Research Associate in Addictions

We would like to appoint a Post-doctoral Researcher to play a key role within a newly NIHR funded project. The research focuses on the development, evaluation and testing of a Virtual Reality-enhanced Cue Exposure Treatment integrated with a wearable device to address craving, prevent relapse and improve treatment outcomes of people with cocaine dependence. 

A key challenge in helping people to recover from cocaine addiction (or dependence) is their craving for the drug that can be triggered by ‘cues’ in their environment, such as situations or objects, which remind them of the pleasurable effects of cocaine. This process is known as ‘classical conditioning’ and the aim of this study is to reduce the risk of relapse to cocaine through use of novel technologies to reduce craving.

Why do we want to do this?

The effectiveness of current talking therapies for cocaine dependence is limited by poor service user engagement and a high rate of relapse soon after the treatment ends. Some people experience intense craving for cocaine which leads to continued cocaine use, and existing treatments have little or no impact on this.

Previous research in people with alcohol dependence showed that repeated exposure to triggers (or cues) for alcohol use, in a safe treatment environment, can significantly reduce their level of craving and relapse. This is known as ‘cue exposure treatment’ (CET). But CET has not been fully explored as a treatment for cocaine addiction, although several studies have shown its potential.

The development of new technologies including virtual reality and wearable devices, to record real-time physical responses to cues in the patient’s everyday environment, offer novel ways to deliver CET to help people overcome cocaine dependence.

What we plan to study

In this research we are planning to use virtual reality to develop more realistic CET environments which are tailored to the individual’s experiences, and hence have a greater impact on reducing craving than previously available methods.

Cocaine craving, and relapse to cocaine use are associated with physical changes to the body that can be measured. We are planning to ask individuals to wear a novel watch-like device that can measures physical changes to cues in their everyday environment. With this technology we will be able to identify in real time when they experience an episode of craving or start using cocaine again, to understand what real-life situations or circumstances have triggered these events, and allow us to provide support remotely when we detect they encounter situations that increase their risk of relapse. We will test the ability of technology-enhanced CET to reduce craving and relapse to cocaine use, compared to people receiving usual care.

Patient and public involvement

We have engaged people with cocaine dependence to help us design this research in a way that is acceptable and meaningful to their situation. We plan to continue to have extensive service user involvement throughout each stage of this research.

In addition to research publications, we will work with service users to develop accessible briefings on the findings of the research.

This research is a collaboration involving five UK universities led from the Addictions Department at King’s College London (KCL), the University of Kent, University of Hull, University of Birmingham, and University of Southampton.

The person appointed will be based in the Addictions Department at King’s College London (KCL) and will report to Dr Paolo Deluca (Lead applicant), through whom there will be accountability to the research’s management team.

The appointee will also work with a Virtual Reality developer (to be appointed), also based in the addiction department, and will line manage a research assistant (to be appointed) during the participants recruitment phases of the project.

A junior statistician, based in the department of biostatistics and health informatics under the supervision of Prof Daniel Stahl, will also be part of the team.

The team will work collectively to achieve the project milestones and will also collaborate with colleagues across various universities, clinical groups and service providers, NIHR and PPI groups.

The successful candidate will have a good understanding of addictive behaviours, experience in conducting quantitative and qualitative research in clinical settings, securing ethics and research governance approvals, and a track record of conducting PPI work to inform research. Having conducted research using wearable devices and/or virtual reality will be an asset.  

You will also have established research skills relevant to this work, and a track record of publishing in peer-reviewed journals. You should be a clear and balanced communicator and committed to equality, diversity and inclusion principles. The successful appointee will be expected to be reliable and efficient and also to have good inter-personal as well as organisational skills.

We are committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion in everything we do. Diverse people and communities shape our research, and we strive to make opportunities to participate in research an integral part of everyone’s experience of health and social care services. 

We particularly welcome applications from black and minority ethnic candidates as they are under-represented within the university at this level.

This post will be offered on a full-time, fixed term contract until 27 February 2027.

Key responsibilities

• To work with Dr Paolo Deluca and other collaborators  within the VR-CET project to develop and conduct specific studies as outlined in the grant application
• To assist with research development work including: systematic reviews, questionnaire design, preparing applications for research ethics approval, training of relevant colleagues, ensuring compliance with research governance
• To liaise with various partners to ensure recruitment of participants and adherence to protocol
• To communicate effectively with colleagues involved with specific studies as well as with wider stakeholders, PPI, and target audiences
• To work with research and other linked staff to ensure smooth and timely development of research components
• To write clear precise research reports and reviews
• To present research data to relevant steering groups and other academic and stakeholder groups
• To work as an active member of the Addictions Department
• To contribute, as appropriate, to Addictions/Substance use training within the Department (including the Addictions MSc) as well as more widely
• To deal with problems effectively as they arise
• To demonstrate appropriate time management skills
• To ensure compliance with research guidelines and research governance
• To work independently under the supervision of more senior staff
• To contribute to design and conduct of selected research studies, as directed
• To contribute to preparation of reports and also, where appropriate, to scientific communications including journal publications
• To contribute to new grant applications

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

1.       An undergraduate and/or Masters degree in a related area, including relevant training in research methods

2.       A PhD in addiction*

3.       Active contribution to scientific publications in relevant peer-reviewed scientific journals, including several with significant authorship contribution (eg first author)

4.       Experience in applying for NHS ethics and governance approval

5.       Track record of working with PPI groups

6.       Understanding of equality, diversity and inclusion, and of the distortions that can be associated with stigma and discrimination

7.       Ability to communicate clearly and effectively (in oral, written and presentation modes) to a wide range of audiences

8.       Ability to complete administrative tasks efficiently

9.       Ability to work to own initiatives as well as being part of a team and prioritise workload in order to meet deadlines and targets

10.   Ability to work flexibly across projects when required

11.   Willingness to work in, or away from, the office as needed

12.   Willingness and ability to travel to different areas of the UK (Hull) for face-to-face meetings and facilitate recruitment when needed.

Desirable criteria

1.       Experience working with vulnerable people

2.       Experience of conducting research in clinical settings

3.       Experience of designing, coordinating and evaluating digital technology trials in NHS settings

4.       Experience of conducting research using wearable devices or virtual reality

5.       Experience of managing/supervising other staff

6.       Experience of working in multidisciplinary teams.

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.

This post is subject to Disclosure and Barring Service and Occupational Health clearance.