Inkfish Research Scientist (Medical) in Physical Activity Interventions during Pregnancy

About the role

The post holder of Research Scientist (Medical) on the EMBRACE programme led by Professor Josip Car focuses on physical activity interventions during pregnancy. There remain gaps in evidence and unanswered research questions related to physical activity and exercise during pregnancy spanning physiological, psychological, social, and clinical domains. This highlights the need for comprehensive interdisciplinary research to understand how to optimise physical activity recommendations. The post holder will contribute to the design, delivery, evaluation, and dissemination of intervention strategies aimed at promoting safe, sustainable physical activity among pregnant individuals.

This post offers an exciting opportunity to work within an interdisciplinary team in maternal health, exercise science, digital health and population health, and to make a real-world impact on clinical practice and public health policy. The post holder is expected to collaborate with colleagues, present findings at conferences, publish research, and co-supervise project students, ensuring the project’s success and broader scientific impact.

The post holder is expected to hold a medical degree (MD, MBBS, or similar) but not required to be clinically active or GMC registered.

This is a full-time post (35 hours per week), and you will be offered an fixed term contract until 10/05/2029.

Research staff at King’s are entitled to at least 10 days per year (pro-rata) for professional development. This entitlement, from the Concordat to Support the Career Development of Researchers, applies to Postdocs, Research Assistants, Research and Teaching Technicians, Teaching Fellows and AEP equivalent up to and including grade 7. Visit the Centre for Research Staff Development for more information.

About You

To be successful in this role, we are looking for candidates to have the following skills and experience:

Essential criteria

• Undergraduate medical degree
• Knowledge of pregnancy-specific guidelines for physical activity
• Experience in physical activity research and/or interventions during pregnancy or related populations
• Good effective communication (both oral and written) skills, including research papers and reports, and presentations at conferences
• Experience of writing research reports and papers accessible to both academic and lay audiences
• Experience of evaluating digital health interventions such as apps or use of smartwatches and other wearables and synthesizing evidence from multiple sources
• Project management skills - ability to initiate, plan, organise, implement and deliver programmes of work to tight deadlines
• Evidence of a commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion, actively addressing areas of potential bias when engaging with public, patient, or community groups

Desirable criteria

• PhD in relevant field
• Experience with evaluation of wearable physical activity monitors and measurement tools
• Experience with Patient and Public Involvement
• Highly data-driven approach to problem-solving and decision-making