Job summary
We are looking for an enthusiastic clinical research fellow to work with us in the molecular targets theme of the NIHR Oxford Health Biomedical Research Centre, exploring the immune basis of severe mental illness. This will involve working in a clinical setting, with people with early psychosis, in the Oxford Early Intervention service, where we will be recruiting participants and collecting detailed clinical information and biological samples, and also in a range of laboratory and research settings working alongside other researchers, exploring underlying immune mechanisms from a range of perspectives. The post would suit a F3 doctor looking to get experience of clinical research.
Main duties of the job
These will be working alongside other clinical researchers to recruit participants to research studies, both patients and healthy control participants.
Day to day administration of research study
Data collection, this may include biological samples, eg blood, CSF, microbiome or imaging data, as examples
Research data analysis and presentation of results
Developing research proposals, including ideas for new research projects
About us
The NIHR Oxford Health BRC provides the infrastructure required to translate cutting-edge scientific developments into real benefit for patients. The NIHR Oxford Health BRC 2022-2027 is structured into themes that build on the University and Trust's existing strengths. we can ensure that patients and their families are maximally engaged with research, and that basic science findings are translated into patient benefit as quickly and efficiently as possible. Early Intervention in Psychosis services are the focus for the BRC "Novel therapeutic targets and biomarkers for psychiatric disorder" theme, where we will be using biomarkers to identify, understand and treat psychiatric disorders.
In particular we will focus on the role of anti-neuronal antibodies and inflammation in first-episode psychosis (schizophrenia and bipolar disorder), in order to allow more rapid, targeted, and innovative interventions. We will also focus on links between the gut microbiome, obesity and psychosis and we will conduct targeted experimental medicine and early-phase clinical trials, to include immunotherapies and repurposing studies. As a first step, we will integrate EIS assessments across NHS and University partners to provide a unified, multimodal, evidence-based, approach to diagnostic assessment and management. This will serve as a model of best practice, help drive up clinical standards, enhance research opportunities for patients, and increase recruitment to studies.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Current psychiatric drugs have many shortcomings: they can be less effective than hoped, side-effects are common, and are generally symptom- rather than disease-modifying treatments. Moreover, predicting treatment responses remains challenging. Through funding awarded by the NIHR Oxford Health Biomedical Research Centre 2022-2027 we will investigate and use immune and other biomarkers to identify novel antigens and inflammatory markers that may inform novel treatment approaches and precision medicine.
This post will work with Dr Al-Diwani and Professor Lennox to develop this work. There will be opportunities to get experience in research in multiple different settings, from the laboratory to the clinic and to develop projects according to particular interests.
For a comprehensive list of duties please review the attached job description.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Current psychiatric drugs have many shortcomings: they can be less effective than hoped, side-effects are common, and are generally symptom- rather than disease-modifying treatments. Moreover, predicting treatment responses remains challenging. Through funding awarded by the NIHR Oxford Health Biomedical Research Centre 2022-2027 we will investigate and use immune and other biomarkers to identify novel antigens and inflammatory markers that may inform novel treatment approaches and precision medicine.
This post will work with Dr Al-Diwani and Professor Lennox to develop this work. There will be opportunities to get experience in research in multiple different settings, from the laboratory to the clinic and to develop projects according to particular interests.
For a comprehensive list of duties please review the attached job description.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
Desirable
- additional degree (Msc/PhD)
Experience
Essential
- completed Foundation year training
Desirable
communication skills
Essential
- excellent written and verbal communication skills
Desirable
- research publication
- oral presentation
research skills
Essential
- interest in clinical research
Desirable
- experience in clinical research
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
Desirable
- additional degree (Msc/PhD)
Experience
Essential
- completed Foundation year training
Desirable
communication skills
Essential
- excellent written and verbal communication skills
Desirable
- research publication
- oral presentation
research skills
Essential
- interest in clinical research
Desirable
- experience in clinical research
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.
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).
Additional information
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).
