Clinical Research Fellow in Clinical Ageing Research Unit(CARU)(CT1-2)

NHS; Newcastle upon Tyne; On-site; GBP 31,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare organization in Newcastle upon Tyne is offering a one-year Clinical Research Fellowship within the Movement Disorders team. This role provides hands-on experience in clinical trials, including the Parkinson's Progression Markers Initiative (PPMI), and allows for skill development under expert supervision. The Fellowship could evolve into an MD or PhD, serving as a foundation for an academic or specialist career. Flexible working options are available to accommodate individual needs.

Benefits

Flexible working arrangements

Teaching and education commitment

Qualifications

• MBBS or equivalent medical qualifications required.
• Full GMC registration at time of application.
• MRCP or equivalent preferred.

Responsibilities

• Act as an investigator in PPMI study and other trials.
• Support Clinical Research Nurses in delivering care.
• Initiate and deliver a research project aligned with interests.

Skills

Good history and examination skills

Previous experience in clinical research/clinical trials

Ability to communicate well with patients and colleagues

Skilled in performing lumbar punctures unsupervised

Image interpretation relevant to practice

Education

MBBS or other recognised equivalent medical qualifications

Full GMC registration

MRCP or equivalent

Good Clinical Practice certificate

Job description

Clinical Research Fellow in Clinical Ageing Research Unit (CARU) (CT1-2)

The closing date is 08 January 2026

We are delighted to offer a one‑year Clinical Research Fellowship within our Movement Disorders team, as the Newcastle Movement Disorders Clinical Fellow. This unique role provides hands‑on involvement in internationally recognised clinical trials, including the Parkinson's Progression Markers Initiative (PPMI), alongside opportunities to develop procedural skills and gain exposure to specialist clinics. You will work closely with experienced neurologists and researchers, with mentorship and support to initiate your own research project. For the right candidate, this fellowship can evolve into an MD or PhD and serve as a foundation for an academic or specialist career.

This post is to commence as soon as possible for 12 months.

In addition to the challenges of the role, we can offer you a commitment to teaching, education, research and audit.

As a flexible‑working friendly organisation, we want to be sure that you can work in a way that is best for us and for our patients, and for you. Speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate a flexible working arrangement. If it works for the service, we will do our best to make it work for you.

Main duties of the job

To act as an investigator in the PPMI study and other academic or commercial clinical trials, while supporting specialist movement disorder clinics. The role combines clinical responsibilities with research activities, offering the opportunity to develop procedural skills, contribute to high‑impact studies, and initiate your own research project under expert supervision.

Job responsibilities

Clinical:

• Participate as an investigator in PPMI and other investigator‑led or commercial clinical trials.
• Recruit and consent patients/participants, ensuring adherence to ethical and regulatory standards.
• Provide clinical management of trial participants.
• Support Clinical Research Nurses and Trial Assistants in delivering high‑quality care.
• Perform lumbar punctures and skin biopsies.

Administrative:

• Maintain accurate study documentation in line with Good Clinical Practice.
• Communicate effectively with participants, research teams, sponsors, and regulatory bodies.
• Contribute to study set‑up, including REC applications and approvals.

Research:

• Initiate and deliver a research project aligned with your interests and the unit’s priorities.
• Engage in data analysis, manuscript preparation, and presentation of findings at meetings or conferences.

Flexibility:

• In line with the Trust’s core value of placing patients at the heart of everything we do, we may require staff to adopt a flexible work pattern, including evening and weekend work, when necessary.

Person Specification

Education and Qualifications

• MBBS or other recognised equivalent medical qualifications
• Full GMC registration at the time of application
• MRCP or equivalent
• MRCP Part 1 or equivalent
• Other relevant qualifications (ALS), distinctions, scholarships, prizes, BSc (or equivalent)
• Good Clinical Practice certificate

Clinical Skills and Knowledge

• Good history and examination skills
• Able to formulate a working diagnosis
• Able to order appropriate investigations
• Skilled in performing lumbar punctures unsupervised
• Knows when to appropriately seek assistance from a senior colleague
• Image interpretation relevant to practice
• Previous experience in clinical research/clinical trials
• Additional experience in Neurology or allied Neuroscience specialities

Management and Administration Experience

• Ability to run a service and participate in management processes
• Committed to share in professional, managerial and teaching responsibilities necessary to fulfil the obligations of the Directorate to the Trust and its workforce
• Able to communicate well with patients and colleagues
• Understanding of Clinical Governance
• Proven management and administration ability
• Understanding of management goals
• Experience with audit
• Evidence of leadership / project management
• Evidence of having implemented change

Teaching

• Experience of supervising junior staff
• Ability to teach clinical skills

Clinical Governance, Audit and Research

• Experience of audit projects

Communication, Relationships and Working with Colleagues

• Ability to communicate and liaise effectively with patients and other people within a team
• Ability to work as a team with professional colleagues in all disciplines

Personal Attributes

• Alignment with the Trust’s Values
• Flexible approach to service delivery and committed approach to development
• A commitment to personal/unit CPD
• Honesty, integrity, awareness of ethical dilemmas, respect for confidentiality
• Evidence of leadership skills

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust