Sir Hugh Cairns Complex Spinal Surgery Fellow

Barts Health NHS Trust; Greater London; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading NHS trust in Greater London is offering a senior fellowship in Complex Spinal Surgery, providing in-depth experience in neurosurgical and orthopaedic disciplines. The successful candidate will join a world-class team, participating in complex spinal surgeries and research, with mentorship opportunities. This role requires an MBBS, GMC registration, and a passion for multidisciplinary teamwork and academic activity. Flexible start date and competitive salary based on MN37 scale.

Qualifications

• Interest in neurosurgery.
• Interest in the management of complex spine.
• Current GMC registration with a licence to practice.

Responsibilities

• Participate in complex spinal surgery.
• Attend weekly Complex Spine MDTs.
• Engage in teaching and service improvement.

Skills

Excellent communication skills

Flexible approach to work

Evidence of teamwork

IT literate

Education

MBBS or equivalent

Current GMC registration with a licence to practice

MRCS

Job description

Recruiting Sir Hugh Cairns Complex Spinal Surgery Fellow

The Royal London Hospital, Whitechapel

Start Date: 2026 or 2027 (flexible)
Salary: The salary is based on your nodal point on the MN37 pay scale. The banding for this job is currently 50%.
We are recruiting for both 2026 and/or 2027 fellowships.

WeCare about excellence

Barts Health NHS Trust is offering an outstanding Senior Complex Spinal Surgery Fellowship – the Sir Hugh Cairns Fellowship – approved by the Royal College of Surgeons. This unique 12‑month post provides in-depth experience across both neurosurgical and orthopaedic spinal disciplines, working with a team of internationally recognised spinal surgeons at one of Europe’s busiest Major Trauma Centres. You’ll join a world‑class spinal service managing trauma, metastatic spinal cord compression, complex infection, and acute degenerative conditions. With 18 Complex Spine and Neurosurgery consultants, 50 dedicated neurosurgical beds, state‑of‑the‑art theatres, and close links to the London Air Ambulance, this is an opportunity to advance your surgical, academic and leadership skills in a high‑volume, high‑acuity setting.

Main duties of the job

What you’ll gain:

• Operative exposure across the full spectrum of complex spinal surgery.
• Active participation in weekly Complex Spine MDTs and monthly M&M meetings.
• Protected time for teaching, audit and service improvement.
• Mentorship to strengthen your portfolio for consultant applications (CCT/CESR support).

What we’re looking for:

• GMC registration with licence to practise.
• MBBS or equivalent, MRCS (essential), FRCS (desirable).
• Senior neurosurgical experience (ST8/Post‑CCT or equivalent).
• Demonstrated interest in complex spine surgery.
• Commitment to multidisciplinary teamwork, teaching and academic activity.

Why Barts Health?

• One of the UK’s busiest Major Trauma Centres and home to the London Air Ambulance.
• Close integration with UCL Partners and the Blizard Institute for cutting‑edge research.

For further information or an informal discussion, please contact Mr Suresh Pushpananthan – Consultant Neurosurgeon, [e-mail] (0203) 59 41196.
Mr Jonathan Bull – Consultant Neurosurgeon, [e-mail] (0203) 59 41196.

About us

Barts Health is one of the largest NHS trusts in the country, and one of Britain’s leading healthcare providers.

The Barts Health group of NHS hospitals is entering an exciting new era on our improvement journey to becoming an outstanding organisation with a world‑class clinical reputation. Having lifted ourselves out of special measures, we now have the impetus and breathing space to chart a fresh course in which we are continually striving to improve all our services for patients.

Our vision is to be a high‑performing group of NHS hospitals, renowned for excellence and innovation, and providing safe and compassionate care to our patients in east London and beyond. That means being a provider of excellent patient safety, known for delivering consistently high standards of harm‑free care and always caring for patients in the right place at the right time. It also means being an outstanding place to work, in which our WeCare values and behaviours are visible to all and guide us in how we work together.

We strive to live by our WeCare values and are committed to promoting inclusion, where every staff member has a sense of belonging. We value our differences and fully advocate, cultivate and support an inclusive working environment.

Job description

Job responsibilities

The full job description and the person specification provide an overview of the key tasks and responsibilities of the role, outlining the qualification, skills, experience and knowledge required. Please view the attachment below.

Please be advised that the vacancy advertisement may close early if a sufficient number of applications are received. Therefore, we recommend that you submit your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

Person Specification

Qualifications / Higher Qualifications

Essential

• MBBS or equivalent.
• Current GMC registration with a licence to practice.
• MRCS.

Desirable

• BSc.
• FRCS.

Knowledge / Specialist clinical expertise

Essential

• An interest in neurosurgery.
• An interest in the management of complex spine.

Desirable

• Experience in neurosurgery at registrar/ST4-7 level.
• Research in neurosciences related subjects.

Training Expected

Essential

• ALS.

Desirable

• ATLS.

Management / Audit Experience

Essential

• An interest in clinical audit and research.

Academic Achievements

Essential

• Evidence of academic work outside MBBS course.

Desirable

• MD / PhD.
• Prizes.

Research / Publications

Desirable

• Peer reviewed publications reflecting audit or research.

Personal Skills

Essential

• Excellent communication skills.
• Flexible approach to work and evidence of team working.
• IT literate.

Desirable

• Familiarity with databases.

Personal qualities

Essential

• Self‑motivated.
• Able to work under pressure.
• Able to work as part of a team.
• Reliable and dependable.

Desirable

• Creative.
• Adaptable.
• Flexible.

Any attachments will be accessible after you click to apply.

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