Position Details
Department of Metabolism and Systems Sciences, School of Medical Sciences, College of Medicine and Health
Location: University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham UK
Full time starting salary is normally in the range £43,455 to £73,506
Clinical
Full Time, Fixed Term contract up to May 2026
2 positions available
Closing date: 17th March 2025
Background
We are seeking to appoint two Clinical Research Fellows to join the Women’s Metabolic Health Research team within the NIHR funded BRC to develop a translational Women’s Metabolic Health research idea into a future competitive fellowship bid. The successful applicants will be expected to come out of clinical training to undertake the post and have appropriate permissions to do so.
During the 12-month post, the candidates will be expected to undertake the necessary clinical/ translational pilot and preparatory work required to apply to appropriately identified research funding bodies for a competitive research training fellowships for a further two or three years protected research time to allow the successful completion of the project, essential training towards a higher postgraduate degree (PhD) with progression towards a clinical academic career of the appointee. As well as developing competitive research experience in a dynamic team, the successful candidates will benefit from mentorship from senior researchers and leaders in Women’s Metabolic Health research, engagement with the wider BRC, where necessary, and support for a follow-on fellowship application (related to the project).
Our Metabolic Health Research theme has a life course approach to address two main areas:
* The development of tools to identify women at highest risk of metabolic disease and its complications, and identifying and investigating novel, targeted therapies and interventions to improve women’s metabolic health.
The successful applicants will develop a translational women’s metabolic health research idea linked to one of these themes, focusing on one of the following:
* Female androgen excess & polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
* Adrenal tumours and mild autonomous cortisol secretion (MACS)
* Thyroid disorders & congenital hypothyroidism
The projects could include a variety of qualitative and quantitative research methods such as experimental medicine and processing/ analysing existing data sets in new ways and/or to answer new questions within the theme.
The roles will include active public involvement and engagement (PPIE) to ensure that women’s lived experience shapes the course of the research.
Role Summary
* Work within proposed research project and develop project for future bids.
* Operate within area of Women’s Metabolic Health.
* Analyse and interpret research findings and results.
* Present research at regular meetings.
* Identify suitable funding stream for future fellowship bid, draft and submit proposal within the time frame.
* Contribute to licensing or spin out deals with demonstrated commercial success (such as revenues, asset or company sales, IP generated) and/or public understanding of the discipline or similar.
* Partake in PPIE activities.
Main Duties
* Develop research objectives and proposals for own or joint clinical or translational research, with assistance of a mentor if required.
* Contribute to writing bids for research funding including development of personal fellowship bid.
* Analyse and interpret data.
* Apply knowledge in a way which develops new intellectual understanding.
* Disseminate research findings for publication, research seminars etc.
* Supervise students on research related work and provide guidance to PhD students where appropriate to the discipline.
* Contribute to developing new models, techniques and methods.
* Undertake management/administration arising from research.
* Contribute to Departmental/School research-related activities and research-related administration.
* Collect research data; this may be through a variety of research methods, such as scientific experimentation, literature reviews, and research interviews.
* Present research outputs, including drafting academic publications or parts thereof, for example at seminars and as posters.
* Provide guidance, as required, to support staff and any students who may be assisting with the research.
* Deal with problems that may affect the achievement of research objectives and deadlines.
* Promotes equality and values diversity acting as a role model and fostering an inclusive working culture.
Person Specification
* Medical degree from a recognised university.
* Registered with the GMC with a License to Practice and in clinical training.
* Completion of MRCP, MRCPCH, or equivalent.
* Possesses sufficient breadth and depth of specialist knowledge in the discipline and or research methods and techniques to work within established research programmes.
* Working knowledge of the NHS infrastructure and operation.
* Experience of research including in qualitative and/or quantitative research methods.
* Significant research experience including a strong publication record in healthcare research.
* High level analytical capability.
* Ability to communicate complex information clearly.
* Fluency in relevant models, techniques or methods and ability to contribute to developing new ones.
* Ability to assess resource requirements and use resources effectively.
* Contribute to the planning and organising of the research programme and/or specific research project.
* Co-ordinate own work with others to avoid conflict or duplication of effort.
* Knowledge of the protected characteristics of the Equality Act 2010, and how to actively ensure in day to day activity in own area that those with protected characteristics are treated equally and fairly.
* A higher degree relevant to research area.
* Knowledge of PPIE.
* Understanding of and ability to contribute to broader management/administration processes.
OH and DBS required
The University is committed to safeguarding and we promote safe recruitment practice, therefore all associated pre-employment checks will be undertaken before any appointment is confirmed. Due to the nature of the work undertaken in this role all successful applicants will be subject to a satisfactory Occupational Health and DBS clearance prior to appointment.
For further information related to the specific projects please contact:
* For female androgen excess/PCOS: Jan Idkowiak: j.idkowiak@bham.ac.uk
* For adrenal tumours/MACS: Alessandro Prete: a.prete@bham.ac.uk
* For thyroid disorders: Nadia Schoenmakers:n.schoenmakers@bham.ac.uk
Informal enquiries to Rachel McNeill, email: r.mcneill.1@bham.ac.uk
We believe there is no such thing as a 'typical' member of University of Birmingham staff and that diversity in its many forms is a strength that underpins the exchange of ideas, innovation and debate at the heart of University life. We are committed to proactively addressing the barriers experienced by some groups in our community and are proud to hold Athena SWAN, Race Equality Charter and Disability Confident accreditations. We have an Equality Diversity and Inclusion Centre that focuses on continuously improving the University as a fair and inclusive place to work where everyone has the opportunity to succeed. We are also committed to sustainability, which is a key part of our strategy.
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