Clinical Research Fellow in Medical Oncology

at  The Christie NHS Foundation Trust

Clinical Research Fellow in hepatopancreaticobiliary and neuroendocrine neoplasms
This role will allow senior medical trainees to work within the hepatopancreaticobiliary and neuroendocrine neoplasm disease group at The Christie NHS Foundation Trust. This coordinated research expansion plan sits under the umbrella of the Systemic Therapy Research Group, which aims to substantially increase research output within the Department of Medical Oncology, through increased delivery of innovative investigator-led studies driven by The Christie NHS Foundation Trust. A key part of this process is to encourage education and empowerment of research staff at all levels, which includes training the next generation of cancer research leaders.
These positions are suitable for enthusiastic and research-motivated applicants with a Medical degree, who are pursuing a career in Medical Oncology and have an interest in gaining further research and clinical trial experience in Hepatopancreaticobiliary and neuroendocrine neoplasms.
Candidates must hold full General Medical Council (GMC) registration and have International English Language Testing System (IELTS) proficiency at the time of post commencement, as appropriate. This Fellowship is a two year, full-time position, to support clinical research in this disease group and to provide specialist experience and training in the relevant disease areas for the successful applicants.
Depending on the projects, the successful applicant will need to divide their time between research and a moderate clinical commitment; this may involve clinical research and audit activities, including protocol-writing.
The post will be based within the Department of Medical Oncology under the supervision of a consultant clinician.
The post-holder will work closely with other members of the respective multidisciplinary teams and will support the consultants, clinical fellows, specialist registrar, nurses, nurse clinicians, trial co-ordinators and clinical research nurses in managing the disease group clinical trial portfolios. This will facilitate more rapid clinical decision making, an increase in the number of trials opened, together with increased recruitment of patients into new and existing research protocols.
Fellows will attend appropriate clinics per week (a maximum of two research and two NHS clinics), and multidisciplinary meetings. In addition, they will participate in clinical research meetings and any other relevant trial planning or trial set-up meetings. Fellows will also spend time reviewing clinical data, writing abstracts/manuscripts, planning new studies and attending educational meetings.
The disease sites treated by the hepatopancreaticobiliary and neuroendocrine disease group include hepatocellular carcinoma, pancreas cancer, biliary tract cancers [cholangiocarcinoma and gallbladder cancer] and neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs). The group has an active clinical research programme (Phase I-III), with close links with basic research laboratories in the Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute. There are around 500 new patient HPB/NEN referrals received per year and approximately 25% of all patients are entered into clinical trials.
This group has an international reputation in the treatment of patients with NENs and is accredited as a Centre of Excellence by the European NET Society (ENETS). The fellow will have the opportunity to gain clinical experience in the management of patients with a HPB and NEN diagnosis in this world-leading specialist centre. In addition, the candidate will be encouraged and supported to become actively involved in the research activities of the unit and to undertake audits, service evaluation or quality improvement projects, develop proposals for grant applications and become involved in on-going clinical and translational research, and will be encouraged to develop their own projects and clinical trials, with the goal of presenting this work in abstract (national and international) and manuscript form.

Depending on the projects, the successful applicant will need to divide their time between research and a moderate clinical commitment; this may involve clinical research and audit activities, including protocol-writing.
The post will be based within the Department of Medical Oncology under the supervision of a consultant clinician.
The post-holder will work closely with other members of the respective multidisciplinary teams and will support the consultants, clinical fellows, specialist registrar, and clinical research nurses in managing the disease group clinical trial portfolios. This will facilitate more rapid clinical decision making, an increase in the number of trials opened, together with increased recruitment of patients into new and existing research protocols.
Fellows will attend appropriate clinics per week ( a maximum of two research and two NHS clinics ), and multidisciplinary meetings. In addition, they will participate in clinical research meetings and any other relevant trial planning or trial set-up meetings. Fellows will also spend time reviewing clinical data, writing abstracts/manuscripts, planning new studies and attending educational meetings.
Key accountabilities
Clinical Research fellows will have the following opportunities within the Department of Medical Oncology:
Audit: Fellows play a key role in Clinical Audit as a member of The Christie Medical staff.
Clinics : Research fellows in Medical Oncology usually attend a number of outpatient clinics per week (seeing new referrals, follow-ups and patients on clinical trials) and are expected to undertake the administrative duties associated with the care of these patients.
Clinical Governance: Fellows are expected to participate in all relevant aspects of clinical governance, including maintaining up-to-date protocols, guidelines and clinical audit, under the supervision of the Consultants in the disease group.
Education: There are numerous courses organised annually by the School of Oncology at The Christie. Please refer to The School of Oncology website: http://www.christie.nhs.uk/school-of-oncology.aspx
In addition, there is an annual research event where all Medical Oncology fellows are encouraged to present their on-going research and a little about themselves. There are also weekly teaching sessions in practical life skills related to Medical Oncology, such as interview skills, oral presentation skills, curriculum vitae preparation, media training, career development etc.
Professional Development : Fellows should also maintain a level of continuing professional development consistent with the recommendations of the Royal College of Physicians. Appropriate arrangements for study leave will be made in conjunction with colleagues. There is the potential to attend national/international meetings (when this is an option) to present research work and fellows are expected to be involved in writing papers and reviews, and will also be required to undergo an annual appraisal.
Protocol Development: Fellows may also assist with the revision and development of evidence-based clinical trial protocols for patients.
Research: There are excellent opportunities for research within the Department. Fellows are encouraged to contribute to current research projects within the unit and/or set up new projects. The Manchester Cancer Research Centre has been established to bring together the expertise, ambition and resources of partner organisations, which include the University of Manchester, the Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute, Cancer Research UK, in addition to The Christie NHS Foundation Trust.
Post holders are committed to delivering at least four of the following:
Successfully complete a clinical audit.
Actively participate in at least one national or international meeting (abstract presentation).
Successfully publish at least two first-author peer-reviewed manuscripts.
Aid income generation through assistance in development and writing of investigator-led studies/grant applications for research projects.
Increase the international profile of the Disease Group, The Christie School of Oncology and The Christie Medical Oncology Fellowship programme.
Representation from The Christie on international professional committee