Clinical Research Fellow

The University of Sheffield; Sheffield; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 77,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

41 days annual leave

Flexible working including hybrid

Generous pension scheme

Staff networks and recognition awards

Job summary

The University of Sheffield is seeking a Clinical Academic Trainee to join our MND/ Neurodegeneration clinical research programme focused on gene therapy and experimental medicine trials. You will work predominantly with patients, delivering cutting-edge translational neuroscience research and contributing to journal publications and conference presentations.

The role offers training within NIHR Sheffield Biomedical Research Centre and opportunities to develop your own research project aligned

Qualifications

• MBBS or equivalent medical qualification (assessed at application).
• GMC full registration at time of appointment.
• A minimum of two years General Professional Training involving direct patient care.
• Completed Foundation Year 2 before starting in post.
• Strong communication, report writing and presentation skills.
• Experience in teaching undergraduate MBBS students and other research supervision.
• Track record of research productivity (publications and presentations).
• Interest in research with commitment to audit.
• Strong evidence of academic potential from qualifications, honours, prizes, awards.
• Experience in Neurology at SHO/SPR grade and potential to progress.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop and refine experiments in translational neuroscience to obtain reliable data.
• Assist in experimental medicine studies and other clinical trials as required.
• Assist in collection, documentation and analysis of biosamples.
• Analyse and record clinical data to aid research design.
• Prepare papers for journals/presentations for dissemination of findings.
• Coordinate and liaise with group members; supervise research activities if required.

Skills

Communication skills

Teaching

Presentation skills

Research supervision

Academic potential

Education

MBBS or equivalent medical qualification

GMC full registration

Foundation Year 2

Two years General Professional Training

Experience in Neurology (SHO/SPR)

MRCP (UK) or equivalent

Job description

The University of Sheffield is a remarkable place to work. Our people are at the heart of everything we do. Their diverse backgrounds, abilities and beliefs make Sheffield a world-class university.

We offer a fantastic range of benefits including a highly competitive annual leave entitlement (with the ability to purchase more), a generous pensions scheme, flexible working opportunities, a commitment to your development and wellbeing, a wide range of retail discounts, and much more. Find out more about our benefits (opens in a new window) and join us to become part of something special.

Overview

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a highly motivated clinical trainee interested in Neurology research to join our Motor Neuron Disease (MND) / Neurodegeneration clinical research programme. This post will be predominantly patient focused, playing a key role in helping to deliver cutting edge gene therapy and experimental medicine trials. The ability to implement good clinical practice is therefore essential.

You will have the opportunity to be part of the NIHR Sheffield Biomedical Research Centre (Translational Neuroscience for Chronic Neurological Disorders) Junior Academy and gain an appreciation of a wide variety of translational neuroscience research programmes.

You will have the opportunity to develop your own research project aligned to the interests of the MND group.

Main Duties And Responsibilities

• Design, develop and refine experiments in translational neuroscience research in order to obtain reliable data.
• Assist in experimental medicine studies and other clinical trials as required.
• Assist in the collection, documentation and analysis of biosamples.
• Analyse and record clinical data to aid the design of the research data.
• Prepare papers for journals / presentations either in-house or at national / international conferences or seminars to disseminate research findings.
• Write supporting documents to contribute to and support the work of the Research Group, e.g. reports and interim reports. Carry out administrative roles as required.
• Provide help to other researchers in the same laboratory in related field of research.
• Read academic papers, journals and textbooks and attend conferences to keep abreast of developments.
• Participate in one weekly clinic session per week.
• Attend StR Neurology training days.
• Plan for specific aspects of the research programme as discussed with the fellowship supervisor.
• Contribute to research group planning.
• For each particular hypothesis, plan for own contribution up to three months ahead, incorporating issues such as the availability of resources, deadlines, project milestones and overall research aims. Design individual experiments and work‑plan weekly.
• Coordinate and liaise with other members of the research group over work progress. Supervise research team/activities if required.
• Continuously monitor and check results with daily planning to accommodate new developments.
• Plan several months in advance to meet deadlines for journal publications and to prepare presentations and papers for conferences.
• Carry out other duties, commensurate with the grade and remit of the post

Person Specification

Our diverse community of staff and students recognises the unique abilities, backgrounds, and beliefs of all. We foster a culture where everyone feels they belong and is respected. Even if your past experience doesn't match perfectly with this role's criteria, your contribution is valuable, and we encourage you to apply. Please ensure that you reference the application criteria in the application statement when you apply.

Criteria

Essential Or Desirable

Stage(s) assessed at

• MBBS or equivalent medical qualification (assessed at application)
• Essential
  Application
  GMC full registration at time of appointment and hold a current licence to practice medicine (assessed at application)
• Essential
  Application
  A minimum of two years General Professional Training involving direct patient care
• Essential
  Application
  Completed Foundation Year 2 before starting in post.
• Essential
  Application
  Effective communication skills, both written and verbal, report writing skills, experience of delivering presentations; communicating to staff at all levels the organisation’s strategic plan and their personal contribution towards it
• Essential
  Application and Interview
  Experience in teaching undergraduate MBBS students and other research supervision
• Essential
  Application and Interview
  Track record of research productivity in terms of publications and presentations
• Essential
  Application and Interview
  Evidence of innovation in teaching: understanding of current directions in undergraduate medical education. Skill in teaching organisation.
• Essential
  Application and Interview
  Evidence of an interest in research, with some previous experience. Demonstration of a commitment to further research and an interest in audit
• Essential
  Application and Interview
  Strong evidence of academic potential from qualifications, honours, prizes, awards etc.
• Essential
  Application and Interview
  Experience in Neurology at SHO/SPR grade and demonstrating the potential to progress in the speciality
• Desirable
  Application and Interview
  MRCP (UK) or equivalent
• Desirable
  Application

Further Information

• Grade
  Clinical Academic Trainee
• Salary
  £55,355 to £77,348 per annum
• Work arrangement
  Full-time
• Duration
  12 months
• Line manager
  Professor of Translational Neurology, NIHR Research Professor,
  Director NIHR Sheffield Biomedical Research Centre
• Our website
  http://sitran.org

For Informal Enquiries About This Job Contact

Professor Christopher McDermott (Professor of Translational Neurology, NIHR Research Professor, Director NIHR Sheffield Biomedical Research Centre) on [e-mail] (secretary – Dee Morris) or on 0114 222 2262

Next steps in the recruitment process

It is anticipated that the selection process will take place within 3 weeks of the closing date. This will consist of an interview and presentation. We plan to let candidates know if they have progressed to the selection stage within 1 week of the closing date. If you need any support, equipment or adjustments to enable you to participate in any element of the recruitment process you can contact Jennifer Newton ([e-mail]).

Our vision and strategic plan

We are a research university with a global reputation for excellence. Our ideas and expertise change the world for the better, making a real difference to society. We know that when people come together with different views, approaches and insights it can lead to richer, more creative and innovative teaching and research and the highest levels of student experience. Our University Vision (www.sheffield.ac.uk/vision) outlines our commitment to building a diverse community of staff and students that recognises and values the abilities, backgrounds, beliefs and ways of living for everyone.

What We Offer

• A minimum of 41 days annual leave including bank holiday and closure days (pro rata) with the ability to purchase more.
• Flexible working opportunities, including hybrid working for some roles.
• Generous pension scheme.
• A wide range of discounts and rewards on shopping, eating out and travel.
• A variety of staff networks, providing opportunities for social interaction, peer support and personal development (for example, Race Equality, LGBT+, Women’s and Parent’s networks).
• Recognition Awards to reward staff who go above and beyond in their role.
• A commitment to your development access to learning and mentoring schemes integrated with our Academic Career Pathways
• A range of generous family-friendly policies
• paid time off for parenting and caring emergencies
• support for those going through the menopause
• paid time off and support for fertility treatment
• and more

More details can be found on our benefits page: sheffield.ac.uk/jobs/benefits (opens in a new window).

We are a Disability Confident Employer. If you have a disability and meet the essential criteria for this job you will be invited to take part in the next stage of the selection process.

An enhanced DBS check will be needed for this role. More details on the checks can be found on the Government website: gov.uk/criminal-record-checks-apply-role (opens in a new window). Possession of a criminal record is not an automatic bar to employment at the University of Sheffield. We recognise the value of steady employment in the rehabilitation process and examine each case in its own right. More information can be found on our Information for candidates’ page: sheffield.ac.uk/jobs/candidates (opens in a new window).

Closing Date : 28/10/2026