Job Description

About the role

We have an exciting opportunity to join the Draper Group in the Department of Paediatrics as our Clinical Research Fellow - Malaria Vaccine Programme.

This role is focused on supporting the design, delivery and execution of clinical trials of a next-generation multi-stage malaria vaccine candidate through Phase 1 optimisation and Phase 2 efficacy testing at both existing and new collaborative partner sites across East and West Africa. This programme of work is part of a new EDCTP3-funded consortium led by Professor Angela Minassian. In addition, the role will include support for the vaccine and human malaria challenge studies in Oxford, working closely with other members of the clinical team. The post will involve travel to one or more African sites (approximately 2-3 short trips per year), providing some experience working in low resource settings, working with local clinicians and laboratory research staff. However, the majority of the role will be based in Oxford.

The successful applicant will work closely with the Oxford clinical team, led by Professor Minassian, and with African partner teams, to lead on and maintain high quality in the design and conduct of these studies. The Oxford clinical team are based at the Centre for Clinical Vaccinology and Tropical Medicine, Churchill Hospital, and are fully integrated with the Draper Group laboratory research team based in central Oxford. This forms part of a new hub for infectious disease and immunology research in the Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin Building and Kavli Institute for Nanoscience Discovery. The group's current website is here: https://draperlab.web.ox.ac.uk/.

The post will provide front-line experience of clinical research in a multi-disciplinary academic environment and the research is expected to lead to high quality publications. This includes opportunities for suitable candidates to seek independent research funding and to develop a laboratory, clinical or a translational research proposal for a higher degree (DM/DPhil).

You will be working in a growing department within the Medical Sciences Division. The Department of Paediatrics is a world leader in child health research and hosts internationally renowned research programmes in drug development, gastroenterology, haematology, HIV, immunology, neuroimaging, neuromuscular diseases and vaccinology. The Draper Group under the lead of Professor Simon Draper has a strong translational focus, seeking to develop innovative and new concepts in vaccine or antibody-based design and delivery, and with full integration of the clinical and laboratory teams. Over the last 15 years we have translated eleven vaccine candidates, including viral vectors, recombinant proteins-in-adjuvants and a virus-like particle, into Phase 1 and 2 clinical trials in the UK and Africa. Over half of these trials include an experimental malaria challenge component, either with falciparum or vivax malaria parasites.

This position is offered full-time on a fixed-term contract initially 2 years or until 31 May 2028, whichever is sooner, with the possibility to extend provided further external funding is available.

This role meets the criteria for a UK Skilled Worker visa.

About the department

The Department of Paediatrics has been honoured with the Athena Swan Gold award, a national gender equality charter, recognising the Department's innovative policies and practices. We are committed to the professional development of our staff by providing up to ten paid days annually for skill enhancement and allowing applications for additional training funding. By joining us, you will have the opportunity to contribute to a forward-thinking department.

We welcome new staff with ideas who are willing to shape the future of the department that thinks about its staff and wellbeing. In addition to the University of Oxford wellbeing resources, the Department of Paediatrics sponsors weekly exercise classes such as yoga and bootcamp sessions as well as a choir. For staff on work visas, we also offer financial assistance towards visa renewal fees. These activities are designed to promote physical and mental wellbeing among staff members.

Please visit our website to find out more about the Department.

About you

You will have a GMC registration; you must be currently qualified and licensed to practise medicine in the UK, supplemented by relevant post-qualification experience in clinical medicine, with proven and demonstrable technical skills. You will possess excellent verbal and written communication skills for a wide range of audiences, and excellent interpersonal skills, including the ability to be comfortable and confident interacting with volunteers and patients in a research study, clinical research co-ordinators, team members, laboratory and administrative staff, monitors, collaborating company representatives, and the broader research community. Requires flexibility in the hours worked, as some out of hours work is required (especially during challenge studies).

Application Process

You will be required to upload a CV and Supporting Statement as part of your online application. The Supporting Statement should include a cover letter and should also clearly describe how you meet each of the selection criteria listed in the job description. Click here for information and advice on writing an effective Supporting Statement.

To discuss the post in more detail, please contact Professor Angela Minassian, the Draper Group Chief Investigator, using the contact details below.

Only online applications received before 12.00 midday on 29 July 2025 will be considered. Interviews will be held on 13 August 2025.

The Department of Paediatrics offers an Interview Expense Reimbursement Policy in its efforts towards equality, diversity and inclusion. Should you be invited to interview, we will share further information about the policy at that stage.