Clinical Research Fellow - Department of Immunology and Immunotherapy

University of Birmingham; Birmingham; On-site; GBP 43,000 - 74,000; Full time

Job summary

A prestigious UK university in Birmingham is seeking two Clinical Research Fellows for a one-year fixed-term contract. This role is essential to support HPB medical oncology trials and integrate with research teams. Candidates must have a medical degree and be GDC registered. You will coordinate patient recruitment, assist with trial management, and pursue a PhD opportunity. Competitive salary range is £43,455 to £73,506.

Qualifications

• Full General Medical Council Registration with a Licence to Practice.
• Understanding and experience of research methods and processes in the field of cancer and trials.
• Ability to assess resource requirements and coordinate own work.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate recruitment of patients to clinical trials.
• Assist with trial set-up and approvals.
• Collect and manage research data.

Skills

Analytical capability

Communication of complex information

Patient recruitment coordination

Literature review

Education

Medical degree

Job description

Position Details

Department of Immunology and Immunotherapy, School of Infection, Inflammation and Immunology, College of Medicine and Health

Location: University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham UK

Full time starting salary is normally in the range £43,455 to £73,506

Clinical

Full Time, Fixed Term contract up to 1 year

2 positions available

Closing date: 23rd July 2025

Background

The University of Birmingham and University Hospitals of Birmingham NHS Trust are one of the largest providers of clinical care and research into cancers of the pancreas, biliary tract and liver (HPB). The medical oncology grouping sees close to 550 new cases of these cancers a year. There is a large active clinical trials programme that spans phase 1 to phase 3. These patients have a poor prognosis, and this clinic forms the basis of a significant translational programme with the university spanning several scientific research groups.

A private foundation has given the university a sizable donation that has created the Nelson Clinical Research Fellows (CRFs). These are one-year posts specifically designed to allow a clinically trained individual to gain experience. The CRFs will embed themselves in the HPB medical oncology team to help deliver clinical care and trials and also integrate themselves into a research group at the university where they can generate preliminary data. Within the scope of the CRF one-year contract, individuals may also be supported to apply for PhD funding for a different role to commence at the end of the CRF contract.

This is a 1-year post to gain clinical experience in HPB oncology and to gain pre-doctoral research experience

Role Summary

The post-holder will contribute to the working of the HPB medical oncology team by supporting clinical trials which include late phase trials in the HPB space or early phase trials. Additionally, they will have dedicated research time to integrate themselves in a university research group which is aligned to the HPB medical oncology clinic where they can work on a translational project and generate preliminary data for a PhD. Examples of programmes on-going include using peripheral immune cells to predict immunotherapy response in biliary tract and liver cancer and using circulating tumour DNA to look at chemotherapy response in the neoadjuvant setting.

Main Duties

• To coordinate recruitment of patients to trials, including patient identification and consent and performance of trial-related procedures, where relevant.
• To assist with trial set-up and obtaining necessary local and national approvals (ethics, MHRA) and contribute to site file and data management under guidance of the Trial Coordinators and Lead Investigators.
• To carry out a literature review of the topic area.
• To undertake prescribed research tasks and collection of research data.
• To prioritise tasks within the agreed workschedule to ensure that projects are delivered in a timely fashion.
• To suggest and contribute to the development of research techniques and methods in collaboration with colleagues.
• To contribute to writing bids for research grants.
• To disseminate research findings using appropriate and effective media such as publication, research seminars, etc.
• To provide guidance to other staff and students.
• To contribute to the production of research reports and high impact publications.
• To plan and develop research contributions to subject area using methodologies, critical evaluations, interpretations, analyses and other appropriate techniques.
• To participate in departmental public engagement activities and initiatives.
• Promotes equality and values diversity acting as a role model and fostering an inclusive working culture.

Person Specification

• Medical degree.
• Full General Medical Council Registration with a Licence to Practice.
• Understanding and experience of research methods and processes (ideally in the field of cancer and trials).
• High level analytical capability.
• Ability to communicate complex information clearly.
• Ability to assess resource requirements and use resources effectively.
• Ability to coordinate own work.
• Knowledge of the protected characteristics of the Equality Act 2010, and how to act to ensure those with protected characteristics are treated equally and fairly.
• Ensure in day-to-day activity in own area that those with protected characteristics are treated equally and fairly.

OH and DBS required

The University is committed to safeguarding and we promote safe recruitment practice, therefore all associated pre-employment checks will be undertaken before any appointment is confirmed. Due to the nature of the work undertaken in this role all successful applicants will be subject to a satisfactory Occupational Health and DBS clearance prior to appointment.

Further particulars can be found here.

Informal enquiries to Lisa Powell, email: [e-mail]

We believe there is no such thing as a 'typical' member of University of Birmingham staff and that diversity in its many forms is a strength that underpins the exchange of ideas, innovation and debate at the heart of University life. We are committed to proactively addressing the barriers experienced by some groups in our community and are proud to hold Athena SWAN, Race Equality Charter and Disability Confident accreditations. We have an Equality Diversity and Inclusion Centre that focuses on continuously improving the University as a fair and inclusive place to work where everyone has the opportunity to succeed. We are also committed to sustainability, which is a key part of our strategy. You can find out more about our work to create a fairer university for everyone