Lancaster University Medical School is looking to employ an Accelerated Knowledge Transfer (AKT) Associate in Paediatric Addiction Healthcare for a three-month project in partnership with Change Grow Live. The aim of the project is to develop a guideline for the management of ketamine induced uropathy (KIU) in those under the age of 16 years old, to include coordination of hospital-based care with local community drug services, to ensure young people are effectively supported to reduce or stop ketamine use as part of their KIU treatment.
Change Grow Live is a UK social care and health charity delivering addiction services. It provides prevention, treatment and psychosocial services for individuals using substances, helping people change the direction of their lives, grow as individuals and live life to its full potential. See more at
Lancaster University Medical School is a leading medical school delivering excellence in undergraduate and post graduate teaching and research that impacts patient and public health outcomes locally, nationally and internationally. A WHO Collaborating Centre. The project will be supervised by Rachel Isba, Professor of Children and Young People's Health at Lancaster University.
This AKT Associate role presents an exceptional opportunity for the successful candidate to take on a deeply rewarding position while leading a project of real importance. You will be employed by Lancaster University and the project will be delivered by working collaboratively with the team at Change Grow Live. You will be based remotely with regular virtual meetings with both the academic and CGL supervisors, and will travel to visit CGL at Liverpool weekly throughout the project. At the end of the project, you'll meet with the team to deliver a dissemination event, sharing key outcomes and insights with relevant stakeholders.
We're looking for an excellent communicator, confident in cross-sector environments and can tailor their approach to suit a wide range of stakeholders. Your ability to engage effectively will be key to the successful delivery of this project. Experience of engagement within healthcare settings is essential, ideally gained through direct collaboration or research. Prior experience engaging with children and young people is highly desirable and welcomed, but not essential.
The ability to travel will support delivery of the project, but where this is not possible, flexible approaches will be implemented.
You will have, or be successfully pursuing, a master's degree or a PhD in a relevant discipline such as Psychology, Public Health or Urology, or have a primary medical qualification, e.g. MBChB.
This AKT project is funded by UKRI through Innovate UK. This programme has been designed to create short-term collaborations between a university and business to deliver a rapid and targeted intervention to accelerate the development of an innovation project, with potential for significant impact on the business. AKT projects are delivered by graduates who benefit from the opportunity to work on a strategically relevant project within industry, whilst receiving support and guidance from university academics. More information about the Accelerated Knowledge Transfer programme can be found at Accelerated Knowledge Transfer – Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (ktp-).
This is a full-time role, offered as a fixed-term contract for three months.
The post is off-scale and we can pay up to £42,000 per annum for the 13 week post.
The role could be considered as a secondment opportunity for existing LU staff.
Due to funding requirements, you must be available to commence employment on the project no later than 10th November 2025.
The post is currently subject to funding granted by Innovate UK / UKRI. Approval will be confirmed in October 2025
Please contact Professor Rachel Isba at if you would like further information.
We warmly welcome applicants from all sections of the community regardless of their age, religion, gender identity or expression, race, disability or sexual orientation, and are committed to promoting diversity, and equality of opportunity.