Research Translation Manager

Are you ready to help bring one of the most exciting new frontiers in mental health treatment to NHS patients? The Centre for Psychedelic Research (CPR) at Imperial College London is one of the world's leading institutions in psychedelic science — and we are now actively translating that research into NHS clinical services. This is a rare and genuinely pioneering opportunity to sit at the intersection of world-class science and real-world clinical impact, leading the work that will bring ketamine-assisted and psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy into publicly funded mental health care for the first time.

Working through our CIM-KeT programme— a partnership with Central and North West London (CNWL) NHS Foundation Trust — you will be the primary bridge between CPR's research expertise and the NHS systems that must ultimately deliver these therapies at scale.

What you would be doing

• You will lead the translational work of the Centre for Psychedelic Research at a senior level. Your work will span four interconnected areas:
• You will identify and establish NHS pilot sites— conducting readiness assessments, co-designing clinical service models with NHS partners, managing regulatory and governance approvals, and overseeing active pilot delivery against agreed milestones.
• You will support the establishment of clinical training infrastructure needed for safe and effective delivery — assisting with designing structured training programmes and competency frameworks for psychiatrists, psychologists, nurses and therapists working with ketamine-assisted and psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy.
• You will be the external face of the CIM-KeT programme— building and sustaining senior relationships with NHS Medical Directors, Directors of Therapies, Integrated Care Board leads, and NHS England stakeholders, and representing CPR at national forums and policy events.
• You will drive programme learning and future funding— coordinating evaluation of pilots, contributing to academic outputs, and supporting funding applications to NIHR, UKRI, and Wellcome Trust with robust implementation evidence.

This is a part-time post (0.5 FTE, 17.5 hours per week), offering significant flexibility in how those hours are structured around programme needs.

What we are looking for

• We are looking for an exceptional individual who combines deep specialist knowledge with the interpersonal skills and strategic drive to make things happen in complex systems. You will bring:
• Postgraduate-level expertise in a relevant discipline — psychology, psychotherapy, neuroscience, pharmacology, public health, nursing or a related field.
• Demonstrated experience of research translation— taking findings from academic or clinical trial settings into real-world health service contexts.
• Strong working knowledge of the NHS— its structure, commissioning architecture, and how new treatments are introduced into clinical pathways.
• A track record of senior stakeholder engagement— building productive relationships with NHS leadership, commissioners, or equivalent senior audiences.
• Proven project management capability— managing complex, multi-site programmes with multiple partners.
• Knowledge of the regulatory environment for novel therapeutics, including MHRA processes and — ideally — experience with controlled substances.
• Familiarity with psychedelic or ketamine research— knowledge of the evidence base and the specific clinical, ethical and regulatory considerations involved.
• Experience of clinical training programme design.

Above all, we are looking for someone who is genuinely motivated by the opportunity to change how mental health is treated in the NHS — and who has the skills, credibility and tenacity to make that happen.

What we can offer you

• The opportunity to lead genuinely pioneering work at the cutting edge of mental health science and NHS implementation.
• A position within one of the world's top ten universities, embedded in a world-leading research centre with an international reputation in psychedelic science.
• Close collaboration with a passionate, multidisciplinary team of researchers, clinicians, and NHS partners who are collectively committed to changing mental health treatment.
• Benefit from a sector-leading salary and remuneration package (including 41 days’ annual leave and generous pension schemes).
• Access to a range of workplace benefits including a flexible working policy from day one, generous family leave packages, on-site leisure facilities and cycle-to-work scheme.
• Interest-free season ticket loan schemes for travel.
• Be part of a diverse, inclusive and collaborative work culture with various staff networks and resources to support your personal and professional wellbeing.

This is a part-time (17.5 hours per week), fixed-term post for 48 months (4 years). The Centre for Psychedelic Research is based at the Hammersmith Campus, the role may involve travel to NHS partner sites across London and nationally.

If you require any further details about the role, please contact: David Erritzoe — d.erritzoe@imperial.ac.uk.

Please note that job descriptions are not exhaustive, and you may be asked to take on additional duties that align with the key responsibilities mentioned above.

We reserve the right to close the advert prior to the closing date stated, should we receive a high volume of applications. It is therefore advisable that you submit your application as early as possible to avoid disappointment.

If you encounter any technical issues while applying online, please don't hesitate to email us at support.jobs@imperial.ac.uk. We're here to help.

About Imperial

Welcome to Imperial, a global top-ten university where scientific imagination leads to world-changing impact. Join us and be part of something bigger. From global health to climate change, AI to business leadership, here at Imperial we navigate some of the world’s toughest challenges. Whatever your role, your contribution will have a lasting impact.

As a member of our vibrant community of 22,000 students and 8,000 staff, you’ll collaborate with passionate minds across nine London campuses and a global network. This is your chance to help shape the future. We hope you’ll join us at Imperial College London.

Our Culture

We work towards equality of opportunity, to eliminating discrimination, and to creating an inclusive working environment for all. We encourage applications from all backgrounds, communities and industries, and are committed to employing a team that has diverse skills, experiences and abilities.

Proud signatory of the Armed Forces Covenant. We welcome applications from the Armed Forces community. Our values are at the root of everything we do, and everyone in our community is expected to demonstrate respect, collaboration, excellence, integrity, and innovation.