Fellow in Cleft Lip and Palate Surgery

NHS; Bristol; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 74,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare provider in the UK is offering a 12-month fellowship in Cleft Lip and Palate Surgery. The position involves attending multidisciplinary clinics, participating in surgical procedures, and contributing to research and teaching. Ideal candidates will hold relevant qualifications such as MB BS and MRCS, and have demonstrated skills in cleft surgery. This role represents an excellent opportunity to gain experience in a specialized field within a supportive environment.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience in cleft lip and palate surgery above standard training level.
• Awareness of own limitations and broad experience in and outside specialty.
• Information technology skills and attendance at non-obligatory training courses.

Responsibilities

• Attend all multidisciplinary clinics at the hub unit in Bristol.
• Participate in operating lists to gain competence in cleft surgery techniques.
• Join the research team at The Cleft Collective and undertake research.

Skills

Good manual skills and hand/eye coordination

Experience in clinical risk management

Competent to work without direct supervision where appropriate

Clear, logical thinking with an analytical/scientific approach

Experience working in multi‑professional teams

Particular skill in cleft lip and palate surgery

Attendance at relevant courses

Education

MB BS / MB CHB or equivalent

MRCS

Intercollegiate Specialty Examination (Plastic Surgery/ ENT/ OMFS) or equivalent

Job description

Job Summary

An excellent opportunity has arisen to provide a 12 months fellowship in Cleft Lip and Palate Surgery, following an exciting collaboration between The South West Cleft Services, The Cleft Collective and Craniofacial Australia.

The South West Cleft Services based at the University Hospital North Bristol and Weston NHS Trust in Bristol is one of the 9 national cleft centres catering for patients with cleft lip and palate from the South West of England. We are accredited to provide the whole spectrum of care including surgery, psychology, speech therapy, dental and orthodontic care and specialist cleft nurse support. The hub unit at Bristol accepts referrals from the South West of England. Outreach clinics take place in Gloucester, Taunton, Exeter, Plymouth and Truro throughout the year. We treat 70+ new babies per annum and also manage a significant caseload of children and adults with non-cleft related VPD. We host specialist clinics for 22q11 deletion, regular nasendoscopy and videofluoroscopy speech investigation clinics, and manage a growing case load of patients with craniofacial deformities.

Main Duties

Cleft clinics: The Fellow will attend all multidisciplinary clinics at the hub unit in Bristol, along with peripheral clinics, speech investigation clinics, and cleft audit clinics. All aspects of patient management are covered.

Operative Surgery: The Fellow will attend operating lists at Bristol Royal Hospital for Children and Bristol Royal Infirmary to gain competence, including managing complications, in the techniques of primary and secondary cleft surgery standardised in the unit. The Fellow will fully participate in pre‑ and post‑operative care of patients.

Research Responsibilities: The Fellow will join the research team at The Cleft Collective and spend 1.5 days undertaking research. A research project will be allocated at the start of the fellowship, following discussion with the research team and clinical supervisors.

Teaching: The Fellow will contribute to the teaching of undergraduate medical students, core surgical trainees and higher surgical trainees through lectures or tutorials and participate in developing teaching materials.

Employer

University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust (UHBW) is one of the largest acute Trusts in the country, serving >500,000 people across South West England. UHBW is a forward‑thinking, award‑winning Trust with a strong focus on research and innovation. We are an equal opportunities employer committed to a diverse workforce and safeguarding children, young people and vulnerable adults.

Employment Details

Date posted: 18 December 2025

Pay scheme: Hospital medical and dental staff

Grade: Doctor – other

Salary: £65,048 to £73,992 per annum

Contract type: Fixed term

Duration: 12 months

Working pattern: Full‑time

Location: Bristol Dental Hospital, Bristol, BS1 2LY

Qualifications and Experience

• MB BS / MB CHB or equivalent
• MRCS
• Intercollegiate Specialty Examination (Plastic Surgery/ ENT/ OMFS) or equivalent

Professional Knowledge and Experience

• Appropriate level of clinical knowledge
• Knowledge of evidence‑informed practice
• Awareness of own limitations
• Broad experience and awareness in and outside specialty
• Information technology skills
• Attendance at non‑obligatory training courses
• Demonstrated experience in cleft lip and palate surgery above standard training level

Skills and Abilities

• Good manual skills and hand/eye coordination
• Experience in clinical risk management
• Competent to work without direct supervision where appropriate
• Clear, logical thinking with an analytical/scientific approach
• Experience working in multi‑professional teams
• Particular skill in cleft lip and palate surgery
• Attendance at relevant courses

Additional Aptitudes

• Ability to prioritise clinical need
• Ability to organise own work
• Active involvement in audit
• Research experience, presentations, publications, prizes and honours
• Paper or presentation at a national or international meeting or publication in a peer‑review journal
• Evidence of teaching experience
• Enthusiasm for teaching; exposure to different groups and teaching methods

Disclosure and Sponsorship

This post requires a Disclosure and Barring Service check as per the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975. Applications from job seekers requiring skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered. For further information visit: https://www.uhbw.nhs.uk/.