Clinical Research Fellow - HPB-NET Medical Oncology

The Christie NHS Foundation Trust; Manchester; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading cancer research organization in Manchester is seeking enthusiastic senior medical trainees for a Fellowship in Medical Oncology. The role involves a mix of clinical responsibilities and research activities, including audits and protocol development. Candidates must have GMC registration and a keen interest in gaining research experience in Hepatopancreaticobiliary and neuroendocrine neoplasms. This full-time position offers a unique opportunity to contribute to innovative cancer studies and training in a top-tier oncology department.

Benefits

Opportunities for professional development

Access to courses and teaching

Participation in national/international meetings

Qualifications

• Completion of general professional training is essential.
• Hold full GMC registration and IELTS proficiency.
• Clinical experience in Medical Oncology is essential.

Responsibilities

• Conduct clinical audits as part of Medical staff.
• Attend outpatient clinics and manage patient care.
• Participate in clinical governance and maintain protocols.

Skills

Attention to detail

Teamwork

Communication

Proactive approach

Organizational skills

Education

General Medical Council registration

Medical degree

MRCP or equivalent (desirable)

Tools

Statistical software

Database management

Job description

This Fellowship will allow senior medical trainees to work within the hepatopancreaticobiliary and neuroendocrine neoplasm disease group at The Christie NHS Foundation Trust. This coordinated research expansion plan sits under the umbrella of the Systemic Therapy Research Group, which aims to substantially increase research output within the Department of Medical Oncology, through increased delivery of innovative investigator‑led studies driven by The Christie NHS Foundation Trust. A key part of this process is to encourage education and empowerment of research staff at all levels, which includes training the next generation of cancer research leaders. These positions are suitable for enthusiastic and research‑motivated applicants with a Medical degree, who are pursuing a career in Medical Oncology and have an interest in gaining further research and clinical trial experience in Hepatopancreaticobiliary and neuroendocrine neoplasms. Candidates must hold full General Medical Council (GMC) registration and have International English Language Testing System (IELTS) proficiency (if appropriate) or currently be eligible to apply for GMC registration. This Fellowship is a one (or two year), full‑time position, to support clinical research in this disease group and to provide specialist experience and training in the relevant disease areas for the successful applicants.

Main duties of the job

Depending on the projects, the successful applicant will need to divide their time between research and a moderate clinical commitment; this may involve clinical research and audit activities, including protocol‑writing. The post will be based within the Department of Medical Oncology under the supervision of a consultant clinician. The post‑holder will work closely with other members of the respective multidisciplinary teams and will support the consultants, clinical fellows, specialist registrar, nurses, nurse clinicians, trial co‑ordinators and clinical research nurses in managing the disease group clinical trial portfolios. Fellows will attend appropriate clinics per week (a maximum of two research and two NHS clinics), and multidisciplinary meetings. In addition, they will participate in clinical research meetings and any other relevant trial planning or trial set‑up meetings. Fellows will also spend time reviewing clinical data, writing abstracts/manuscripts, planning new studies and attending educational meetings.

About us

The Christie is one of Europe's leading cancer centres, treating over 60,000 patients a year. We are based in Manchester and serve a population of 3.2 million across Greater Manchester & Cheshire, but as a national specialist around 15% of patients are referred to us from other parts of the country. We provide radiotherapy through one of the largest radiotherapy departments in the world, chemotherapy on site and through 14 other hospitals, highly specialist surgery for complex and rare cancer and a wide range of support and diagnostic services. We are also an international leader in research, with world‑first breakthroughs for over 100 years. We run one of the largest early clinical trial units in Europe with over 300 trials every year. Cancer research in Manchester, most of which is undertaken on the Christie site, has been officially ranked the best in the UK.

Job responsibilities

Audit: Fellows play a key role in Clinical Audit as a member of The Christie Medical staff.

Clinics: Research fellows in Medical Oncology usually attend a number of outpatient clinics per week (seeing new referrals, follow‑ups and patients on clinical trials) and are expected to undertake the administrative duties associated with the care of these patients.

Clinical Governance: Fellows are expected to participate in all relevant aspects of clinical governance, including maintaining up‑to‑date protocols, guidelines and clinical audit, under the supervision of the Consultants in the disease group.

Education: There are numerous courses organised annually by the School of Oncology at The Christie. Please refer to The School of Oncology website: Healthcare Education | The Christie School of Oncology. In addition, there is an annual research event where all Medical Oncology fellows are encouraged to present their on‑going research and a little about themselves. There are also weekly teaching sessions in practical life skills related to Medical Oncology, such as interview skills, oral presentation skills, curriculum vitae preparation, media training, career development etc.

Professional Development: Fellows should also maintain a level of continuing professional development consistent with the recommendations of the Royal College of Physicians. Appropriate arrangements for study leave will be made in conjunction with colleagues. There is the potential to attend national/international meetings (when this is an option) to present research work and fellows are expected to be involved in writing papers and reviews, and will also be required to undergo an annual appraisal.

Protocol Development: Fellows may also assist with the revision and development of evidence‑based clinical trial protocols for patients.

Research: There are excellent opportunities for research within the Department. Fellows are encouraged to contribute to current research projects within the unit and/or set up new projects. The Manchester Cancer Research Centre has been established to bring together the expertise, ambition and resources of partner organisations, which include the University of Manchester, the Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute, Cancer Research UK, in addition to The Christie NHS Foundation Trust.

Post holders are committed to delivering at least four of the following:

• Successfully complete a clinical audit.
• Actively participate in at least one national or international meeting (abstract presentation).
• Successfully publish at least two first‑author peer‑reviewed manuscripts.
• Aid income generation through assistance in development and writing of investigator‑led studies/grant applications for research projects.
• Increase the international profile of the Disease Group, The Christie School of Oncology and The Christie Medical Oncology Fellowship programme.
• Representation from The Christie on international professional committees.

Person Specification

Attainments

Essential

• Have completed or currently completing general professional training, hold full GMC registration and International Academic English Language Testing System (IELTS) proficiency (if appropriate), or currently be eligible to apply for GMC registration.
• GMC registration.

Desirable

• Have been awarded MRCP (or equivalent) status.

Experience

Essential

• Have clinical experience in Medical Oncology.

Desirable

• Experience of research.

Personal skills

Essential

• Be computer literate.
• Pay meticulous attention to detail.
• Be able to work independently and as part of a team.
• Have a proactive and flexible approach to work, and be willing to undergo training and to learn new skills, as required.
• Have the ability to communicate effectively, confidently and independently with physicians, scientists, administrators at all levels.
• Have excellent organisational skills, with the ability to prioritise and organise own workload and that of others, and be able to work to strict deadlines, using own initiative.

Desirable

• Be able to use databases.
• Experience of statistical packages for data analysis.
• Have demonstrated commitment to the disease group.