Job Description
Position Details
Department of Immunology and Immunotherapy, School of Infection, Inflammation and Immunology, 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 August 2026
Closing date: 21st April 2025
Background
The National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Birmingham Biomedical Research Centre (BRC) has recently been renewed with £30.7M funding and aims to use cutting edge experimental medicine to accelerate access to, and adoption of, drugs, devices and diagnostics tests for patients living with chronic inflammatory diseases. The NIHR Birmingham BRC brings together the expertise of University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust (UHB) and the University of Birmingham, as well as partners throughout the west midlands. This vacancy is for a clinical research fellow (CRF) working as part of the BRC liver theme based in the Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy at the University of Birmingham. The posts are funded by the NIHR Birmingham BRC.
Role Summary
The post holder will contribute to the achievement of the research strategy of the NIHR Birmingham BRC by supporting clinical trials and other studies in the BRC portfolio, specifically focused on one of three priority areas within the liver theme including: 1) to find and develop novel inflammatory biomarkers which will identify patients who are at risk of progressive liver inflammation and cirrhosis, 2) developing and testing new therapies for inflammatory liver disease including fatty liver disease and autoimmune liver diseases and 3) driving translation of therapies to treat the inflammatory microenvironment of hepatocellular cancer. The post holder will benefit from the infrastructure and expertise in cellular therapy and liver immunology as well as the track record of delivering early phase clinical trials. The post is funded for 12 months in the first instance, with the potential for extension. The post holder will be expected to register for a higher degree and will be supported to apply for further funding.
Main Duties
1. To coordinate recruitment of patients to BRC trials, including patient identification and consent and performance of trial-related procedures where relevant.
2. To assist with trial set-up and obtaining necessary local and national approvals (ethics, MHRA) and contribute to site file and data management under guidance of the trials coordinators and lead investigators.
3. To carry out a literature review of the topic area.
4. To gain sufficient research data and experience that will enable completion of a higher degree (PhD or MD). To comply with the terms and conditions set out in the fellowship and in the University of Birmingham's graduate Programme of study.
5. To contribute to the enhancement of scientific understanding of chronic inflammatory disease mechanisms in accordance with the aims of the BRC.
6. To undertake prescribed research tasks and collection of research data.
7. To prioritise tasks within the agreed work schedule to ensure that projects are delivered in a timely fashion according to the timelines in the BRC programme.
8. To suggest and contribute to the development of research techniques and methods in collaboration with colleagues.
9. To contribute to writing bids for research grants.
10. To disseminate research findings using appropriate and effective media such as publication, research seminars, etc.
11. To provide guidance to other staff and students.
12. To contribute to the production of research reports and high impact publications.
13. To plan and develop research contributions to subject area using methodologies, critical evaluations, interpretations, analyses and other appropriate techniques.
14. To participate in departmental and BRC-specific public engagement activities and initiatives.
Required Knowledge, Skills, Qualifications, Experience
Essential:
1. MRCP /MRCS or equivalent.
2. Full General Medical Council Registration with a Licence to Practice.
3. Understanding and experience of research methods and processes.
4. Medical degree.
5. Possession of MRCP (or equivalent).
Desirable:
1. Demonstrable research experience.
2. Understanding and experience of research methods and processes related to the study of chronic inflammatory diseases.
3. Research publications.
Planning and Organising
1. Plan for the use of research resources as appropriate.
2. Contribute to the planning of research projects.
3. Co-ordinate own work with others to avoid conflict or duplication of effort.
4. Prioritise responsibilities and various undertaken work-streams.
Problem Solving and decision making
1. Critical decision making on appropriate amendments to experimental design and progress to ensure optimal output.
2. Plan for the use of research resources as appropriate.
3. Contribute to the planning of research projects.
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.
Further particulars can be found here
Informal enquiries to Lisa Powell, email: l.h.powell@bham.ac.uk
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