Clinical Research Fellow in Neurology

St George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust; London; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job description

This is an exciting opportunity for a resident doctor considering a career in neurology to gain experience in clinical research, while continuing training in neurology. The post holder will divide their time equally between research and clinical duties. The post is suitable for doctors coming to the end of their IMT training or in higher specialist training who want to take time out of full-time clinical work and develop research skills. The post will be equally shared between clinical neurology research, clinical experience, and teaching.

Within research, the post holder will support the current research team of nurses, coordinators, and principal investigators to build on our strong foundations. They will support the expansion of our portfolio of early phase trials through our recently awarded NIHR Clinical Research Facility. The role includes recruiting participants, following up in research studies, and supporting research nurses with portfolio management. The postholder will work closely with the principal investigators of assigned studies, enabling dedicated teaching time and clinic-based work to continue with training requirements.

Within clinical neurology, the post holder will be part of the neurology junior doctors' team at a registrar level, attending wards, clinics, and on-call services in stroke and neurology.

Main duties of the job

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

The Clinical Research Fellow will support clinical research studies in motor neuron disease, neuromuscular diseases, epilepsy, and dementia. Responsibilities include recruitment, governance of trials, and helping to set up new studies.

• Undertake appropriate clinical evaluation of patients and other tasks for effective research operations, e.g., informed consent, administering rating scales, lumbar punctures.
• Attend research meetings and seminars within the group and at scientific conferences.
• Assist the Band 7 research nurse in governance and setup of clinical trials.
• Undertake necessary training and development.
• Contribute to writing future research proposals for funding and fellowships.
• Attend relevant clinics (e.g., MND, neuromuscular, dementia) for clinical and research development.

The clinical neurology role will depend on the rotation. Opportunities include clinic-based work, acute stroke unit care, and regional neurology work over two years.

On call duties

All registrars on the on-call rota are resident on call, operating on a 1 in 18 shift system including nights. Additional shifts may be available, covering absences and extra shifts in evenings and weekends. Sometimes, on-call rota slots are shared.

The clinical duties include:

• Covering neurology/stroke wards.
• Seeing neurology/stroke referrals, including thrombolysis/thrombectomy calls.
• Contributing to neurology/stroke on-call rotas.
• Attending outpatient neurology/stroke clinics.
• Teaching medical students and staff on the unit.
• Attending weekly multidisciplinary meetings.
• Contributing to research, audit, and governance projects.

Outpatient clinics

Clinics are held in the Atkinson Morley Wing OPD with 12 examination rooms. Each registrar can conduct clinics, including specialized clinics in neurological subspecialties. Opportunities include observing and assisting in procedures like EEG and evoked potentials.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• MB BChir (or equivalent)
• MRCP(UK) (or waiver, which may be granted for well-written applications)
• GMC registration
• BA or BSc (or equivalent)
• MD or PhD

Clinical Skills

• Experience in Neurology or Stroke Medicine
• Willingness to contribute to management

Audit Skills

• Willingness to participate in clinical audits
• Computer literate

Clinical Governance

• Understanding of clinical governance principles
• Committed to monitoring and improving clinical quality
• Building evidence-based clinical practice

Teaching Skills

• Enthusiastic teaching approach

Academic Achievement

• Research interest
• Evidence of academic distinction
• Presentations at national/international meetings