Clinical Trial Psychologist - #2176290

Job Title: Clinical Trial Psychologist / Clinical Scale Rater

Department: Clinical Research

Reports To: Principal Investigator / Clinical Trial Site Manager

Location: Speke, Liverpool

Employment Type: Part-time (20 hours per week). For 12 month contract with possibility of extending further 12 months.

Saraly: £34,750 per year (pro rata)

Job Summary

We are seeking a detail-oriented and reliable Clinical Trial Psychologist to join our clinical research team in a dedicated rater role. The successful candidate will be responsible for administering, scoring, and documenting standardized clinical rating scales in accordance with clinical trial protocols, assessment manuals, and applicable Good Clinical Practice (GCP) requirements.

The role will focus primarily on the assessment of participants in clinical trials involving psychiatric and psychological conditions, with particular emphasis on the Montgomery–Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) and other study-specific clinical outcome assessments.

The postholder will ensure accurate, consistent, and objective ratings, maintain appropriate inter-rater reliability, and contribute to the quality and integrity of clinical trial data. The role does not involve independent diagnosis, treatment, or clinical management of participants.

Key Responsibilities

• Administer and score the MADRS and other protocol-specified psychological or psychiatric rating scales in accordance with standardized assessment procedures.
• Conduct structured or semi-structured clinical interviews as required by the relevant rating instruments and study protocols.
• Complete assessments at scheduled study visits and within protocol-defined visit windows.
• Maintain consistency, objectivity, and reliability in scoring, minimizing assessment bias and inter-rater variability.
• Complete all required scale-specific training, certification, and calibration exercises before conducting assessments, where applicable.
• Accurately document ratings, assessment findings, and relevant observations in source documents and electronic data capture systems, as required.
• Ensure that all assessments are completed in accordance with the approved protocol, assessment manuals, and study-specific instructions.
• Identify and promptly report missing information, scoring discrepancies, and data inconsistencies to the appropriate study team members.
• Maintain up-to-date training records and comply with study-specific requirements for rater qualification and ongoing competency.
• Communicate any clinically significant observations, deterioration in mental state, or potential participant safety concerns to the Principal Investigator or designated clinician in accordance with site procedures.
• Maintain participant confidentiality and adhere to applicable data protection requirements, research ethics, and GCP standards.
• Collaborate with the Principal Investigator, Clinical Research Coordinators, and other site personnel to support the timely and accurate completion of clinical assessments.

Essential Qualifications and Experience

• Degree in Psychology, Clinical Psychology, or a related discipline appropriate to the study requirements and applicable regulations.
• BPS membership.
• Previous experience administering and scoring standardized psychological or psychiatric rating scales.
• Familiarity with the MADRS and its standardized administration and scoring methodology.
• Understanding of clinical trial procedures, research documentation, and participant confidentiality.
• Ability to conduct structured clinical interviews in a neutral, consistent, and non-leading manner.
• Strong attention to detail, organizational skills, and commitment to data quality.
• Good communication and interpersonal skills when interacting with clinical trial participants.

Desirable Qualifications and Experience

• Previous experience working as a rater in clinical trials, particularly in depression or other psychiatric indications.
• Experience with additional clinical rating scales, such as the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D), Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A), Clinical Global Impression (CGI), or other instruments relevant to the study.
• Previous completion of MADRS-specific or other clinical outcome assessment training and certification, where required by the sponsor.
• Current GCP training and familiarity with clinical research quality standards.
• Experience using electronic data capture systems and electronic source documentation.

Role Boundaries

This is a dedicated clinical assessment and rating position. The postholder will:

• Administer and score only those rating scales for which they have received appropriate training and authorization.
• Follow the study protocol and applicable assessment manuals without independently modifying assessment procedures.
• Avoid providing treatment recommendations or making independent clinical management decisions as part of the rater role.
• Escalate safety concerns and clinically significant findings to the Principal Investigator or appropriately qualified clinician.
• Undertake clinical assessments only within their competence, delegated responsibilities, and applicable professional and regulatory requirements.

Reporting and Supervision

The Clinical Trial Psychologist – Rater will report to the Principal Investigator or designated clinical research lead and will work closely with the clinical research team to ensure high-quality, protocol-compliant clinical outcome assessments.

The primary objective of this role is to deliver reliable, standardized, and high-quality clinical rating-scale data to support the scientific integrity of clinical trials.