Job Description

A Clinical Research Fellowship is available for UK and International applicants with the Head and Neck team. This Fellowship will allow a senior medical trainee to work within the Head, Neck and Salivary/Thyroid disease-related group at The Christie NHS Foundation Trust. This coordinated research expansion plan sits under the umbrella of the Systemic Therapy Research Group, which aims to substantially increase research output within the Department of Medical Oncology, through increased delivery of innovative investigator-led studies driven by The Christie NHS Foundation Trust. A key part of this process is to encourage education and empowerment of research staff at all levels, which includes training the next generation of cancer research leaders.

Salary will be on the Specialist Registrar scale. There is no on-call commitment attached to this post



This position is suitable for an enthusiastic and research-motivated applicant with a Medical degree and experience in head and neck/salivary cancer who can demonstrate commitment to a career in Medical/Clinical Oncology and have an interest in gaining further research and clinical trial experience in the Head, Neck and Salivary disease group area.

The successful candidates must hold full General Medical Council (GMC) registration and have International English Language Testing System (IELTS) proficiency at the time of post commencement, as appropriate. The Fellowship is a full-time position for 2 years, to support clinical research and to provide specialist experience and training for the successful applicant.

Informal enquiries may be made to the disease group contacts, as detailed within the job description



The Christie is one of Europe's leading cancer centres, treating over 60,000 patients a year. We are based in Manchester and serve a population of 3.2 million across Greater Manchester & Cheshire, but as a national specialist around 15% patients are referred to us from other parts of the country.



We provide radiotherapy through one of the largest radiotherapy departments in the world; chemotherapy on site and through 14 other hospitals; highly specialist surgery for complex and rare cancer; and a wide range of support and diagnostic services. We are also an international leader in research, with world first breakthroughs for over 100 years.



We run one of the largest early clinical trial units in Europe with over 300 trials every year. Cancer research in Manchester, most of which is undertaken on the Christie site, has been officially ranked the best in the UK.



DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Successful applicants will need to divide their time between research and a moderate clinical commitment; this may involve clinical research and audit activities, including protocol-writing.

The post will be based within the Research and Innovation Division under the supervision of a consultant clinician (Dr Metcalf).

The post-holder will work closely with other members of the respective multidisciplinary teams and will support the consultants, clinical fellows, specialist registrars, and clinical research nurses in managing the respective large disease group clinical trial portfolios. This will facilitate more rapid clinical decision making, an increase in the number of trials opened, together with increased recruitment of patients into new and existing research protocols.

The Fellow will attend appropriate clinics per week (a maximum of two research and one NHS clinics), and multidisciplinary meetings. In addition, they will participate in clinical research meetings and any other relevant trial planning or trial set-up meetings. The Fellow will also spend time reviewing clinical data, writing abstracts/manuscripts, planning new studies and attending educational meetings.



Key accountabilities

The Clinical Research fellow will have the following opportunities:

Audit: Fellows play a key role in Clinical Audit as a member of The Christie Medical staff. Clinics: Research fellows in Medical Oncology usually attend a number of outpatient clinics per week (seeing new referrals, follow-ups and patients on clinical trials) and are expected to undertake the administrative duties associated with the care of these patients. Clinical Governance: Fellows are expected to participate in all relevant aspects of clinical governance, including maintaining up-to-date protocols, guidelines and clinical audit, under the supervision of the Consultants in the team. Education: There are numerous courses organised annually by the School of Oncology at The Christie. Please refer to The School of Oncology website: http://www.christie.nhs.uk/school-of-oncology.aspx

In addition, there is an annual research event where all Medical Oncology fellows are encouraged to present their on-going research and a little about themselves. There are also weekly teaching sessions in practical life skills related to Medical Oncology, such as interview skills, oral presentation skills, curriculum vitae preparation, media training, career development etc

Professional Development:

Fellows should also maintain a level of continuing professional development consistent with the recommendations of the Royal College of Physicians. Appropriate arrangements for study leave will be made in conjunction with colleagues. There is the potential to attend international meetings to present research work and fellows are expected to be involved in writing papers and reviews, and will also be required to undergo an annual appraisal.

Protocol Development:

Fellows may also assist with the revision and development of evidence-based clinical trial protocols for patients.

Research:

There are excellent opportunities for research within the Department. Fellows are encouraged to contribute to current research projects within the unit and/or set up new projects. The Manchester Cancer Research Centre has been established to bring together the expertise, ambition and resources of partner organisations, which include the University of Manchester, the Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute, Cancer Research UK, in addition to The Christie NHS Foundation Trust.



The post holder is committed to delivering at least four of the following:

Successfully complete a clinical audit. Actively participate in at least one national or international meeting (abstract presentation). Successfully publish at least two first-author peer-reviewed manuscripts. Aid income generation through assistance in development and writing of investigator-led studies/grant applications for research projects. Increase the international profile of the Disease Group, The Christie School of Oncology and The Christie Medical Oncology Fellowship programme. Representation from The Christie on international professional committees

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Continuing Professional Development

The Trust supports the requirements for continuing professional development (CPD) as laid down by the GMC and surgical colleges and is committed to providing time and financial support for these activities.



Role Planning

The candidate will attend one salivary clinic and one research clinic per week, both scheduled for a Friday. The other days will be protected time for salivary/head and neck cancer research.



On call Commitments

This role does not require participation in the on-call rota.