:

• Lead and conduct research in behavioural interventions, digital therapeutics, and health services, aiming for publication in top-tier journals
• Develop and apply innovative behavioural intervention strategies within digital health platforms, assessing their impact on health outcomes
• Foster collaborative relationships and engage in networking activities to bolster partnerships within the digital health ecosystem
• Play a key role in the implementation of behavioural interventions, significantly contributing to the advancement of digital health research at our institution

Please note: As a research post, there are no formalised teaching requirements, although there are occasional opportunities to become involved in the School’s teaching programmes (e.g. our MSc).

The ideal candidate will possess:

• A PhD in Psychology, Behavioural Science, Digital Health, or a closely related field, with a strong emphasis on behavioural interventions
• Experience in conducting high-quality research in behavioural interventions, digital therapeutics, or health services research
• Experience in gaining research income (as a PI, CO-I or named researcher) from internal or external agencies
• Strong collaborative skills, with the ability to work effectively within interdisciplinary teams and forge strong relationships across various departments

We offer a unique working environment where you will have:

• An exciting opportunity to play a key role in shaping the future of digital therapeutics, and health services in the School
• A collaborative and supportive working environment at King’s College London
• Opportunities for professional development and engagement in interdisciplinary research
• The chance to contribute to digital health initiatives and collaborations with key health partners

This post will be offered on  a fixed-term contract for 18 months

This is a full-time  post – 100% full time equivalent

Key responsibilities

• Develop and apply innovative behavioural intervention strategies within digital health platforms, assessing their impact on health outcomes
• Conduct novel research in behavioural digital therapeutics, mobile health apps, AI in healthcare, and other emerging technologies. Publish findings in high-impact journals and present at international conferences
• Strengthen and broaden partnerships key stakeholders at a national and international level, utilising networking opportunities to bolster research and educational programs
• Facilitate interdisciplinary collaboration within King’s College London, bridging departments and schools to advance digital research
• Engage in public health initiatives, applying research insights to influence policy and practice, while also participating in community outreach to promote health and wellness through digital innovations

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.

Skills, knowledge, and experience

Essential criteria

PhD* in Psychology, Behavioral Science, Digital Health, or a closely related field, with a strong emphasis on behavioral interventions

Expertise in digital therapeutics and health service research, including the design and evaluation of behavioral interventions, mobile health apps, and AI in healthcare

Demonstrated ability to conduct high-quality, impactful research, as evidenced by peer-reviewed publications or equivalent

Strong critical appraisal skills, including the ability to review educational materials, research proposals, or act as a peer reviewer for journals, with the capability to identify and address issues using specialist knowledge

Experience in writing and securing research grants or developing proposals for research funding

Ability to work both independently and as part of a team, with a demonstrated history of productive collaborations

Demonstrate oral and written communication skills, with a proven ability to convey complex digital health concepts in an accessible manner to diverse audiences

A strong commitment to promoting equality, diversity, and inclusion within academic and research environments

* 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.

Desirable criteria

Familiarity with the digital health landscape, including current trends and challenges in the integration of digital therapeutics into healthcare systems

Experience with patient and public involvement in the design, development, and evaluation of digital health interventions

Knowledge of ethical considerations specific to digital health research and the development of digital therapeutics

Please submit your application, including a CV, cover letter, and contact information for two references via our recruitment site. Your cover letter should highlight your interest in the role, your relevant experience, your future research plan (in brief) and how you meet the qualifications listed above.

We ask all candidates to submit a copy of their CV, and a supporting statement, detailing how they meet the essential criteria listed in the advert.  If we receive a strong field of candidates, we may use the desirable criteria to choose our final shortlist, so please include your evidence against these where possible.

The School of Life Course & Population Sciences is one of six Schools that make up the Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine at King’s College London. The School unites over 400 experts in women and children’s health, nutritional sciences, population health and the molecular genetics of human disease. Our research links the causes of common health problems to life’s landmark stages, treating life, disease and healthcare as a continuum. We are interdisciplinary by nature and this innovative approach works: 91 per cent of our research submitted to the Subjects Allied to Medicine (Pharmacy, Nutritional Sciences and Women’s Health cluster) for REF was rated as world-leading or internationally excellent. We use this expertise to teach the next generation of health professionals and research scientists. Based across King’s Denmark Hill, Guy’s, St Thomas’ and Waterloo campuses, our academic programme of teaching, research and clinical practice is embedded across five Departments.

More information:  https://www.kcl.ac.uk/slcps