Clinical Research Fellow in Motor Neurone Disease

St George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust; London; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Clinical Research Fellow to join their dynamic team in London. This exciting role offers a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience in clinical research while continuing training in neurology. The successful candidate will split their time between research and clinical duties, contributing to vital studies in motor neurone disease. With a focus on providing equitable access to care, you will collaborate with leading neurologists and support patients in a meaningful way. If you are passionate about advancing medical knowledge and improving patient outcomes, this position is perfect for you.

Qualifications

• Experience in Neurology or Stroke Medicine is essential.
• Demonstrable research interest and evidence of academic distinction.

Responsibilities

• Support clinical research studies in motor neuron disease.
• Undertake clinical evaluations and attend relevant clinics.

Skills

Neurology

Stroke Medicine

Clinical Research

Communication Skills

Teamwork

Education

MB BChir (or equivalent)

MRCP(UK)

BA or BSc (or equivalent)

MD or PhD

Tools

Clinical Audit

Research Proposals

Job description

This is an exciting opportunity for a resident doctor to gain experience in clinical research in motor neurone disease, while continuing training in neurology.

Motor neurone disease (MND) is a rare neurological condition that causes the degeneration (deterioration and loss of function) of the motor system (the cells and nerves in the brain and spinal cord which control the muscles in our bodies). This results in weakness and wasting of the muscles which can result in progressive weakness in the arms, legs, speech and swallowing and sometimes breathing. MND is progressive and symptoms worsen over time. Sadly, MND severely reduces life expectancy and most people with MND die within five years of the onset of symptoms.

The aim is to provide excellent and equitable access to clinical care and research across the regions. The network is led by two consultant neurologists with an interested in MND. We are fortunate in South West London and Surrey to have many practitioners in community neurorehabilitation teams and hospices and in ventilation and nutrition services who have experience and expertise in supporting people with MND and a band 7 MND Care Navigator who ensures people living with MND, families, carers and with health and non-health professionals in a timely manner and provide education in MND care throughout the region to ensure equity of high quality care for all.

Main duties of the job

Duties of the post

The role will be split 50:50 between research and clinical duties. A detailed timetable will be agreed with the postholder.

The Clinical Research Fellow will be supporting clinical research studies in motor neuron disease. They will be responsible for recruitment and maintaining governance of trials as well as helping set up new studies.

• To undertake appropriate clinical evaluation of the patients and other tasks for effective running of the research e.g., informed consent, administering rating scales, lumbar punctures
• To attend research meetings and seminars within the group and at scientific conferences
• To assist the Band 7 research nurse in governance and set up of clinical trials
• To undertake any necessary training and/or development
• To plan and contribute to the writing of future research proposals for funding and fellowship applications
• Attend relevant clinics e.g. MND, neuromuscular or dementia, for clinical and research development advances

The Clinical Neurology role will depend on the rotation in the post. There will be opportunity for clinic-based work, acute stroke unit care as well as acute and regional neurology work through the year.

About us

St George's, Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals and Health Group cares for a population of four million people in South West London and North East Surrey. Our sites include St George's Hospital, one of 11 major trauma centres in the UK and the largest healthcare provider and major teaching hospital in the area St Helier Hospital, home to the South West Thames Renal and Transplantation Unit and Queen Mary's Hospital for Children and Epsom Hospital, home to the South West London Elective Orthopaedic Centre (SWLEOC).

After years of collaboration, our two Trusts became a hospitals group in 2021. While remaining as two separate Trusts, being a hospitals group will help us to collaborate more closely on research, and the development, education, and training of our 17,000-strong workforce.

Job description
Job responsibilities

On call duties

All registrars who are on the on call rota are resident on call. The main rota is a 1 in 18 shift system with 1 in 18 nights. Prospective cover applies within neurology and stroke medicine. Additional on call shifts may be available covering other registrars absence and extra shifts as needed in the evenings and weekends. This post would have 50% on call rota slot share.

The clinical duties are to:

cover the neurology/stroke wards

see neurology/stroke referrals, including thrombolysis/thrombectomy calls

contribute to the neurology/stroke on-call rotas (see below)

attend outpatient neurology/stroke clinics (see below)

teach medical students and other staff on the unit.

attend the weekly multidisciplinary meetings.

contribute to departmental research/audit/governance projects

Outpatient clinics

Neurology and stroke outpatient clinics are held in the Atkinson Morley Wing OPD which has 12 examination rooms. Each registrar will have the opportunity to do clinics. There are specialised clinics in all neurological subspecialties. Registrars have the opportunity to observe and assist in these, as well as to observe the recording and interpretation of electroencephalography and other techniques of evoked potentials, including auditory, visual, somatosensory and brainstem.

Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential

• MB BChir (or equivalent)
• MRCP(UK) (or a waiver) This may be waived on very well written applications
• GMC registration

Desirable

• BA or BSc (or equivalent)
• MD or PhD

Clinical Skills
Essential

• Experience in Neurology or Stroke Medicine

Management Skills
Essential

• Willingness to contribute to management

Audit Skills
Essential

• Previous audit
• Willingness to participate in the clinical audit programme

Desirable

• To be computer literate

Clinical Governance
Essential

• To have an understanding of the basic principles of clinical governance

Desirable

• Committed to monitoring and improving clinical quality
• To build a clinical practice which is evidence based

Teaching Skills
Essential

• Must be an enthusiastic teacher
• Interestedinteachingboth undergraduates & postgraduates

Academic Achievement
Essential

• Demonstrable research interest
• Evidence of academic distinction

Desirable

• Papers presented at national and international meetings
• Peer reviewed publications
• Previous research experience GCP training

Personal Skills
Essential

• Ability to work as a member of a team
• Evidence of good communication skills
• Evidence of organisation and motivation
• Probity

Physical Requirements
Essential

• Pre-evaluation health screening

Any attachments will be accessible after you click to apply.

200-SNCT-712823-7114913-JT