IMPERIAL COLLEGE LONDON
JOB DESCRIPTION
Job Title:
Research Associate (SM042-13)
Division:
Surgery
Department:
Surgery and Cancer
Job Family/Level:
Academic and Research Family, Level B
Salary Range:
£28,200 – £32,100 per annum
Responsible to:
Dr Karen Kerr, Mr Dave Taylor, and Professor Ara Darzi
Key working relationships:
Members of the Imperial College Centre for Health Policy (and the
Institute of Global Health Innovation) and Division of Surgery,
MoreLife UK Ltd (Leeds Metropolitan University) and Grace Eyre
Foundation (Charitable Trust)
Contract:
Full time and fixed term for 1 year (April 1st 2013 – March 31st
2014)
Location:
The work will be carried out at Imperial College London at South
Kensington and St Mary’s Campus (Paddington), at the Grace
Eyre Foundation and in other premises where subjects may be
located
Summary of Research Project:
NICE guidelines state that obesity treatment needs to include strategies to increase
people's physical activity levels, improve eating behaviour and reduce energy intake.
Lifestyle coaching sessions including education and physical activities are often
delivered to groups in local community centres and schools. However, some of the most
severely affected members of society do not have cost-effective access to these lifechanging treatments because they find travel difficult or impossible. So here we propose
to use technology deployed 'in the wild' to help housebound obese individuals. We know
that there is much to be gained from engaging overweight and obese individuals in
moderate physical activity. Even small improvements in this group could greatly enhance
their wellbeing and personal health so one of our goals will be to see how much impact
we can make on an individual's ability to engage in everyday activities.
The Purpose of the Post:
To undertake the recruitment and selection of subjects, the deployment and supervision
of the technologies, experimental data collection and analysis. This will involve working
with the project partners, MoreLife and Grace Eyre Foundation, technology providers
and Imperial staff overseeing the research, as well as directly with the research subjects
in their own homes or other premises where the interventions can be delivered.
Key Responsibilities:
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Plan and carry out research in accordance with the project aims and timeframes, in
collaboration with members of the Centre for Health Policy, Division of Surgery, More
Life and Grace Eyre Foundation
Maintain accurate and complete records of all research, development and findings
Contribute to the writing of research reports and peer-reviewed journal articles
Disseminate results through publications and present findings at research meetings
and conferences
Develop scientific background, specialist knowledge and scientific contacts
Provide advice and guidance to other members of the departments, when necessary
Assist with the writing of reports to research sponsors
In addition to research, assist with teaching duties as required
Promote the reputation of the Group, the Department and the College
Other Duties:
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Undertake appropriate administration tasks
Attend relevant meetings
Observe and comply with all College policies and regulations, including the key
policies and procedures on Confidentiality, Conflict of Interest, Data Protection,
Equal Opportunities, Financial Regulations, Health and Safety, Imperial Expectations
(for new leaders, managers and supervisors), Information Technology, Private
Engagements and Register of Interests, and Smoking
Undertake specific safety responsibilities relevant to individual roles, as set out on
the College Website Health and Safety Structure and Responsibilities page
(http://www3.imperial.ac.uk/safety/policies/organisationandarrangements)
Undertake any necessary training and/or development
Any other duties commensurate with the grade of the post as directed by line
manager / supervisor
Job descriptions cannot be exhaustive and so the post holder may be required to
undertake other duties, which are broadly in line with the above key
responsibilities.
Imperial College is committed to equality of opportunity and to eliminating
discrimination. All employees are expected to adhere to the principles set out in
our Equal Opportunities in Employment Policy, Promoting Race Equality Policy
and Disability Policy and all other relevant guidance/practice frameworks.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Qualifications:
Essential
 PhD or equivalent in a relevant discipline (awarded, or about to complete)
Knowledge and Experience:
Essential
Relevant experience and a record of achievement in relevant research fields, including:
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Behavioural Psychology
Virtual Worlds
Both qualitative and quantitative research methods
Use of Information Technology by experimental subjects
Strong background in statistical methods
Experience in managing large integrated projects
Skills and Abilities:
Essential
 Ability to write small software programs, as well good working knowledge of
relevant software such as Second Life, Open Simulator and Unity 3D
 Ability to carry out research in Behavioural Psychology including both qualitative
and quantitative methods
 Ability to carry out research in immersive environments
 High level of analytical capability
 High level of practical capability, including information technology skills
 Ability to meet project deadlines
 Ability to prioritise jobs and organise work effectively to meet deadlines
 Ability to communicate complex information clearly and succinctly
 Strong inter-personal skills and the ability to communicate with scientists and
researchers from a variety of disciplines
 Ability to present themselves at conferences and seminars with authority and
coherence.
 Excellent written communication skills and the ability to write technical reports
and academic papers clearly and succinctly for publication
 Ability to manage own area effectively using compliance with health and safety
policy and College procedures
 Ability to exercise initiative and work independently, and to provide accurate and
appropriate experimental research methodology, working as part of a multidisciplinary team and independently
Personal Attributes:
Essential
 Willingness to work as part of a team and to be open-minded and cooperative
 Flexible attitude towards work
 Discipline and regard for confidentiality and security at all times
 Willingness to undertake any necessary training for the role
 Willingness to travel both within the United Kingdom and abroad to conduct
research and attend conferences
Other:
Essential
As this post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974, a satisfactory
(enhanced) Disclosure and Barring Service check will be required for the successful
candidate. Further information about the DBS disclosure process can be found at
http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/agencies-public-bodies/dbs/ or by telephoning 0870 90 90
811. You may also wish to view the College’s policy statements on the Recruitment and
Employment of Ex-Offenders and the Secure Storage, Use, Retention & Disposal of
Disclosures and Disclosure Information.
APPLICATION GUIDANCE
Please read the person specification carefully and describe, as part of your application,
how much you feel you meet each of the criteria.
If you attach a CV it should include the following information:
Applicant’s full name, private address and private telephone number
A confidential fax number and e-mail address, where possible
Degrees (including University and dates)
Past and present posts
List of publications
Brief description of future research plans
Names, addresses and, email, fax numbers, of three referees.
Thank you for your interest in this post. We look forward to receiving your application.