Lecturer in Psychology as Applied to Dentistry

at  Kings College London

Job id: 086309. Salary: £51,974 - £61,021 per annum, including London Weighting Allowance.
Posted: 14 March 2024. Closing date: 11 April 2024.
Business unit: Dentistry, Oral & Craniofacial Sciences. Department: Oral Clinical & Translational Science.
Contact details: Tim Newton. Tim.newton@kcl.ac.uk
Location: Guy’s Campus. Category: Academic & Teaching.
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Job description
Within the Centre for Oral, Clinical and Translational Sciences (COCTS) of the Faculty of Dentistry, Oral & Craniofacial Sciences at King’s College London, there has existed a group of psychologists working in the field of the application of psychological theory to the study of dentistry for over 30 years.
Historically the areas of research focus for the team have been:
Interventions to reduce dental anxiety and chronic oro-facial pain
Interventions to support behaviour change in dental settings
Understanding the mechanisms of early recognition of cancer
The team have a record of international excellence in the field of psychology as applied to dentistry, including research, teaching, knowledge exchange and impact.
The Faculty now wish to explore the possibility of expanding the scope of work to include collaborations with Health psychologists across King’s College London, most notably within the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience (https://www.kcl.ac.uk/research/health-psychology-section):
The biopsychosocial processes underlying adaptation and symptom management in long-term conditions
Digital health technologies
Interventions for the management of long term conditions
We are looking to appoint an individual to play a key role in developing and executing internationally leading research as an independent investigator and through collaborative working. The successful candidate will have a strong research track record relevant to one or more of the areas listed and have experience of leading interdisciplinary activities and will work towards establishing a research program that attracts external funding to support your research in line with the expectations of a probationary Lecturer.
The postholder will contribute to educational programmes within the faculty, including both undergraduate and postgraduate taught courses.
We particularly encourage applicants who have experience of excellence in science communication who can support the Centre’s translational agenda and Impact activities.
This post will be offered on an indefinite contract.
This is a full-time position (job sharing will be considered).
Key responsibilities
Undertake nationally and internationally leading research & maintain a consistently high-level output of publications and presentations, in a field of health psychology complementary to the current strengths within King’s College London.
Work towards developing an independent, peer reviewed research programme in the field of health psychology.
Attract external funding to support both individual and collaborative-led research consistent with strategies set out in faculties’ expectations of lecturers.
Supervise postdoctoral research staff and PhD students to ensure their effective development.
Build and maintain international and world-leading collaborations as relevant to the research field.
Engage in multidisciplinary research in collaboration with other research groups in the faculty and the wider KCL community.
Contribute to teaching of undergraduate and postgraduate students in the faculty and more widely at KCL including designing teaching material, using appropriate teaching, learning support and assessment methods. In particular be able to contribute to the delivery of the undergraduate dental curricula in areas including promoting health behaviour change and maintenance, and healthcare communication.
Act as personal tutor to undergraduate and/or postgraduate students.
Contribute to teaching-related activities such as setting and marking examinations.
Undertake or update professional skills as appropriate and relevant in support of teaching excellence.
Play a full role in administration by contributing at meetings and volunteering to help with committees and projects.
Sit on appropriate centre and faculty committees and contribute to the welfare of the college and the academic community.
Assist in creating and maintaining a positive workplace culture.
*The above list of responsibilities may not be exhaustive, and the post holder will be required to undertake such tasks and responsibilities as may reasonably be expected within the scope and grading of the post. *
Skills, knowledge, and experience

Essential criteria

• Registration with the HCPC as a Practitioner Psychologist.
• PhD or equivalent in one of the following areas: Interventions to promote and maintain health-related behaviour; interventions for dental anxiety and/or pain management; the biopsychosocial processes underlying adaptation and symptom management in long-term conditions; digital health technologies; interventions for the management of long term conditions.
• Experience of postdoctoral level research.
• Record of publication of high-quality research outputs in peer reviewed academic journals.
• Experience of grant application for research projects; early evidence of securing external or internal grant income.
• Experience of training and supervision of undergraduate and/or masters students.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Commitment to promoting and maintaining a positive workplace culture.
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Ability to communicate complex ideas to a wide range of audiences.

Desirable criteria

• Evidence of supervision of postgraduate research students.
• Evidence of experience and innovation in science communication.
• Experience of interdisciplinary research.

Further information
For further information candidates are invited to contact Tim Newton ( tim.newton@kcl.ac.uk), Professor of Psychology as Applied to Dentistry.

Please refer the Job description for details