In partnership with the Blind Veterans UK, Circadian Therapeutics is running a survey to identify sleep and circadian disruption experienced by vision impaired individuals in order to provide informed feedback to the Visually Impaired UK community about living with sleep and circadian disruption.

We are looking for a Research Technician on a Casual contract basis to provide support in the data collection of the Sleep and Circadian Health study (see www.circadiantherapeutics.com/blind-veterans-study/ for further information).

Our study will take place at the Blind Veterans UK Residential Care Facility in Ovingdean. The role includes regular administration of cognitive tests, set up of PSG (polysomnography), assist in the collection of saliva samples, preparation of participant meals (pre-prepared), and general monitoring of participants during testing periods. Technicians will also be required to assist in processing blood samples to extract PBMCs according to a detailed protocol. 

All training is provided for all aspects of the study and staff are supervised at all times - so while some experience is ideal, particularly in a wet-lab setting, it’s not essential. This is a unique experience to get some insight into what is involved in human research studies. Individuals who have an interest in research or would like to understand more about what is involved in a career in research would be prioritised (please mention this when you apply).

The study will run during the week as well as some weekends and the role will include both day and night shifts. For this reason we are looking for individuals that are based in the Brighton area.

Responsibilities and duties:

• Interact with participants prior to and throughout the study
• Assistance in data collection during day and night shifts at the Blind Veterans UK Brighton Centre. The study may be expanded to the Llandudno Centre.
• Learn the study protocol and monitor adherence to protocols by study participants
• Handling and sampling of biological samples (including blood, saliva, and urine) according to standard procedures may be required (all training provided)
• Participant set up for polysomnography assessment - EEG/ECG/EMG etc (training provided)
• Administer cognitive tests to participants during the study
• Identify any problems with protocol compliance and notify principal investigator and/or postdoctoral fellow
• Data entry and data cleaning

To succeed in this role you will need:

• Hold a relevant bachelor’s degree in the Biomedical Sciences or Psychology
• Excellent communication skills, including the ability to communicate effectively with research participants
• Ability to travel to data collection sites and undertake night shifts
• Working knowledge of computerized data processing (word processing, spreadsheets and database) required
• Ability to work independently and as a team member
  

The following skills would be advantageous but are not essential as full training will be given:

• Current wet-lab experience (highly desirable)
  
• Previous experience working on research studies
• Previous experience working with the Vision Impaired population 
  

Research Technicians will be supervised and directed by study coordinators Dr Suzanne Ftouni and Dr Iona Alexander.

• Please view the Research Assistant Job Description document (opens in a pop up)