Job description

The Department of Nutritional Sciences are seeking a highly motivated Research
Assistant to work on the Fluid @ Work Study. The project brings together the fields
of dietary assessment and workplace health and wellbeing. The aim of this project
is to develop and evaluate a fluid intake measurement tool for use in the UK
working population. The development of the tool will be of benefit to dietitians
and nutritionists working in workplaces and wider public health, researchers, and
the wider occupational health community.

The Research Assistant will be responsible for conducting a systematic review and
survey to identify current measurement tools used to estimate beverage/fluid
intake in workplace settings. The Research Assistant will liaise with key
stakeholders to assist in developing the candidate measurement tool to take
forward for testing. For the final stage of the project, the Research Assistant will
be responsible for the day-to day running of the evaluation study to test the
relative validity and reliability of the measurement tool. This will involve the
recruitment and screening of participants and undertaking study visits at the
Metabolic Research Unit in the Department of Nutritional Sciences as King’s
College London.

The Department of Nutritional Sciences at King’s College London consists of worldleading basic, applied and public health scientists, including nutritionists,
dietitians, clinicians, and epidemiologists whose aim is to understand the
mechanisms by which diet impacts health and disease and to translate these
findings to develop evidence-based strategies for optimising health and the
prevention and treatment of disease.

The post is part-time (0.5FTE) and fixed term until June 2022.

Contract Type
This post will be offered on an a fixed-term contract until 30th June 2022.
This is a part-time post – 50% full time equivalent

Key responsibilities

• To conduct a systematic review to characterise current measurement
  tools used to measure hydration and/or fluid intake in the workplace
  under the guidance of the investigators.
• Co-ordination and recruitment of volunteers to the study; including
  the screening and monitoring of study participants.
• Assist with ensuring all data is carefully and promptly collated and
  entered into the database throughout the study and that records and
  samples are properly kept and audited
• Engage in research and produce written research outputs, as set out
  in the research proposal and as agreed with the study Investigators
• To help plan, coordinate and report project meetings within King’s
  and externally with project partners (British Dietetic Association
  Work Ready Committee)
• Order supplies for investigations and other materials associated with
  the project.
• Communicate effectively with study participants, the study
  investigators and project collaborators.
• To assist in preparing project progress reports and presentations
• To help disseminate project information to key stakeholders through
  a variety of methods including newsletters, blog posts, websites,
  teleconferences
• To assist in writing journal articles for publication in high quality,
  peer-reviewed journals and to give presentations at scientific
  conferences and internal or external meetings.
• Plan own day-to-day research activity within the framework of the
  agreed programme
• Make use of standard research techniques and methods
• Co-ordinate own work with that of others to avoid conflict or
  duplication of effort
• Attend and contribute to relevant meetings, including Diet and
  Cardiovascular Health Research Group meetings and seminars in the
  Diabetes & Nutritional Sciences Division
• Assist in the supervision of student projects
• Carry out tasks that require the learning of certain skills
• Required to be aware of the risks in the work environment

The post-holder will be expected to carry out any additional duties as may
reasonably be required within the general scope and level of the post.
Skills, knowledge, and experience

Essential criteria

• BSc in Dietetics or Nutritional Science
• HCPC Registered Dietitian (UK) or Registered Nutritionist
• Proficiency in using Microsoft Word, Excel, email, internet, and other
  academic research-related software, e.g. SPSS, referencing software
• Understanding of principles of nutrition assessment using dietary records,
  food frequency questionnaires, dietary screening tools
• Ability to work as part of a research team
• Ability to write reports and manuscripts in English
• Ability to interact well with colleagues and members of the public
• Good time management skills
• Ability to take initiative to solve technical and logistical problems
• Flexible approach to working
  Desirable criteria
• MSc or equivalent in Dietetics or Nutritional Science
• Experience of conducting systematic reviews
• Experience running human studies (recruitment, screening, data
  management)
• Evidence of previous scholarly activity (e.g. presenting at conferences, writing
  for peer reviewed journals)
• Management of data and statistical analysis