Research Assistant Autism - University of Cambridge

Vacancy Reference Number

RN18193

Closing Date

10 Mar 2019

Salary

£26,243 to £30,395

Address

Department Of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge

Duration

Fixed term until 14 January 2024 in the first instance

We are looking to appoint a Research Assistant to manage recruitment of participants into The Autism Genome Cohort- UK study (AGC-UK). The AGC-UK aims to investigate the genetic and environmental contributors to mental and physical health in a cohort of 10,000 autistic individuals and their families in the UK. 

These will also be part of a large genetic association study of 100,000 autistic people worldwide, with the aim of understanding the role of common genetic variants in the biology of autism and associated traits. This study is funded by the Wellcome Trust and the Autism Research Trust. 

The appointee will be responsible for recruitment of participants and data collection, organise bio-sample collection, developing the ethical and logistical framework, and contribute to the production of research reports and publications. The appointee will also be involved in public-patient involvement activity and supporting a social-media based recruitment campaign. 

The appointee will work with the Director, the Project Coordinator of the AGC-UK, Research Associates, and other members of the Autism Research Centre (ARC). The role entails liaising with teams at the University of Cambridge (led by Professors Simon Baron-Cohen and David Rowitch), the Wellcome Sanger Institute (led by Professor Matthew Hurles and Dr Hilary Martin), and UCLA (led by Professor Dan Geschwind), along with autism charities and other stakeholders. The appointee will also work closely with the research coordinator appointed for this study. 

Candidates must have previous experience in working in research projects and should hold a degree in Genetics, Psychology, or Neuroscience or a related science subject. Previous experience working with autistic individuals is desirable. The role holder will have good organizational and communication skills. 

The AGC-UK is explicitly anti-eugenics and views autism as both a difference and a disability but not a disease, although some associated symptoms (such as epilepsy or gastro-intestinal pain) are diseases. The AGC-UK also aims to understand the broad heterogeneity within autism that ranges from learning difficulties through to talent.

Informal enquiries may be directed to Paula Smith, pls28@medschl.cam.ac.uk 

Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available until 14 January 2024 in the first instance. 

This appointment requires a Research Passport application. 

To apply online for this vacancy and to view further information about the role, please visit:

http://www.jobs.cam.ac.uk/job/20450. This will take you to the role on the University’s Job Opportunities pages. There you will need to click on the 'Apply online' button and register an account with the University's Web Recruitment System (if you have not already) and log in before completing the online application form. 

The closing date is 10 March 2019, with interviews to be confirmed. 

Please ensure that you upload a covering letter and CV in the Upload section of the online application. If you upload any additional documents which have not been requested, we will not be able to consider these as part of your application. 

Please include details of your referees, including email address and phone number, one of which must be your most recent line manager. 

Please quote reference RN18193 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy. 

The University values diversity and is committed to equality of opportunity. 

The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.

Contact Details

Paula Smith: pls28@medschl.cam.ac.uk