Clinical Research Fellow in Neurology

Job responsibilities

WHAT YOULL DO

The Fellow will conduct a leading research role in three areas:

1. The OCTOPUS trial, which is a multi-arm, multi-stage (MAMS) randomized controlled trial in progressive MS, initially comparing alpha-lipoic acid and metformin versus placebo.
2. The role of haemolysis in driving progression in MS.
3. Validation and testing the clinical deployment of a cerebrospinal fluid light chain assay as an alternative to isoelectric focusing in the diagnosis and management of MS.

Within the OCTOPUS trail, the fellow will recruit and follow-up patients, including screening, baseline visits, supervision of MR imaging and blinded assessments during follow-up. The fellow will engage with other centres in the region, help integrate trial activity across between research and clinical settings, and act as an OCTOPUS and Stop MS Appeal ambassador to drive publicity of trial and donor events in liaison with the MS Society.

The post-holder will be based on the University of Southampton and have an honorary appointment with the University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust. They will be offered the opportunity to attend MS outpatient clinics and multidisciplinary team meetings, working under varying degrees of supervision depending on experience. There will be an emphasis on the post-holders clinical research career development, for example designing ones own research ideas, gathering preliminary data, and/or preparing a fellowship funding application if this is a desired direction of travel.

WHAT WERE LOOKING FOR

You will have a MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine & Bachelor of Surgery) degree or equivalent, experience working as a doctor, and Advanced Life Support certification. Essential to this post is high proficiency in intravenous cannulation and the ability to drive ones own car to attend satellite clinics (for example in Bournemouth and Warminster). The MRCP degree (in part or full), previous neurology experience, postgraduate research degrees, participation in clinical trials and experience of using ultrasound for intravenous cannulation would be advantages but are not essential. The successful applicant will be highly motivated, capable of independent working and have excellent organisational and communication skills.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Appointment will be made under local contractual terms and conditions of service for Trust appointed (non-training fellow doctors and dentists).

Successful candidates will have an educational framework equivalent to training grade doctors, and there will be a named educational supervisor assigned at the start of the post. The opportunity for Continued Professional Development (CPD) is highly supported and encouraged by the Trust, with options available to take study leave. All licensed doctors must meet the GMC requirements for revalidation and there will be an annual appraisal to support this process.

Grades for Trust appointed (non-training) fellows will be paid a basic salary at a nodal pay point linked to the grade, at the rate set out in the National Medical and Dental pay circular. Basic salary detailed below plus any additional remuneration (as applicable) for hours set out in the doctors work schedule (e.g. additional hours, weekend allowance, and any hours which attract enhanced pay)

Basic Salary - MT03 £43,923

This post is available part time (2.5 or 3 days a week) for one year with the possibility of extension, with a start date of 7th February 2024.

Travelling expenses will not be paid for attending interview

Please note that GMC registration (with a licence to practice) and right to work in the UK are essential for this role. Successful applicants will already have GMC registration or will be able to demonstrate they are eligible. Applicants requiring Tier 2 sponsorship should ensure they meet the Home Office application criteria prior to submitting an application.

Interviews will be held on Wednesday, 06 December 2023

Job Reference: MT1073 -MEDICAL

This vacancy closes on or before: 25th November 2023

Qualifications and training

Essential

• MBBS or equivalent medical qualification
• GMC registration with a licence to practice
• Advanced Life Support Certification

Desirable

• MRCP (Part 1 or full)
• BSc / MSc / PhD
• Good Clinical Practice certificate

Aptitudes and skills

Essential

• Evidence of participation in undergraduate and postgraduate teaching

Previous or relevant experience

Essential

• Appropriate knowledge base, and ability to apply sound clinical judgement to problems
• Experience working in neurology
• High proficiency with intravenous cannulation

Desirable

• Clinical trials experience
• Teaching at undergraduate level and contributing to teaching at postgraduate level
• Detailed understanding and experience in multiple sclerosis
• Publications in peer-reviewed scientific journals
• Ultrasound guidance for intravenous cannulation

Aptitudes and skills

Essential

• Demonstrate the ability to be calm, compassionate, and able to respond efficiently to various circumstances, which may change rapidly
• Able to organise own research activities to deadline and quality standards
• Able to develop understanding of complex problems and apply in-depth knowledge to address them
• Able to develop original techniques/methods
• Able to supervise work of junior research staff, delegating effectively
• Work effectively in a team, understanding the strengths and weaknesses of others to help teamwork development
• Communicate effectively and sympathetically with patients and their carers
• Able to present research results at group meetings and conferences
• Able to write up research results for publication in leading peer-viewed journals
• Work proactively with colleagues in other work areas/institutions, contributing specialist knowledge to achieve outcomes
• Understanding of relevant Health and Safety issues
• Positive attitude to patients, colleagues and students

Living the Trust values

Essential

• Patients First
• Always Improving
• Working Together

Aptitudes and skills

Essential

• Evidence and ability to work effectively in multi-professional team
• Understanding of equality and diversity and how this affects patients, visitors and staff
• Evidence and ability to communicate and liaise effectively with patients and colleagues (verbal and written communication skills in English).
• Demonstrate good organisational skills including ability to prioritise effectively and meet deadlines

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).