Clinical Research Fellow

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Job overview

Clinical Research Fellow- UCL/UCLH Institute of Neurology, Ataxia Centre
Applications are invited for a Clinical Research Fellow in the Ataxia Centre, UCL/UCLH Department of Neuroscience and Neurogenetics, UCL Institute of Neurology, under the supervision of Prof Paola Giunti. The post offers an exciting opportunity to gain experience of translational research as part of an internationally recognised multi-disciplinary team.
The postholder will be an essential member of the research team at the Ataxia Centre, providing clinical and research input into the Centre's research programme into Ataxia and will work closely with the Principal Investigators (PIs), Clinical Research Fellows and Clinical Trials nurses. Their primary role will be as sub-investigator in clinical drug trial: A phase 1/2a, open-label trial to investigate the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics of multiple ascending doses of intrathecally administered VO659 in participants with spinocerebellar ataxia types 1, 3. assessing the safety of this novel Antisense oligonucleotide(ASO) treatment in patients with these rare diseases. He/she will also have the opportunity to participate in current basic and observational research including longitudinal studies of dominant and recessive ataxias and at-risk groups and healthy volunteers to identify reliable biomarkers of disease and develop new therapeutic targets.

Main duties of the job

Applicants should have a medical degree and full GMC Registration, and have previous experience in neurology, or general medicine and excellent skill in performing lumbar puncture. The successful candidate will have good inter-personal skills, the ability to work co-operatively in a multidisciplinary setting and the ability to demonstrate a record of academic clinical excellence.
We offer our permanent staff an interest free season ticket loan for travel, a subsidised social club including gym, a library for staff to use, free independent and confidential support for all staff, large retail discounts, car leasing scheme and on-site accommodation to name a few.
Please note that if you have not heard from us within 3 weeks of the closing date of the advert to assume that you have not been shortlisted on this occasion.

Working for our organisation

University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (UCLH) is one of the most complex NHS trusts in the UK, serving a large and diverse population. We provide academically led acute and specialist services, to people from the local area, from throughout the United Kingdom and overseas. Our vision is to deliver top-quality patient care, excellent education, and world-class research.

We provide first-class acute and specialist services across eight sites:
• University College Hospital (incorporating the Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Wing)
• National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery
• Royal National ENT and Eastman Dental Hospitals
• University College Hospital Grafton Way Building
• Royal London Hospital for Integrated Medicine
• University College Hospital Macmillan Cancer Centre
• The Hospital for Tropical Diseases
• University College Hospital at Westmoreland Street

We are dedicated to the diagnosis and treatment of many complex illnesses. UCLH specialises in women's health and the treatment of cancer, infection, neurological, gastrointestinal and oral disease. It has world class support services including critical care, imaging, nuclear medicine and pathology.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

For the full Person Specification and more information regarding the main responsibilities of this role, please refer to the attached Job Description.

Please note, due to anticipated high volumes of applications, this vacancy may close earlier than the listed closing date. You are advised not to delay submitting your completed application

Come and be a part of the best NHS trust in England to work for, according to our staff*

* UCLH top trust to work at in England - In the most recent NHS staff survey UCLH had the highest percentage of staff who said they would recommend us as a place to work, out of all general acute or acute/community NHS trusts in England - for the third year in a row.

UCLH recognises the benefits of flexible working for staff - To find out more, visit: Flexible working .

To discover more about what makes UCLH a great place to work, visit: Why Choose UCLH?

Person specification

Knowledge and Qualifications

Essential criteria

• Educated to degree level (Medical Degree)
• Eligible for full registration with the GMC , eligible to apply for GMC Specialist Register, at time of appointment and hold a current licence to practise.
• Experience in paediatrics, neurology, or clinical genetics
• MCRP or equivalent

Desirable criteria

• Proven Knowledge of GPC guidelines
• Completed/ working towards degree in the speciality or related field

Experience

Essential criteria

• Clinical research experience/ understanding of research methodology
• Experience of pediatrics', neurology and/ or clinical genetics
• Experience in delivering evidence-based practice
• Experience of explaining complex concepts to patients in a clear and simplified manner with a very high level of consideration &care for patients, their careers and families
• Experience of formal/informal teaching of patients and staff
• Experience of acting as a patient advocate

Desirable criteria

• Experience of working with patients (children /adults) with neurodegenerative disorders
• Experience of working in the NHS

Skills and Abilities

Essential criteria

• Previous experience in audit and evaluation
• Ability to work under own initiative
• Able to work autonomously with supervision
• Able to work across organisational and professional boundaries

Desirable criteria

• Experience of formal/informal teaching of patients and staff
• Experience of acting as a patient advocate

Communication

Essential criteria

• Computer literacy
• Proven ability to communicate effectively in writing
• Proven ability to communicate verbally
• Good inter -personal skills with an ability to work co -operatively in a multidisciplinary setting.

Desirable criteria

• Medical and scientific writing skills
• Aptitude for data analysis

Personal and People Development

Essential criteria

• Takes responsibility for own personal development plan

At UCLH, we have a real 'One Team' ethos, and our values - safety, kindness, teamwork and improving, are central to the way we work. This is supported by our staff, who voted us as the #1 NHS Acute Trust to work for in the whole of England.

At UCLH we take equality of opportunity seriously and are committed to being a diverse and inclusive employer, with a culture that creates a real sense of belonging and trust. It is our fundamental aim, to recruit, retain and promote a diverse mix of people who are representative of our local communities. Applications are encouraged from candidates of all backgrounds, cultures, and perspectives to support our world class research, innovation and creativity.

UCLH recognises the benefits of flexible working for staff and has a dedicated policy which allows staff to apply for flexible working right from the beginning of employment. For more information please go to:

We offer our permanent staff an interest free season ticket loan for travel, all our staff have access to free independent and confidential support, large retail discounts, a staff discount platform, cycle to work scheme and on-site accommodation to name a few.

Additionally, UCLH Arts and Heritage's staff wellbeing programme, Creative Comfort, offers a variety of ways to engage with the arts as a member of UCLH staff. You can try out the weekly choir, weekly art club and join the Culture Club for exclusive access to free and discounted tickets for opera, exhibitions, theatre and more.

We recognise, reward and thank colleagues by nominating them for our annual Celebrating Excellence Awards, which are funded by UCLH Charity.

We are also members of which offers discounts on high street retail stores, offers on travel deals, and also to take advantage of cash back schemes.

This vacancy may close before the current listed closing date. You are advised not to delay submitting your completed application.

Please note that all correspondence regarding your application will be via email. The emails will be sent to you via TRAC.jobs and not via NHS Jobs, we encourage you to check your inbox regularly.

Please note that if you have not heard from us within 3 weeks of the closing date of the advert to assume that you have not been shortlisted on this occasion.

The Trust uses electronic new starter forms on Trac to collect personal details. Information collected is securely stored and used to set up the employee record on the ESR HR system.

For further support on submitting an application please refer to the NLPSS Applicant Toolkit:

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Applicant requirements

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Documents to download

• Job Description (PDF, 776.3KB)
• Functional Requirements (PDF, 262.3KB)
• UCLH Values (PDF, 860.9KB)