Applications are invited for Clinical Trials Fellows to support Research and Development (R&D) in The Lind Research Centre and other clinical trials settings at University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust (UHP), Devon, UK. Derriford Hospital is the tertiary centre for the South West Peninsula. Plymouth and the surrounding districts comprise a population of 450,000. There is easy access to the coast and Dartmoor national park, with a favorable climate.
The post provides an ideal opportunity for doctors interested in progressing their careers through research & clinical trials. The posts also offer an opportunity to gain an insight into research for those taking time out before progression in core or specialty clinical training. Our fellows in recent years have progressed on to specialty training or NIHR academic clinical fellowship posts in their specialty of choice.
The post of Clinical Trials Fellow is for an experienced doctor (ideally with at least 2 years post foundation training).
Start date of the post(s) is August 2025 for a period of 12 months.
Main duties of the job
The post would involve provision of medical cover to a multitude of clinical trials, mostly running at the James Lind Research Centre. We have a large and varied trials portfolio spanning across a number of specialties, for example, neurology, asthma, hepatology, diabetes, stroke, and cardiology. Recently we have broadened our research offer to the community through our mobile research unit and now include large scale vaccine trials and trials in primary care, in collaboration with GP partners.
Note that the post does not usually support clinical trials in haematology or oncology since research is embedded into clinical teams in these specialties.
Clinical trials fellows may wish to develop clinical experience & education to enhance their career progression in their preferred specialty. In some instances, we may be able to work with service lines for the fellow to provide some clinical work to those specialty areas. Where candidates are interested in this possibility, advance planning is advised. The department will support time for those undertaking medical professional exams.
There is no regular on-call component or acute medical rota contribution to this job; however, occasional cover for planned overnight admission or weekend cover for participants in clinical trials may be required.
About us
We are a people business - where every member of staff matters and can make a difference. Patients are at the heart of everything we do. Joining University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust means becoming part of a team of dedicated staff, who are committed to leading the way through innovation, clinical excellence, and great customer care. The Trust has great opportunities for career development in a highly progressive working environment. We offer all of this in a vibrant, modern city with a historic reputation for adventure.
PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL COMMUNICATION WILL BE ELECTRONIC, PLEASE CHECK YOUR EMAIL ACCOUNT REGULARLY. If you have any issues with applying online and need additional support including reasonable adjustments with the application process please contact the recruitment team on 01752 432100. We recognise that work-life balance is important for our colleagues and so we invite requests from applicants around less than full-time/flexible working for our advertised roles. Please contact the recruiting manager to discuss this prior to your application submission. We commit to giving this full consideration in each case. We encourage people from diverse backgrounds to apply for our roles, as diversity strengthens our teams. It is sometimes necessary to close vacancies before the closing date. If you have not heard from us within 4 weeks of the closing date, please assume that you have not been shortlisted.
Job responsibilities
The applicant should have a good medical knowledge. A good understanding of the importance of research, methodology, and accurate data collection is essential. The work mainly involves pre-existing studies in the NIHR portfolio; the post-holder will be working on a range of interventional (drug) trials and observational studies, based in the James Lind Research Centre, Derriford Hospital, where most study activity is conducted and in other appropriate clinical settings, including a mobile unit. Desk space is provided at the Research Office, Bircham Park, Derriford Hospital. The primary expectation is to recruit, consent, enrol, and monitor patients according to each trial protocol, in keeping with the principles of Good Clinical Practice. Working within the research teams, which comprise consultants, research/specialist nurses, and administrators, the post-holder will be expected to work in clinics. This may be alone (with trials team support), in parallel with clinics, or in joint clinics. Post holders will therefore require an excellent approach to working within teams, versatility and enthusiasm, as well as being able to work alone and make sound clinical decisions, with appropriate support. The post-holder will use interpersonal skills to liaise with key personnel from the Pharma industry, including trial monitors and trial coordinators, as well as a range of healthcare professionals from the supporting services at UHP. Organisation and efficient time management are essential skills, as is accurate record-keeping with all activity requiring documentation to an auditable standard. Ultimately, the post-holder is expected to increase recruitment into trials in support of the wider team. The post-holder will not be expected to make treatment decisions beyond their knowledge and training. They will, however, be expected to demonstrate the following: Accountability, Initiative, Multiprofessional team-working, Analytical and judgment skills, Planning and organisational skills, Responsibility for policy/service development, Responsibility for financial and physical resources, Responsibility for information resources, Information Management & Technology skills, Management responsibility work within a clear research governance framework.
Person Specification
Qualifications
* MBBS or equivalent
* Registered with the GMC. Non-UK graduates must provide evidence of appropriate knowledge, training, and experience, particularly in the case of acute medical conditions.
Knowledge
* A sound knowledge of basic clinical sciences and the ability to apply this knowledge to clinical practice
* Completion of Foundation medical training
* At least 2 years of post-foundation medical experience
* Experience of research including clinical trials
* Understanding of principles of audit, research, and evidence-based medicine.
* Completion of Core Medical Training
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
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