We are looking for a post-doctoral researcher with expertise in psychiatric genetic research. The post-holder will join Dr Moritz Herle to work on his MQ funded project, titled: Why are people with eating disorders at higher risk of suicide? For more information, see: www.mqmentalhealth.org/research/why-are-people-with-eating-disorders-at-higher-risk-of-suicide/
The role holder will be responsible for running the quantitative part of this mixed-methods project, studying the mechanisms underlying the co-occurrence of eating disorder symptoms, self-harm, and suicide. Data analysed will be from pre-existing big data initiatives such as the eating disorders genetic initiative UK.
Applicants should hold a PhD in a related field such as psychiatric genetics, quantitative psychology, or epidemiology, and be confident in running complex statistical analyses of big datasets with a focus on contemporary psychiatric genomics, such as genome-wide structural equation modelling, genome-wide association studies, and polygenic risk scoring. Candidates are expected to have knowledge of unix/linux platforms, and a high level of expertise of programming in R or another statistical language.
In addition to working on this project, the postholder is expected to contribute to outreach and teaching activities, e.g. MSc dissertation supervision, at the Social, Genetic & Developmental Psychiatry Centre, and the IoPPN more broadly.
Professional and personal development will be a part of this role as well, and the post-holder will have the opportunity to attend internal and external courses and present research findings at national and international conferences.
We particularly welcome applicants who are disabled, LGBTQ+ and/or from a minority ethnic background, as they are particularly under-represented at King’s. At King’s, we are deeply committed to embedding good equality and diversity practice into all our activities so that the university is an inclusive, welcoming and inspiring place to work and study.
This post is offered on a fixed-term contract until 28/02/2025 .
This is a full-time contract, but part-time will be considered.
Key responsibilities
- Designing and running quantitative big data analyses on the overlap of eating disorder symptoms, self-harm, and suicidal thoughts using longitudinal and statistical genetic approaches
- Manage, curate and combine datasets from different data sources
- Discussing and reflecting research findings with people with lived experience
- Writing up and disseminating quantitative research results
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. A PhD in psychiatric (behavioural) genetics or another relevant field
2. Good knowledge of contemporary (multivariate) genomic analyses (e.g. genome-wide structural equation modelling, polygenic risk scores)
3. Confident in curating and analysing large datasets using high-performance cluster computing
4. Ability to complete research projects from research design to publication
5. A good understanding of open science practices (e.g. pre-registration, code documentation etc).
6. Experience in working in teams including people from different backgrounds, specifically people with lived experience of mental health disorders
7. Ability to time and project manage
8. Excellent communication skills
Desirable criteria
1. Experience in teaching activities, such as MSc dissertation supervision
2. Interest in mental health research
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.
