Job Description

This is an exciting opportunity for an enthusiastic and motivated individual with a research record and interest in diabetes, particularly in younger adults and pregnancy, to gain excellent research experience by contributing to research projects supported by NIHR and Diabetes UK, and to prepare new fellowship and other applications.



People with young onset type 2 diabetes historically have been an overlooked group, despite their increased risks of morbidity and mortality. Research in the department focuses on designing and implementing novel models of care that improve outcomes for young people with diabetes, including during pregnancy.



The postholder will work with Dr. Dulmini Kariyawasam and Dr. Anna Brackenridge to support existing research activity, including recruiting patients to clinical research studies, supporting data collection and helping with data analysis. They will liaise with other centres involved in research collaboration. They will assist in identifying and applying for further funding to carry the work forward, undertaking data and literature review, working in collaboration with academics/researchers at Kings College London and across the ARC. The post-holder will work on improving care for people with diabetes, engaging with young and pregnant people with diabetes, preparing and implementing innovative models of care and decision support tools and promoting effective self-management.



The post provides an opportunity for the post-holder to hone their methodological skills and develop practical and theoretical research expertise. You will participate in all aspects of research, including development of protocols, application to ethics committees, focus groups, interviewing and data collection, analysis and reporting, wider engagement, liaison with clinical services and dissemination of research outputs.



The Department of Diabetes and Endocrinology is part of the Clinical Directorate of Medical Specialties, which sits within the Integrated and Specialist Medicine Clinical Group. The Diabetes and Endocrinology Department is an important element of local and tertiary medical services. It treats approximately 20,000 patients each year including many tertiary referrals for diabetes, lipid, obesity, metabolic and endocrine disorders. The clinics are accommodated in modern purpose-built Day Centres on both the Guy's and St. Thomas' sites. The Diabetes service also provides community-based clinics.



The Department has a very active and expanding research programme supported by our own research nurses and administrative staff and also the state of the art Clinical Research Facilities. We have very active clinical and translational research programmes including trials of peptide therapy to try to preserve beta cell function in type 1 diabetes and research into complications of diabetes particularly diabetic kidney and vascular complications and novel treatments for obesity. There is ongoing collaborative research developing innovative models of care for young people with diabetes, and trying to improve outcomes for women with diabetes in pregnancy.



Clinical research delivery



Contribute to the smooth running of existing clinical trials in the department: identifying participants, liaising with clinical team to ensure that trial protocol is adhered to, recording observation and assessments required according to the protocol.

Ensure that proposed patients for clinical trials are enrolled in accordance with unit standard operating procedure.

Participate in the informed consent process of all study types, acting as a resource and support to patients and their families.



Lead & take informed consent for observational research studies where appropriately trained and delegated.



Contribute to study data collection, for example by collecting clinical data, or by interviewing patients, carers, professionals and other relevant individuals, according to study protocol.



Data analysis



Manage and execute all delegated areas of project and literature reviews, keeping to agreed deadlines

Draft research reports and papers, including progress reports, final reports and publications, and update reporting databases

Maintain and update research datasets

Analysis of data using appropriate statistical and other packages e.g. SPSS, Excel

Contribute to the dissemination of study results, knowledge mobilisation and implementation of good practice.



Organisational



Liaise with funders, clinical staff at GSTT, academic colleagues at KCL, and collaborating organisations



Work flexibly and in collaboration with staff in relevant organisations involved in the projects

Participate in departmental staff meetings, seminars, appraisal and team building exercises and the general research quality and administrative duties within the department

Any other duties consistent with the grade of the post, as agreed with line managers. This may include undertaking ad hoc reports and representing the projects at meetings or conferences



Education and Training



Take responsibility for identifying personal training and educational needs within the context of the service and those identified during the appraisal process.



Attend national and international Investigator Meetings and conferences as required.



Disseminate research by assisting in the preparation of posters/research papers for meetings, conferences and publications.