IMPERIAL COLLEGE LONDON
JOB DESCRIPTION
Job Title:
Research Assistant / Associate
Department:
Surgery and Cancer
Division:
Surgery - Vascular Surgery Research Group
Job Family/Level:
Research and Education (level of appointment will be dependent
on qualifications and experience) Level A - Research Assistant/
Level B - Research Associate
Salary Range:
Level A - £26,720 - 29,700
Level B - £26,720 - £33,080 per annum (pro-rata if part-time)
Contract:
Full time for 6 months from August 2010 in the first instance
(part-time 4 days/week possible).
Reporting to:
Professor Janet T. Powell, Dr Louise Brown and Dr Pinar Ulug
Accountable to:
Head of Vascular Research Group/ Head of Department
Key Working Relationships: Vascular Surgery Research Group, Imperial Clinical
Trials Unit
(internal):
Administrative and clinical staff in the Division of Surgery at
Imperial College.
Location:
Based at Charing Cross Hospital located in Hammersmith with
visits to other trial hospitals
Summary of work area:
The Vascular Surgery Research Group, based at the Charing Cross Hospital campus
in West London has hosted several multi-centre randomised trials for treatments in
vascular surgery, most recently the endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) trials for
comparison of elective treatments for large abdominal aortic aneurysms (see New
England Journal of Medicine 2010) and earlier the UK Small Aneurysm Trial, about
the best management of small abdominal aortic aneurysms (see Lancet 1998). The
Group has a medical statistician and others experienced in clinical trial management
and systematic reviews of the evidence available for practices in vascular surgery.
There are close links with the Imperial College Clinical Trials Unit.
Summary of post:
We now have funding from the National Institute of Health Research for 3 projects on
the management of abdominal aortic aneurysm.
The job will include maintaining data-bases and assisting in the preparation of reports
for systematic reviews of the management of small abdominal aortic aneurysm,
assisting with the general administration of a trial of endovascular repair of ruptured
abdominal aortic aneurysm (IMPROVE www.improvetrial.org) and assisting with the
start up of a trial to evaluate the effectiveness of drugs to slow aneurysm growth
(AARDVARK trial). This post will provide an introduction to clinical trial methodology
for both device and drug trials as well as other methods for obtaining clinical
evidence.
The post holder will be expected to work closely with colleagues from the Imperial
College Clinical Trials Unit based at St Mary’s Hospital, particularly for the set up of
the AARDVARK trial. Further opportunities for a dedicated role in the AARDVARK
trial are likely to be advertised during the course of this post.
The post is “office-based” and the applicants must have good written, verbal, IT and
organisational skills.
Key responsibilities:

To assist Dr P Ulug with the preparation of site files and other documentation
for the IMPROVE trial for ruptured aneurysms

General administration for the IMPROVE trial

To assist in the start up of the new trial (AARDVARK)

To maintain a research reference data-base for the evidence synthesis
project RESCAN

To help in the preparation of reports and publications

To assist establishing and maintaining trial web sites

To keep abreast of changing practices & regulations for the practice of clinical
trials

Commitment to continuing personal development and training

To comply with relevant College policies, including Financial Regulations,
Equal Opportunities Policy, Promoting Race Equality Policy, Health and
Safety Policy, Information Systems Security Policy and Intellectual Property
Rights and Register of Interests Policies
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.
The post holder is expected to observe and comply with all College policies
and regulations, for example Health and Safety, Data Protection etc.
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 for appointment at Level A
 Degree or equivalent professional health qualification
Essential for appointment at Level B
 PhD of equivalent professional health qualification
Experience:
Essential
 Working to protocol
 Report writing
Desirable
 Experience of evidence based medicine
 Previous research experience
 Working with Reference Manager
 Experience of aortic imaging
Skills and Abilities:
Essential
 Excellent technical skills: IT literate, PC compatible applications
 Ability to work independently and as part of a team
 Ability to communicate effectively with other researchers
 Excellent personal and organisation skills
 Ability to prioritise own work in response to deadlines
 Excellent accuracy and attention to detail
Desirable
 Data base management
 Ultrasonography or vascular technology
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.