Job overview

Clinical research fellow in Neurology

This fellowship is a great training opportunity for those looking to augment their neurology experience or wishing to develop a clinical and/or research interest in the clinical neurosciences (neurology). The start date is 7th August 2024, and the post is for one year.

The post-holder will join a distinguished neuroscience research team working across the Trust and University, studying the interaction between blood and brain in health and neurological disease, especially inflammatory and haemorrhagic brain conditions. The group publishes multiple four-star manuscripts annually. Research benefits from a wet laboratory with biochemical, molecular and histochemical capability, image-processing workstations, and access to high-performance supercomputing, a research-dedicated MRI scanner, and other facilities. The fellow will join the CRN Wessex Research Fellow programme, within the Southampton Academy of Research (SoAR), to gain the necessary skills to deliver high-quality portfolio research activity throughout their future career.

Main duties of the job

YOUR MAIN DUTIES

Attached you will find the person specification document which provides more detail about the essential and desirable skills and experience needed for this role. We highly recommend you review this document and use it when completing your application as these criteria are used by hiring managers as guidance during shortlisting.

For an overview of the main duties of the role please see the ‘Job Description and Main Responsibilities’ section below. To understand the day-to-day responsibilities in more detail please read the full job description document attached.

Working for our organisation

WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU

As one of the largest acute teaching Trusts in England, we offer learning and development opportunities to help you achieve the career you aspire to. UHS is rated ‘Good’ by the CQC and in the latest national NHS Staff Survey, we were in the top 10 acute trusts for staff engagement and for staff recommending the hospital as a place to work or receive care. 

We support flexible working and will consider requests taking into account the needs of the service. UHS employees are able to access a range of NHS discounts, are entitled to a minimum of 35 days paid holiday (pro rata), and we offer a generous pension scheme.

Southampton is an attractive place to live and work situated on the south coast, with an international airport and direct trains to London. The New Forest National Park and beaches of the Jurassic coast are also right on our doorstep. The city offers living costs 20% lower than London and 14 schools rated outstanding by Ofsted.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES

WHAT YOU’LL DO

The post will be 50% clinical and 50% research.

The research time will be spent on: (1) research service provision providing medical support and cover to neurology NIHR portfolio studies under the supervision of Professor Ian Galea, and in liaison with the research and development support team, (2) planning and executing the post-holder’s clinical research career development, which could involve for example designing one’s own research project, gathering preliminary data, and/or preparing a fellowship funding application. The post-holder is expected to participate in the CRN Wessex Research Fellow Education Programme, which includes quarterly Wessex-wide research fellow meetings, participation in the competency-based approach to training and development opportunities (see below for further detail). Progress reports will help development, and include details of research recruitment, grant applications, publications and achievement of research fellow competencies.

The remaining 50% of time will be spent providing clinical support in the Wessex Neurological Centre (WNC) under the supervision of Dr Dr Rutaba Haque Eshita, and other neurology consultants. The Wessex Neurological Centre is a tertiary centre of excellence providing neurological care in a variety of neurology subspecialties, and serving a population catchment of 3.5 million. Exposure will be broad, across neurology and neurosurgery, providing a good basis for early training. Activities will include looking after inpatients as part of consultant-led teams, and participating in audit, the weekly academic programme and continuing professional education. The post-holder will be expected to attend a weekly consultant-led teaching session. There will be opportunity to attend weekly neurology outpatients and see neurology outpatients under supervision for training purposes.

WHAT WE’RE LOOKING FOR

We are looking for a GMC-registered medical doctor, with an interest in neurology. The ideal candidate would have successfully completed a Foundation Programme or equivalent. It is most suited for candidates applying between Foundation and IMT, or between IMT and neurology speciality training. You would be able to manage acute medical emergencies. Fluency in written and spoken English is essential. You will have an ability to prioritise tasks, work across different specialties and teams, recognize your own abilities and limitations, and communicate effectively with team members, patients and their carers. Royal College of Physicians membership is desirable but not essential. Prior experience of research and/or Neurology would be an asset, but this post is also ideal for those seeking their first clinical research and/ or neurology experience.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Appointment will be made under local contractual terms and conditions of service for Trust appointed (non-training fellow doctors and dentists).

Successful candidates will have an educational framework equivalent to training grade doctors, and there will be a named educational supervisor assigned at the start of the post. The opportunity for Continued Professional Development (CPD) is highly supported and encouraged by the Trust, with options available to take study leave. All licensed doctors must meet the GMC requirements for revalidation and there will be an annual appraisal to support this process.

Grades for Trust appointed (non-training) fellows will be paid a basic salary at a nodal pay point linked to the grade, at the rate set out in the National Medical and Dental pay circular. Basic salary detailed below plus any additional remuneration (as applicable) for hours set out in the doctors work schedule (e.g. additional hours, weekend allowance, and any hours which attract enhanced pay)

Basic Salary -  MT03        £43,923    

Travelling expenses will not be paid for attending interview

Please note that GMC registration (with a licence to practice) and right to work in the UK are essential for this role.  Successful applicants will already have GMC registration or will be able to demonstrate they are eligible.  Applicants requiring Tier 2 sponsorship should ensure they meet the Home Office application criteria prior to submitting an application. 

Interviews will be held on  Thursday, 16 May 2024

Job Reference: MT1132-MEDICAL This vacancy closes on or before:06/05/2024

Person specification

Qualifications and training

Essential criteria

• MBBS or equivalent medical qualification
• GMC registration with a licence to practise
• Completion of Foundation programme
• Advanced Life Support Certification

Desirable criteria

• MRCP (Part 1 or full)
• BSc / MSc / PhD
• Good Clinical Practice certificate
• Completion of IMT programme

Previous or relevant experience

Essential criteria

• Proven ability to manage acute medical emergencies
• High proficiency in intravenous cannulation

Desirable criteria

• Experience working in neurology
• Clinical trials experience
• Experience in multiple sclerosis
• Publications in peer-reviewed scientific journals
• Ultrasound-guided intravenous cannulation

Aptitudes and skills

Essential criteria

• Evidence and ability to work effectively in multi-professional teams
• Fluency in written and spoken English

Living the Trust values

Essential criteria

• Able to demonstrate behaviours that meet the Trust Values: Patients First, Always Improving, Working Together

Please be advised that this vacancy may close earlier than stated if large numbers of applications are received.

Due to the volume of applications we receive, we are unable to acknowledge receipt of your application. If you have not heard from us within four weeks of the closing date of this post, please presume that you have not been selected for interview.

Applicants from University Hospitals Southampton NHS Foundation Trust whose posts are considered to be ‘At Risk’ will be given prior consideration for this post

Our Trust runs the return to practice course each year for nurses who have been out of the profession and wish to return. To find out more please visit our website:

http://www.uhs.nhs.uk/WorkingHere/Typesofjob/Nurses/Returntonursing.aspx

http://www.discoversouthampton.co.uk/   Information on Southampton as a place to live and enjoy

https://www.uhs-vle.co.uk/   See what fantastic training and development we have on offer at UHS

http://www.youtube.com/user/SouthamptonHospitals learn about the Trust through visiting our YouTube channel 

Getting to Work

Application can be made for parking on site at UHS or through one of the park and ride schemes. This will be based on specific criteria to determine eligibility for site parking as this can be very limited.  UHS encourages staff to utilise other green methods of getting to work such as cycling or walking where possible. UHS is well connected through bus services to the city centre and other areas.

Please note that we will not accept any applications or queries via agencies, under any circumstances.

Our staff are positive about working at UHS and rate us above average compared to other NHS Trusts in the Staff Attitude Survey. We are rated strongly on a number of areas including teamwork, communication and engagement.

Equality remains at the centre of all Trust policy making, service delivery and employment practice with all employees being given equality of opportunity to develop, apply for promotion and have working arrangements that enable them to achieve a manageable work-life balance.

The Trust actively promotes a work environment free from harassment and discrimination and provides training for managers and staff to ensure this happens. The Trust also closely monitors recruitment activity, training and development and employment practices to ensure equality of practice with regard to race, colour, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief, gender, sexual orientation, disability, marital status and age.

As a service provider the Trust ensures equality of access and delivery of our services through the provision of interpreter services, facilities for the disabled and sensitivity for patients ethnic and religious differences and needs.

Relocating to Southampton

If you are thinking of moving to the Hampshire area, please find below a link to our website which offers guidance on finding accommodation:

http://www.uhs.nhs.uk/relocating-to-southampton

The Trust is under a duty to protect the public funds it administers, and to this end may use the information you have provided on this form for the prevention and detection of fraud. It may also share this information with other bodies responsible for auditing or administering public funds for these purposes.