Job Opportunities

Fixed Term - 1 year

The Autism Research Centre in the Department of Psychiatry invite clinical psychologists/psychiatrists with expertise in autism to join The Autism GP Diagnosis Study (PI: Prof. Baron-Cohen).

There are currently long waiting times to access autism assessments in the NHS. Without a diagnosis, many autistic people may struggle at school, work and home and may experience mental health problems.

We want to test whether GPs can diagnose autism within a primary care setting. If successful, this could identify a faster pathway for autism diagnosis, helping autistic people to access support earlier. Study participants will be assessed for autism by their GP, before undergoing a comprehensive diagnostic assessment with a specialist clinician. We will compare GPs' diagnostic decisions to those of specialist clinicians to evaluate the accuracy of autism diagnosis by GPs.

The specialist research clinician will conduct clinical assessments of study participants with suspected autism to determine whether the participants meet DSM-5 criteria for autism. Successful candidates must have an available clinical room and capacity to assess up to 3 study participants per week in person. Clinicians will provide brief written reports for each assessment. The assignment will be for the duration of the study. Payment will be made on a per-complete assessment basis at a rate of £750.

Essential Criteria:

• Clinical experience in the assessment of autism in either or both children and adults.
• Experience in assessing at least 100 autistic patients, demonstrating proficiency in clinical evaluation and diagnostic assessment.
• Expertise in using diagnostic tools for autism assessment, specifically the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS), Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised (ADI-R), or the Developmental, Dimensional, and Diagnostic Interview (3Di).
• Knowledge of current research and clinical guidelines on autism, including understanding of the diagnostic criteria outlined in DSM-5 and ICD-10.

Desirable Criteria:

• Ability to effectively manage participant assessments while adhering to research timelines and protocols.
• Previous experience working in a research study or clinical research environment.
• Familiarity with additional diagnostic tools and assessments for autism (e.g., sensory processing measures, social communication inventories).
• Experience working with diverse populations, including varying age groups and backgrounds, in both clinical and research settings

Submission Requirements:

Interested candidates should submit the following:

• A current CV detailing relevant experience, including the number of autism assessments performed and familiarity with the ADOS, ADI-R, or 3Di.
• A cover letter outlining the clinician's experience, skills, and interest in participating in the research study.
• Contact information for at least two professional references who can speak to the clinician's experience in assessing autism.

Application Details:

Informal queries should be directed to Dr Divyush Khemka at GPDiagnosisStudy@medschl.cam.ac.uk

Interested candidates should submit documentation requested to GPDiagnosisStudy@medschl.cam.ac.uk

Closing date of 11th May with interviews to be confirmed.

Please quote reference RN45759 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.

The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.

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

Please quote reference RN45759 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.

The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.

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