Job Board

About us

The Addictions Department, also known as the National Addiction Centre (NAC), is one of the most productive addictions research groups in Europe. We represent an important area of health-related study as the Addictions Clinical Academic Group (CAG) within King’s Health Partners, and form one of the core areas of the Academic Health Science Centre that brings together university partners King’s College London with the NHS from South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, King’s College Hospital and Guy’s and St Thomas’. RAND Europe rated our work on Substance Abuse Research as leading in the field.

The Addictions department at King’s College London is based at Denmark Hill in London, but for this role, the appointed person would be based at the University of Hull. However, the role involves closely working with team members based in London.

www.hull.ac.uk/work-with-us/research/groups/centre-for-addiction-and-mental-health-research

About the role

We would like to appoint a Research Assistant 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.

What we plan to study

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

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

The person appointed will be employed by the Addictions Department at King’s College London (KCL) and will report to Professor Paolo Deluca (Lead applicant) but will be based at the University of Hull and work closely with Professor Tom Phillips. The person appointed will also be working closely with the Project Manger Dr Eileen Brobbin, who is based at King’s College London but will also involve in person meetings between Eileen and the appointed person for training.

The successful candidate will have a good understanding of addictive behaviours, experience in conducting quantitative and qualitative research in clinical settings, and data collection and recruitment. 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. 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.

This is a full-time post and you will be offered a fixed term contract of two years.

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The objectives of the Programme on Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders (MNS) in EMRO are to guide Member States in the development, adaptation and implementation of evidence-informed policies, plans, legislations and interventions aimed at the promotion of mental health and prevention of mental, neurological and substance use disorders, delivery of services based on best practices and standards of care and promoting recovery, and observance of human rights in an inter and multi-sectoral milieu.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

The incumbent will be responsible for the following duties: Assess the current regional situation of substance use and substance use disorders and develop a strategic approach to assist Member States in prevention and treatment for substance use disorders in line with the regional framework to strengthen public health action on the problem of substance use. Enhance the capacities of Member States to develop and implement-evidence informed policies and legislations and strengthen the health systems response to public health problems related to substance use. Provide technical support and advice to Member States in developing national strategies and action plans on reducing health consequences of substance use, scaling up evidence-based interventions for the prevention of substance use disorders, and provision of quality services to people with substance use disorders across the continuum of care. Plan, develop, implement and monitor building capacity activities at country and regional levels to respond to public health problems attributable to substance use and substance use disorders. Support Member States in the development of surveillance and monitoring systems for substance use. Provide technical support and advice to civil society organizations and other entities, as appropriate, on the issues related to reduction of the public health problems associated with substance use. Foster collaboration and partnerships with other EMRO programmes and initiatives in the area of substance use and public health. Prepare and revise technical documents, briefing notes, meeting reports, information products and content of EMRO website related to work under the incumbent's responsibility, as appropriate.

OBJECTIVE OF THE OFFICE/DEPARTMENT

This requisition is for employment at the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO)/Regional Office of the World Health Organization (WHO)

The Noncommunicable Diseases and Mental Health (NMH) Department promotes, coordinates, and implements technical cooperation activities, directed at the prevention and control of non-communicable diseases and related risk factors, mental, neurological and substance use disorders and disabilities, and promotion of optimal nutrition and road safety, that are evidence-based and appropriate for the political and sociocultural context in which they are implemented. It raises political and public awareness and understanding of the burden of the most common noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) and mental and neurological health and substance use disorders, related risk factors and conditions and leads multi-sector and multi-stakeholder strategic and collaborative efforts aimed at strengthening Member States' capacity to promote and protect health through public policies, programs, and services. This will reduce risks and disease burden and contribute to improving the physical, mental and social well-being of the population.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Under the general supervision of the Director of Noncommunicable Diseases and Mental Health(NMH) and the direct supervision of the Unit Chief of Mental Health and Substance Use (NMH/MH), the incumbent is responsible for, but not necessarily limited to, the following duties:

a)   Provide technical, strategic advice and programmatic direction for the implementation of the program of work for mental health and suicide prevention; advise in the preparation and implementation of mental health suicide prevention policies, plans, legislation and services, as well as, the creation and dissemination of effective programs to decrease the burden of mental health disorders and suicide; collaborate in the strengthening of national mental health and suicide prevention programs with emphasis of health services and the inclusion of mental health and suicide prevention as a component of primary health care;

b)   Advise, support and coordinate the sub-regional technical cooperation programs/activities related to the development and implementation of national mental health and suicide prevention programs and services leading to the restructuring of the mental health systems in the English-speaking Caribbean countries and territories;

c)    Contribute to the process of collecting and disseminating updated scientific and evidence-based technical information; advise and support the development and implementation of comprehensive national mental health information systems and suicide surveillance; create reporting tools to monitor mental health and suicide prevention programs;

d)   Advise and participate in the analysis of the regional situation on mental health and suicide prevention; consolidate and disseminate information related to situations and trends in mental health and suicide prevention;

e)   Participate in discussions on mental health with governments, donors and other partners, at national and international levels, including civil society, in particular mental health services users and families;

f)    Support, promote, and strengthen national or international networks directed to improve and implement mental health and suicide prevention plans, programs and projects; participate in the coordination of Collaborating Centers in the field of mental health and suicide prevention;

g)   Provide advice, support and promote technical cooperation among countries in the field of mental health and suicide prevention;

h)   Collaborate in the preparation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the Organization’s Strategic Plan, emphasizing activities under the associated area of work strategic objectives; promote greater effectiveness of program activities and appropriate resources utilization; collect and consolidate regional information to respond to WHO’s requests for information;

i)     Mobilize international and national political, technical and financial resources and extra-budgetary funds in support of national and regional programs.

j)    Represent the Organization at national and regional technical meetings and in inter-agency consultations on areas of responsibility.

k)   Contribute to develop, define and establish the objectives, strategy, plan and budget for mental health and suicide prevention. Ensure an Organization-wide approach and strategies and objectives that are aligned with the Organization’s mission, vision, values, policies, strategies, business needs and priorities, in order to maximize results.

l)     Formulate and recommend policies, plans, strategies, and budgets, in support of the Governing Bodies’ mandates related to mental health and suicide prevention; report to Governing Bodies, through executive presentations and reports, on the status or results of the activities;

m)  Participate in the preparation of the Unit’s Biennial Work Plan (BWP), budget and technical evaluation reports;

n)   When called upon to directly supervise staff, establish clear work objectives, conduct timely and effective performance appraisals, provide coaching and feedback, and support staff development opportunities;

o)   Perform other related duties, as assigned.

About the role

This role will deliver high-quality research support within the Singer Lab, related to behavioural neuroscience. Research will look at how early life experiences impact the development of drug- and gambling-related addictions. 

The research is funded by the International Center for Responsible Gaming and is a collaboration with Prof Jeffrey Dalley (University of Cambridge, UK) and Dr Martin Zack (Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Canada). The Singer laboratory is also part of a vibrant multidisciplinary ‘Sussex Neuroscience’ research community.

We are looking for someone who will provide dedicated research technical support to our team, conducting activities like: 

• developing and performing behavioural experiments related to models of addiction in rats
• organising datasets and performing statistical analyses

• managing laboratory equipment, consumables, and other supplies

About you 

Qualified candidates should ideally have an honours degree in psychology neuroscience (or related life sciences discipline). Excellent communication and organisational skills, the ability to work collaboratively, while complying with both University and Legislative requirements are essential. Previous experience in performing the above-mentioned research and management related activities would be advantageous.