Clinical Research Fellow

The University of Sheffield is a remarkable place to work. Our people are at the heart of everything we do. Their diverse backgrounds, abilities and beliefs make Sheffield a world-class university.

We offer a fantastic range of benefits including a highly competitive annual leave entitlement (with the ability to purchase more), a generous pensions scheme, flexible working opportunities, a commitment to your development and wellbeing, a wide range of retail discounts, and much more. Find out more about our benefits (opens in a new window) and join us to become part of something special.

Overview
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a highly motivated clinical trainee interested in Neurology research to join our Motor Neuron Disease (MND) / Neurodegeneration clinical research programme. This post will be predominantly patient focused, playing a key role in helping to deliver cutting edge gene therapy and experimental medicine trials. The ability to implement good clinical practice is therefore essential. 
You will have the opportunity to be part of the NIHR Sheffield Biomedical Research Centre (Translational Neuroscience for Chronic Neurological Disorders) Junior Academy and gain an appreciation of a wide variety of translational neuroscience research programmes. 

You will have the opportunity to develop your own research project aligned to the interests of the MND group.

Main duties and responsibilities

• Design, develop and refine experiments in translational neuroscience research in order to obtain reliable data.
• Assist in experimental medicine studies and other clinical trials as required.
• Assist in the collection, documentation and analysis of biosamples.
• Analyse and record clinical data to aid the design of the research data.
• Prepare papers for journals / presentations either in-house or at national / international conferences or seminars to disseminate research findings.
• Write supporting documents to contribute to and support the work of the Research Group, e.g. reports and interim reports. Carry out administrative roles as required.
• Provide help to other researchers in the same laboratory in related field of research.
• Read academic papers, journals and textbooks and attend conferences to keep abreast of developments.
• Participate in one weekly clinic session per week.
• Attend StR Neurology training days.
• Plan for specific aspects of the research programme as discussed with the fellowship supervisor.
• Contribute to research group planning.
• For each particular hypothesis, plan for own contribution up to three months ahead, incorporating issues such as the availability of resources, deadlines, project milestones and overall research aims.
• Design individual experiments and work-plan weekly.
• Coordinate and liaise with other members of the research group over work progress. Supervise research team/activities if required.
• Continuously monitor and check results with daily planning to accommodate new developments.
• Plan several months in advance to meet deadlines for journal publications and to prepare presentations and papers for conferences.
• Carry out other duties, commensurate with the grade and remit of the post

Person Specification
Our diverse community of staff and students recognises the unique abilities, backgrounds, and beliefs of all. We foster a culture where everyone feels they belong and is respected. Even if your past experience doesn't match perfectly with this role's criteria, your contribution is valuable, and we encourage you to apply. Please ensure that you reference the application criteria in the application statement when you apply.

Further Information
Grade                         Clinical Academic Trainee
Salary                         £52,656 to £73,992 per annum
Work arrangement    Full-time
Duration                     12 months
Line manager             Professor of Translational Neurology, NIHR Research Professor, Director NIHR Sheffield Biomedical Research Centre
Our website                 http://sitran.org

For informal enquiries about this job contact:
Professor Christopher McDermott (Professor of Translational Neurology, NIHR Research Professor, Director NIHR Sheffield Biomedical Research Centre) on dee.morris@sheffield.ac.uk (secretary - Dee Morris) or on 0114 222 2262

Next steps in the recruitment process
It is anticipated that the selection process will take place within 3 weeks of the closing date. This will consist of an interview and presentation.  We plan to let candidates know if they have progressed to the selection stage within 1 week of the closing date. If you need any support, equipment or adjustments to enable you to participate in any element of the recruitment process you can contact Jennifer Newton (foh-staffing@sheffield.ac.uk).

Our vision and strategic plan
We are the University of Sheffield. This is our vision: sheffield.ac.uk/vision (opens in new window).

What we offer
   A minimum of 41 days annual leave including bank holiday and closure days (pro rata) with the ability to purchase more.
   Flexible working opportunities, including hybrid working for some roles.
   Generous pension scheme.
   A wide range of discounts and rewards on shopping, eating out and travel.
   A variety of staff networks, providing opportunities for social interaction, peer support and personal development (for example, Race Equality, LGBT+, Women's and Parent's networks).
   Recognition Awards to reward staff who go above and beyond in their role.
   A commitment to your development access to learning and mentoring schemes integrated with our Academic Career Pathways
   A range of generous family-friendly policies
o    paid time off for parenting and caring emergencies
o    support for those going through the menopause
o    paid time off and support for fertility treatment
o    and more

More details can be found on our benefits page: sheffield.ac.uk/jobs/benefits (opens in a new window).

We are a Disability Confident Employer. If you have a disability and meet the essential criteria for this job you will be invited to take part in the next stage of the selection process.

Criminal record

An enhanced DBS check will be needed for this role. More details on the checks can be found on the Government website: gov.uk/criminal-record-checks-apply-role (opens in a new window).

Possession of a criminal record is not an automatic bar to employment at the University of Sheffield. We recognise the value of steady employment in the rehabilitation process and examine each case in its own right. More information can be found on our Information for candidates' page: - sheffield.ac.uk/jobs/candidates (opens in a new window).

Job Advert

What We Offer

The University of Sheffield is a remarkable place to work. Our people are at the heart of everything we do. Their diverse backgrounds, abilities and beliefs make Sheffield a world-class university.

We offer a fantastic range of benefits including a highly competitive annual leave entitlement (with the ability to purchase more), a generous pensions scheme, flexible working opportunities, a commitment to your development and wellbeing, a wide range of retail discounts, and much more.

Find out more at sheffield.ac.uk/jobs/benefits and join us to become part of something special.

Our Facilities

The NIHR Sheffield Biomedical Research Centre (BRC) is a partnership between Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (STH) and the University of Sheffield awarded in April 2017. It is the vehicle for conducting innovative translational medical science research to drive through improvements in health and healthcare and encourages closer working with industry. The NIHR BRC in Sheffield has a focus on translational neuroscience and hosts the development of new, ground-breaking treatments, diagnostics, prevention and care for patients suffering from debilitating diseases such as dementia, motor neuron disease, stroke, multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease.

The successful applicant will integrate with a multidisciplinary team of research clinicians and scientists with expertise in an array of cutting-edge biological and clinical research techniques at the state-of-the-art Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience (SITraN), University of   Sheffield and the Academic Directorate of Neurosciences, Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

The post offers a comprehensive experience of clinical academic Neurology, working alongside internationally renowned Clinicians and Neuroscientists. The appointee(s) will have the opportunity to learn the principles and practice of experimental medicine clinical trials. Candidates are expected to be highly motivated, enthusiastic individuals wishing to excel in both clinical and academic training and with the ambition to be amongst the next generation of leading academic Neurologists.

The post is aimed towards pre- or post-MRCP candidates who have an interest in Neurology as a future career path. Candidates may be at Fellowship level for those aiming to undertake a PhD.

Research and Teaching

All members of the academic department are expected to be research active. The group has a number of research interests and involvement with any of these will be encouraged. There is ample opportunity for help with supervision during research, but you will be expected to be involved with the process of raising funds for your research. This will be done in consultation with Professor Christopher McDermott, Professor Pamela Shaw and colleagues. You will be expected to:

• Contribute fully as teacher, researcher and leader, in fulfilment of the ideals of the Sheffield Academic' ( http://www.shef.ac.uk/hr/sheffieldacademic/statement.html ).
• Contribute to the undergraduate and postgraduate teaching programmes of the school.
• Undertake assessment of students and have personal mentoring responsibilities for a small group of students on the MBChB programme.
• Develop specific research interest to achieve the status of a national / international expert.
• Applications from candidates with an interest in motor neuron disease/ neurodegeneration are particularly welcome.
• Contribute to the conduct of experimental medicine studies in neurodegeneration.
• Secure peer-reviewed competitive funding for research projects.
• Achieve an optimal standard of academic contribution by publishing research findings in high ranking scientific and specialty journals and routinely appraising the literature.
• Aim to obtain funding for a senior research fellowship, e.g. Clinician Scientist Award towards the end of training
• Gain experience and expertise in giving academic seminars and lectures.
• Develop time-management skills, and achieve a balance between clinical, research and teaching duties throughout the appointment and beyond.

The post will be based in the Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience ( http://sitran.org ) at the University of Sheffield and Sheffield Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.

We build teams of people from different heritages and lifestyles from across the world, whose talent and contributions complement each other to greatest effect. We believe diversity in all its forms delivers greater impact through research, teaching and student experience.

We are a research university with a global reputation for excellence. Our ideas and expertise change the world for the better, making a real difference to society. We know that when people come together with different views, approaches and insights it can lead to richer, more creative and innovative teaching and research and the highest levels of student experience. Our University Vision ( www.sheffield.ac.uk/vision ) outlines our commitment to building a diverse community of staff and students that recognises and values the abilities, backgrounds, beliefs and ways of living for everyone.