Clinical Research Fellow

This role will be a key member of a research team undertaking a multicentre NIHR-funded trial of a novel ultra long-term subcutaneous EEG device for the management of treatment-resistant epilepsy.  

The trial will investigate whether a novel method to accurately count epileptic seizures, using a minimally-invasive ultra long-term subcutaneous EEG system, (i) is more accurate than a patient-reported seizure diary; (ii) is feasible and acceptable to patients and clinicians; (iii) reduces impacts of epilepsy and improves quality-of-life; and (iv) provides gains to the healthcare system when rolled-out into the NHS. 

The role holder will work in a world-leading epilepsy research team, reporting directly to Professor Mark Richardson. The team has cutting-edge expertise in investigating the dynamics of seizure occurrences. This new NIHR project is part of a larger portfolio of projects investigating how and why seizures start at a particular time, and whether continuous remote monitoring of seizures can contribute to epilepsy clinical management and a better understanding of mechanisms of seizure onset. 

This role will work alongside a Study Coordinator, Data Analyst, Health Economist, epileptologists and other researchers. The role holder will assist in writing the protocol and governance paperwork; assist in setting up sites for recruitment (four required sites have already confirmed participation); and will take a lead in recruiting participants, following them up, and collecting their data; and will participate in data analysis as part of the team. The role holder will be expected to prepare manuscripts for publication, presentations for conferences, and actively participate in dissemination activities. Some travel to other research sites in the UK may occasionally eb required, including occasionally staying overnight. 

It is anticipated that there will be scope for the role-holder to design their own sub-projects and will be encouraged to enrol as a PhD student. It is also anticipated that the postholder will have the opportunity to contribute to clinical service work in King’s College Hospital to maintain clinical skills and gain experience in management of epilepsy. 

The School of Neuroscience at King’s College London is the second largest university neuroscience department in the UK, with approximately 100 faculty and a total of 600 staff and students. The School holds approximately £220 million in currently-active research grants, and, out of all universities globally, has the 4th highest number of highly-cited publications in neuroscience (source: SciVal 2022). The School hosts the MRC Centre in Neurodevelomental Disorders (which includes epilepsy as one of three clinical themes) and the King’s Centre of the UK Dementia Research Institute. The School of Neuroscience benefits from state-of-the-art lab research facilities in the Maurice Wohl Clinical Neurosciences Institute (where the role holder will have office space) and exceptional clinical research resources in the NIHR Clinical Research Facility in King’s College Hospital on the same campus. 

The regional Neurology and Neurosurgery service is located in King’s College Hospital on the same campus, and, including stroke and neurorehabilitation, has approximately 200 inpatient beds, making it one of the largest and busiest such centres in the UK. King’s College Hospital is home to the largest EEG department in the UK and one of the busiest epilepsy specialist services. 

This post will be offered on an a fixed-term contract until 31st August 2025 

This is a full-time post

•         assist the preparation of governance paperwork, protocol and eCRF forms  

•         work closely with recruitment sites, both remotely and through regular visits, to support the training of staff, setup of data collection, and troubleshooting participant progress 

•         maintain direct contact with patient participants, to schedule visits, trouble-shoot data collection, optimise data flow, and curate/archive data 

•         undertaking data analyses, working with other team members as required 

•         prepare manuscripts for publication and presentations 

•         the role holder must ensure compliance with all their own training requirements, and at all times adhere to the study protocol, GCP, GDPR, and all required legislation and guidelines in running a clinical trial 

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.  

Essential criteria  

1.       Medically qualified and on the UK medical register 

2.       Previously worked in a UK NHS hospital environment at ST1-ST2 level or higher in a relevant clinical specialty 

3.       Enthusiastic to join a multidisciplinary research team and contribute as part of a team  

4.       Evidence of ability to take personal responsibility to deliver tasks effectively, to a high standard and to a deadline 

5.       Familiarity with clinical trials, related legislation and governance practices 

6.       Willingness to be a first point of contact for enquiries from patient participants in the trial 

7.       Familiarity with epilepsy as a clinical disorder and knowledge of basic features of EEG 

8.       Willingness to expand knowledge of epilepsy, EEG, remote monitoring, and data analysis 

9.       Willingness to travel within the UK, occasionally staying overnight, in order to work with recruitment centres in other parts of the UK 

10.    Ability to write scientific manuscripts and presentations 

Desirable criteria

1.       Prior experience working in clinical trials 

2.       Prior training in EEG reporting 

3.       Familiarity with machine learning methods applied to time-series data