Edinburgh Imaging

20 Sept 17. Research Assistant(041053)

This is an exceptional opportunity for candidates who have relevant clinical research experience on sleep and/or neurodegenerative diseases.

Research Assistant in Sleep Disorders and Neurodegeneration

This is an excellent opportunity to join a vibrant team at the University of Edinburgh studying sleep and neurological diseases. The Research Assistant will work on several studies in sleep disorders, primarily supporting the Sleep Research team with data collection and patient recruitment for an international study of sleep apnoea and small vessel diseases funded by the Fondation Leducq Transatlantic Network of Excellence in Perivascular Spaces in Small Vessel Diseases.

The post is based in the Sleep Research Unit, Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences and will be linked with the Small Vessel Diseases Research Group and UK Dementia Research Institute at the University of Edinburgh.

Candidates will have a Masters level training in Neurosciences, Psychology or a related subject and experience relevant to clinical research on sleep and/or neurodegenerative diseases.

Job Purpose

To provide research assistance for studies of sleep disorder and neurological diseases taking place in the Sleep Research Unit and Brain Research Imaging Centre, Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, and Dementia Research Institute at the University of Edinburgh. The research includes studies of sleep disorder and cerebral small vessel diseases detected on brain imaging funded through the Fondation Leducq and nested in the UK Dementia Research Institute, University of Edinburgh. The candidate will be expected to have a working knowledge of sleep medicine, polysomnography, clinical studies recruitment, ethics applications, statistics and database management. This post is fulltime and for a period of 2 years with possibility of extension.

Main Responsibilities

  1. Recruit subjects and collect research data from participating patients using a range of clearly defined research methods. Co-ordinate investigations with other members of the research team. Specifically, support the work of the Sleep Research team with data collection and patient recruitment for the Fondation Leducq study of sleep apnoea and small vessel diseases. Support other ongoing trials in the Sleep Research Unit. 60 %

  2. Enter data accurately into study databases and conduct analyses of research data through the application of clearly specified techniques and/or models. Use statistical software to create and maintain various sleep-related databases as well as obtaining ethical permissions. 20 %

  3. Collation and writing up of research data and preparing reports of data findings. Present data at group meetings and section meetings to make data available for other workers. Report regularly on the progress of the research to the PI/other members of the research team including collaborators elsewhere. Student supervision is integral to this role, as well as assistance with grant writing. 20 %

Application details

The post is funded for 2 years in the first instance.

For further information please contact – rriha1@exseed.ed.ac.uk or joanna.wardlaw@ed.ac.uk .

The role is grade UE06 and attracts an annual salary of £27,285 to £31,604 per annum for 35 hours each week.

Closing Date: 27th September 2017

For full job description and to submit an application visit our website www.vacancies.ed.ac.uk.  Ref:  041053