Job summary
The post is available from 6th August 2025 based in the Departments of Pancreatobiliary Surgery at the Royal Liverpool University Hospital and Molecular and Clinical Cancer Medicine at the University of Liverpool. The successful applicant will be expected to register for a higher degree at the University of Liverpool (the post is designed to support research for an MD or PhD, subject to satisfactory progress), will receive research training, close supervision and mentorship. The applicant would be expected to undertake their research within the department in an established research programme into pancreatic cancer with the opportunity to be involved in both basic science and clinical research.
The successful applicant will have a commitment to the general surgical on-call rota (1 in 7 nights/weekend days) and limited service requirements in the pancreatobiliary department. The departments have a strong track record of candidates completing higher degrees, achieving publications in high impact clinical and scientific journals and in obtaining external funding support such as Royal College of Surgeons of England Research Fellowships. The post attracts a full salary on the specialist registrar pay scale with appropriate on-call supplements.
The post is open to interested candidates, but would be particularly suited to candidates who are currently in UK surgical training programmes who wish to take time out of programme to develop their research skills and academic portfolio.
Main duties of the job
It is expected that the successful candidate will spend their working week (Monday-Friday) carrying out lab and research work along with collecting research specimens. There will also be opportunity to assist with clinical research projects within the Pancreatobiliary department.
In addition, there will be participation on the on-call general surgery registrar rota 1 in 7 nights (20:30-08:30) and weekend days. There will also be a small teaching commitment of 3-4 hours every 6 months.
About us
Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust comprises Aintree University Hospital, Broadgreen Hospital & Royal Liverpool University Hospital.
We are part of NHS University Hospitals of Liverpool Group, formed on 1 Nov 2024 from the coming together of LUHFT and Liverpool Women's NHS Foundation Trust. The Group was born from a shared aim to improve the care we provide our patients.
UHLG is one of the largest employers in the region, with over 16,800 colleagues dedicated to caring for our communities - from birth and beyond.
For the 630,000 people across Merseyside, we are their local NHS. We provide general and emergency hospital care, alongside highly specialised regional services for more than two million people in the North West.
Aintree University Hospital is the single receiving site for adult major trauma patients in Cheshire and Merseyside and hosts a number of regional services including an award-winning stroke facility. Broadgreen Hospital is home to elective surgical, diagnostic and treatment services, together with specialist patient rehabilitation. Liverpool Women's Hospital specialises in the health of women and babies, delivering over 7,200 babies in the UK's largest single site maternity hospital each year. The Royal Liverpool University Hospital is the largest hospital in the country to provide inpatients with 100% single bedrooms and focuses on complex planned care and specialist services.
For roles at Liverpool Women's, visit their careers page.
Job description
Job responsibilities
JOB PLAN
It is expected that the successful candidate will spend their working week (Monday-Friday) carrying out lab and research work along with collecting research specimens. There will also be opportunity to assist with clinical research projects within the Pancreatobiliary department.
In addition, there will be participation on the on-call general surgery registrar rota 1 in 7 nights (20:30-08:30) and weekend days. There will also be a small teaching commitment of 3-4 hours every 6 months.
THE PANCREATOBILIARY UNIT AT LIVERPOOL UNIVERSITY HOSPITALS NHS FOUNDATION TRUST
The Pancreatobiliary unit is run by an established team of Pancreatobiliary surgeons, working within the RLUH providing a Pancreatobiliary cancer resection service as well as managing chronic pancreatitis and severe acute pancreatitis for Liverpool and surrounding areas. This comprises a population in excess of one million patients, and generates approximately 180-200 resections per year. This will include patients from across the region including patients from the catchment area of North and South Liverpool, the Wirral, St Helens and Knowsley, North Cheshire, Southport, Chester, North Wales and the Isle of Man. The service is supported by three SpRs, four Specialist Nurses, a Physician Associate and a dedicated Pancreatobiliary Dietician. There is also a dedicated team of anaesthetists that support the service including preoperative assessment. The regional SMDT is held weekly at RLUH, and is a joint collaboration between Pancreatic Surgeons at RLUH, Gastroenterology/Endoscopy, Medical/Clinical Oncology, Radiology as well as Specialist Nurses and pathology. The unit is also responsible of carrying out complex benign pancreatobiliary work including the management of acute and chronic pancreatitis.
THE DEPARTMENT OF MOLECULAR AND CLINICAL CANCER MEDICINE
The Department of Molecular and Clinical Cancer Medicine (DMCCM) is one of six departments within the Institute of Systems and Molecular and Integrative Biology. The Department provides a vibrant home to approximately 200 staff including 30 principle investigators who collectively lead a comprehensive programme of basic, translational and clinical cancer research. Clinical focus areas include pancreas cancer, hepatobiliary cancer, neuroendocrine cancer, upper GI cancer, ocular oncology, lung cancer, head and neck cancer, haematological oncology, urological cancer and breast cancer while areas of particular scientific strength include DNA repair, p53 biology and tumour Microenvironment. The Department hosts several important underpinning structures including the Liverpool Experimental Cancer Medicine Centre (LECMC).
Job description
Job responsibilities
JOB PLAN
It is expected that the successful candidate will spend their working week (Monday-Friday) carrying out lab and research work along with collecting research specimens. There will also be opportunity to assist with clinical research projects within the Pancreatobiliary department.
In addition, there will be participation on the on-call general surgery registrar rota 1 in 7 nights (20:30-08:30) and weekend days. There will also be a small teaching commitment of 3-4 hours every 6 months.
THE PANCREATOBILIARY UNIT AT LIVERPOOL UNIVERSITY HOSPITALS NHS FOUNDATION TRUST
The Pancreatobiliary unit is run by an established team of Pancreatobiliary surgeons, working within the RLUH providing a Pancreatobiliary cancer resection service as well as managing chronic pancreatitis and severe acute pancreatitis for Liverpool and surrounding areas. This comprises a population in excess of one million patients, and generates approximately 180-200 resections per year. This will include patients from across the region including patients from the catchment area of North and South Liverpool, the Wirral, St Helens and Knowsley, North Cheshire, Southport, Chester, North Wales and the Isle of Man. The service is supported by three SpRs, four Specialist Nurses, a Physician Associate and a dedicated Pancreatobiliary Dietician. There is also a dedicated team of anaesthetists that support the service including preoperative assessment. The regional SMDT is held weekly at RLUH, and is a joint collaboration between Pancreatic Surgeons at RLUH, Gastroenterology/Endoscopy, Medical/Clinical Oncology, Radiology as well as Specialist Nurses and pathology. The unit is also responsible of carrying out complex benign pancreatobiliary work including the management of acute and chronic pancreatitis.
THE DEPARTMENT OF MOLECULAR AND CLINICAL CANCER MEDICINE
The Department of Molecular and Clinical Cancer Medicine (DMCCM) is one of six departments within the Institute of Systems and Molecular and Integrative Biology. The Department provides a vibrant home to approximately 200 staff including 30 principle investigators who collectively lead a comprehensive programme of basic, translational and clinical cancer research. Clinical focus areas include pancreas cancer, hepatobiliary cancer, neuroendocrine cancer, upper GI cancer, ocular oncology, lung cancer, head and neck cancer, haematological oncology, urological cancer and breast cancer while areas of particular scientific strength include DNA repair, p53 biology and tumour Microenvironment. The Department hosts several important underpinning structures including the Liverpool Experimental Cancer Medicine Centre (LECMC).
Person Specification
Clinical Skills and Knowledge
Essential
- oSound history and examination skills
- oAbility to formulate a working diagnosis and request appropriate investigations
- oReliably manage common medical and surgical emergencies
- oTo appropriately seek assistance from a senior colleague
Desirable
- oAble to competently manage general surgery patients (including operating) at level expected of ST3+ trainee
Maintaining Clinical Competence
Essential
- oWritten evidence of satisfactory training to date e.g. ARCP/workplace assessments
Teaching
Essential
- oUnderstanding of research principles
- oEvidence of participation in research projects
- oPresentation of completed audit projects at local, national and international meetings. Evidence of developing, organising and completing an audit from their own idea
Desirable
- oUndergraduate research qualification (eg BMedSc/BSc)
- oAcademic Foundation Year 1/2 training posts
- oPublication of research or audit projects in peer reviewed journals and presentation at local, national and international meetings
Qualifications
Essential
- oMBBS (or equivalent)
- oPostgraduate examinations or equivalent - (e.g. MRCS)
- oMust hold full GMC registration or be eligible to obtain full GMC registration within 3 months (or within 6 months for non EEA applicants)
- oSatisfactory completion of Foundation and Core specialist surgical Training (or equivalent)
- oHave extensive experience of working within the NHS
- oEvidence of smooth progression through training programmes
Desirable
- oOther relevant qualifications (ALS, ATLS, CCrISP)
- o2-3+ years experience at post Foundation level (i.e. CST or ST) with posts relevant to General & Pancreatic Surgery
Person Specification
Clinical Skills and Knowledge
Essential
- oSound history and examination skills
- oAbility to formulate a working diagnosis and request appropriate investigations
- oReliably manage common medical and surgical emergencies
- oTo appropriately seek assistance from a senior colleague
Desirable
- oAble to competently manage general surgery patients (including operating) at level expected of ST3+ trainee
Maintaining Clinical Competence
Essential
- oWritten evidence of satisfactory training to date e.g. ARCP/workplace assessments
Teaching
Essential
- oUnderstanding of research principles
- oEvidence of participation in research projects
- oPresentation of completed audit projects at local, national and international meetings. Evidence of developing, organising and completing an audit from their own idea
Desirable
- oUndergraduate research qualification (eg BMedSc/BSc)
- oAcademic Foundation Year 1/2 training posts
- oPublication of research or audit projects in peer reviewed journals and presentation at local, national and international meetings
Qualifications
Essential
- oMBBS (or equivalent)
- oPostgraduate examinations or equivalent - (e.g. MRCS)
- oMust hold full GMC registration or be eligible to obtain full GMC registration within 3 months (or within 6 months for non EEA applicants)
- oSatisfactory completion of Foundation and Core specialist surgical Training (or equivalent)
- oHave extensive experience of working within the NHS
- oEvidence of smooth progression through training programmes
Desirable
- oOther relevant qualifications (ALS, ATLS, CCrISP)
- o2-3+ years experience at post Foundation level (i.e. CST or ST) with posts relevant to General & Pancreatic Surgery
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
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).
