Junior Corneal Fellow | University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust

University Hospital Southampton NHS FT; Southampton; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading NHS Foundation Trust in Southampton is offering a fixed-term position for a Junior Fellow in Ophthalmology. The role focuses on corneal subspecialties, providing opportunities for advanced training in various surgical techniques and strong support for continued professional development. Ideal for those with completed advanced training and an interest in cornea-related clinics. The position offers NHS benefits and a supportive work environment.

Benefits

Minimum of 35 days paid holiday

NHS discounts

Generous pension scheme

Qualifications

• Completion of advanced training in anterior segment, cornea, and glaucoma management.
• Experience with various keratoplasties and exposure to DMEK.
• Solid understanding of immunosuppression and its systemic effects.

Responsibilities

• Develop care levels in line with NICE guidance.
• Collaborate with consultants and support service development.
• Maintain reviews of corneal in-patient admissions.

Skills

Experience with lamellar keratoplasty

Training in immunosuppression

Interest in cornea and related subspecialties

Education

Completed advanced training in Ophthalmology

Job description

Overview

University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust is delighted to offer a fixed term opportunity. The position commences in December 2025.

The University Southampton Hospitals NHS Trust is recruiting for a Junior Fellow in Ophthalmology with a subspecialty focus on Cornea.

Role and responsibilities

• Develop primary, secondary, and tertiary level care in line with current NICE guidance.
• Work with existing colleagues to enhance the clinical and academic excellence of care provided by University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust.
• Be involved in a unit that specializes in lamellar keratoplasty and performs a high volume of endothelial keratoplasties (both routine and complex), penetrating keratoplasties, and DALKs annually; gain experience as DMEK is introduced.
• Gain experience in refractive cataract surgery and secondary lens implantation, including toric lenses.
• Receive training in immunosuppression and develop a good understanding of general medicine, particularly the systemic side effects of immunosuppressants.
• Receive training in advanced anterior segment imaging methods such as Corneal Confocal Microscopy, Specular Microscopy, and Anterior Segment UBM.
• Collaborate with three consultant ophthalmologists, associate specialists, fellows, trainees, optometrists and specialist nurses on the corneal firm to support continuous service development.
• Maintain regular reviews of corneal in-patient admissions and coordinate with the appropriate consultant, including following up on pathology/microbiology results and managing infectious complications such as corneal perforation.

Training, development and supervision

• We offer learning and development opportunities to help you achieve your career goals. An educational supervisor will be assigned at the start of the post, and there is strong support for Continued Professional Development (CPD) with options for study leave.
• Educational framework aligned with training grade doctors; salary and terms set under local contractual terms for Trust appointed (non-training) fellows. Details on salary are linked to the National Medical and Dental pay circular and the doctors’ work schedule.

Qualifications and criteria

• Completed advanced training in Ophthalmology with emphasis on the anterior segment, cornea, and glaucoma management.
• Experience with lamellar keratoplasty, endothelial keratoplasties, penetrating keratoplasties, DALKs, and exposure to DMEK.
• Training in immunosuppression and a good understanding of systemic effects of immunosuppressants.
• Interest in cornea and related subspecialties, with willingness to participate in a range of clinics including outpatient, theatre, and virtual clinics.

Site, working arrangements and benefits

• Outpatient clinics on the main SGH site and community clinics at peripheral sites; optional independent or supervised theatre sessions depending on experience; virtual clinics ongoing; potential sessions for collagen cross-linking and YAG laser (PI and SLT).
• Flexible working considered in consideration of service needs.
• NHS discounts, a minimum of 35 days paid holiday (pro rata), and a generous pension scheme.
• Southampton is a coastal city with good transport links, proximity to the New Forest National Park and Jurassic Coast beaches, and relatively lower living costs than London.

Selection process and timeline

• Interviews will be held on 22 October 2025.
• Recruitment close date: 6 October 2025; advert closes Tue 7 Oct 2025.

Please refer to the attached Job Description and Person Specification for a detailed breakdown of key responsibilities, role expectations, and the qualifications required.