Clinical Fellow in Thoracic Surgery

University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust; Bristol; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare institution in Bristol is seeking a Senior Thoracic Surgery Fellow to join their high-volume surgical service. This 6-month Fellowship specializes in complex thoracic procedures, offering the chance to learn advanced minimally invasive techniques and robotic surgery. Ideal candidates must have 2 years of dedicated thoracic surgery training and should actively participate in multidisciplinary teams. This position is a unique opportunity to gain significant operative experience in a supportive environment.

Qualifications

• Demonstrable hands-on experience in minimally invasive thoracic techniques is essential.
• Background should not be primarily general surgery or below registrar level.

Responsibilities

• Participate actively in MDTs, clinics, and perioperative care.
• Engage in service development and governance.

Skills

Minimally invasive thoracic techniques

Major thoracic surgery experience

Team participation in MDTs

Education

Minimum of 2 years dedicated thoracic surgery training

Job description

Overview

UHBW invites applications for a senior Thoracic Surgery Fellow to join our high‑volume, minimally invasive thoracic service based at the Bristol Royal Infirmary. This post is designed for surgeons who have completed specialist certification in cardiothoracic surgery (UK CCT or international equivalent) and who wish to undertake further focused training in complex thoracic procedures within a centre recognised for its VATS programme, enhanced recovery pathways, and multidisciplinary oncology network.

This 6‑month Fellowship offers extensive operative exposure to major thoracic surgery, including VATS lobectomy and segmentectomy, complex lung cancer resections, airway and pleural surgery, and benign thoracic pathology. The Fellow will also have access to robotic thoracic surgery, with opportunities to participate in and develop experience on the robotic platform as part of the unit's minimally invasive programme.

Responsibilities

• Fellows are expected to participate actively in MDTs, clinics, perioperative care, service development and governance.

Qualifications

• Candidates must have at least 2 year full‑time equivalent dedicated thoracic surgery training in a recognised unit, with demonstrable hands‑on experience in minimally invasive thoracic techniques.
• The post is not suitable for applicants whose background is primarily general surgery, cardiac‑only practice, or below registrar level.

About UHBW

University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust (UHBW) is one of the largest acute Trusts in the country, bringing together a combined workforce of over 13,000 staff and over 100 different clinical services across 10 different sites, serving a core population of more than 500,000 people across South West England. UHBW has been rated by the CQC as 'Good' overall and our staff are proud to deliver excellent care to the people of Bristol, Weston and beyond. As a forward‑thinking multi‑award‑winning Trust and a digital exemplar committed to improving patient care, our world‑leading research and innovations are having a positive local and global impact.

Our hospitals are spread across Bristol and Weston, join us and you can enjoy the very best of both worlds; city living within a stone's throw of the countryside or beside the seaside, both with easy access to all that the South West has to offer. UHBW is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. As an equal opportunities employer actively working towards a diverse workforce we aim to recruit and retain a workforce which represents the rich diversity of the local population at all levels and are committed to designing our services around the needs of individual patients and those around them.