Job Description

Applications are invited for the position of Senior (post-CCT or ST7+) Neurosurgical Oncology Fellow at the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, Queen Square, London, from the period 7 August 2024 for 1 year.



The National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery is part of the University College London Hospitals (UCLH) NHS Foundation Trust and is regularly ranked amongst the best neurosurgery hospitals in the world. As part of UCL Partners, UCLH forms the largest Academic Health Science Centre in Europe. The hospital's affiliated university, University College London, is ranked first in Europe and second in the world in neuroscience.



This post is designed as a 1-year post for senior neurosurgical trainees who have obtained their certificate of completion of training (CCT) in neurosurgery (or are ST7 + equivalent), and who wish to develop their skills and gain experience in advanced neurosurgical oncology in a major centre of excellence. The successful applicant will be working in the firm of Mr Ciaran Hill, Consultant Neurosurgeon with subspeciality interest in surgical neuro-oncology. Where required they will also be expected to work with other members of the neuro-oncology team to take responsibility for co-ordinating the wider oncology service.The Fellow is expected to participate in the on-call rota, and may cross-cover other firms when necessary, including the 6 other subspecilalised neuro-oncology surgeons.



University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (UCLH) is one of the most complex NHS trusts in the UK, serving a large and diverse population. We provide academically led acute and specialist services, to people from the local area, from throughout the United Kingdom and overseas. Our vision is to deliver top-quality patient care, excellent education, and world-class research.



We provide first-class acute and specialist services across eight sites:



University College Hospital (incorporating the Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Wing)



National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery



Royal National ENT and Eastman Dental Hospitals



University College Hospital Grafton Way Building



Royal London Hospital for Integrated Medicine



University College Hospital Macmillan Cancer Centre



The Hospital for Tropical Diseases



University College Hospital at Westmoreland Street



We are dedicated to the diagnosis and treatment of many complex illnesses. UCLH specialises in women's health and the treatment of cancer, infection, neurological, gastrointestinal and oral disease. It has world class support services including critical care, imaging, nuclear medicine and pathology.



We are committed to sustainability and have pledged to become a carbon net zero health service, embedding sustainable practice throughout UCLH. We have set an ambitious target of net zero for our direct emissions by 2031 and indirect emissions by 2040.



For the full Person Specification and more information regarding the main responsibilities of this role, please refer to the attached .



Please note, due to anticipated high volumes of applications, this vacancy may close earlier than the listed closing date. You are advised not to delay submitting your completed application



Come and be a part of the best NHS trust in England to work for, according to our staff*



UCLH top trust to work at in England - In the most recent NHS staff survey UCLH had the highest percentage of staff who said they would recommend us as a place to work, out of all general acute or acute/community NHS trusts in England - for the third year in a row.

UCLH recognises the benefits of flexible working for staff - To find out more, visit: Flexible working .



To discover more about what makes UCLH a great place to work, visit: Why Choose UCLH?



1. FELLOWSHIP EXPERIENCE



Techniques and technologies

The Fellow will participate and obtain experience in:

Advanced surgical techniques including comprehensive awake (and asleep) brain mapping of motor, language and other functions for primary brain tumours Supra and infratenorial extra-axial tumour resection including meningiomas and metastases Microsurgical and endoscopic approaches to tumours Complex cranial microsurgery including insular, intraventricular, posterior fossa & pineal region tumours with assistance of extensive neurophysiological monitoring including free-running and triggered EMGs where appropriate Care of TYA patients (teenager and young adults)

The Fellow will obtain experience in advanced technologies including:

Intraoperative MRI Intraoperative cranial ultrasound Fluorescent-guided technologies (Gliolan) Neuronavigation with Medtronic StealthStationTM 8 (optical and EM) and BrainLab systems and frameless/ frame based stereotaxy Understanding principles and application of functional imaging including perfusion, spectroscopy, fMRI and DTI maps Use of tubular retractors (Minimally invasive parafascicular surgery) Cranial and intraventricular endoscopy Use of the Olympus OrbEye exoscope Gamma Knife Radiosurgery

Roles and responsabilities

The Fellow will have a role defined as follows:

Review of patients undergoing the specialist neurosurgical pathway as part of multidisciplinary clinics and weekly MDT meetings including input from the radiologists, neurologists and clinical nurse specialists Attendance at outpatient clinics, including joint MDT clinics with neuro-oncolgists Preoperative, perioperative and postoperative care of neurosurgery patients including in the critical care setting Delivery of care with a focus on shared decision making Attendance at general and specialist neurosurgical operative cases in theatres Management of general neurosurgical conditions of the brain and spine as part of the general on call commitments and supervision of junior neurosurgical trainees Participate in Clinical Governance, Risk Management and Clinical Audits within the department To lead on a service quality improvement project of their choice within the Neurosurgery department Take responsibility for the professional supervision and development of trainee/junior doctors within the department Other registrar duties as required, including cover for leave and sickness absence. The post holder will be expected to carry out all the necessary administrative duties associated with the care of patients. We are committed to providing a supportive learning environment in order to maximise the career potential of the successful candidate. There is a well-established junior medical staff training program and it is expected that the successful candidate will participate in these sessions. The post is an ideal stepping-stone for an experienced neurosurgical trainee to gain further experience in specialised neurosurgery before applying for a Consultant post in Neurosurgery.

Research and Academics

The Fellow will be expected to participate in, and lead, a number of research and quality improvement studies. Depending on interests and experience this may include delivery of clinical trials, wet-lab research, large data/artificial intellegence based research, new device development, data-driven projects, technichal reports and reviews. The academic responsibilities will include working within a wider team of clinicians & scientists to deliver assigned research projects as agreed. Working principally with Mr Ciaran Hill's laboratory the postholder will undertake a carefully supervised project focussed on brain cancer. There will be participation in ongoing clinical trials and the development of new trials, as well as reviewing the outcome of previously treated patients. The aim is to gain research experience/output to improve competitiveness for subsequent applications, including research grants. The fellow will be expected to help organise and participate in training courses including the Queen Square Advanced Neuro-Oncology Course Where it aligns with interests they may also be expected to supervise undergraduate and MSc projects The post holder must complete Good Clinical Practice training prior to commencing the post. They will be expected to attend and participate in training and events

2. REQUIREMENTS

Applicants are expected to have completed all, or most, of their training, and have obtained CCT or equivalent and have full GMC registration. Both UK and overseas candidates are welcome to apply.



The successful applicant is expected to be highly motivated and dedicated in the field of oncological surgery; dedicated in understanding surgical techniques and technological adjuncts required for a maximum safe tumour resection; the biological basis of tumorigenesis; and principles of research required to promote studies and report outcome data.