Job Summary

Job Title: Clinical Professor of Primary Care Research
Job reference:
Post Responsible To: Head of Department, Department of Health Sciences
Job Purpose:
This post is part of a major initiative designed to strengthen the University’s ambitious pursuit of our research objectives in primary care. This role has been created to strengthen academic primary care in Leicester, and is part of a process to help sustain and increase the capacity of NHS general practice locally, improve recruitment into general practice, translate novel evidence-based innovations into routine primary care practice, and improve patient care. This post will lead and develop a programme of translational research in one or more of the following areas, all of which are among our research objectives and also priorities for the Clinical Care Commissioning Groups (CCGs), as articulated in the Better Care Together Programme:-
  • The nine workstreams within Better Care Together including planned care (
  • Service redesign
  • Reducing health inequalities
  • Quality and patient safety in primary care;
  • Management of people with chronic diseases including multi-morbidity and end of life care;
Interaction with one or more of the existing clinical research strengths in Leicester would be anticipated. Particular strengths include:
  • Cardiovascular Disease
  • Respiratory Disease
  • Diabetes
  • Perinatal epidemiology
This post will also build on the University’s existing partnerships with the three CCGs in Leicestershire, such as the Leicestershire Improvement, Innovation and Patient Safety (LIIPS) Unit, which aims to facilitate improvement in the quality and safety of healthcare in the region by connecting people across health and academia with expertise and passion in the practice and science of healthcare improvement.
You will be able to demonstrate the ability to research at the highest level, obtaining significant external funding for your research and publishing in high-impact peer-reviewed journals.
Principal Accountabilities:
RESEARCH
  • The main responsibility of the post is to develop and manage a portfolio of high quality primary care research:- research that will enable us to lead and support intervention studies in primary care or across primary-specialist care boundaries.
  • Establish and maintain a high-quality record of research output in leading internationally-recognised publications.
  • Achieve sustained high levels of research funding individually and/or in collaboration with others and develop and maintain networks and promote links with the NIHR, Research Councils and other external organisations.
  • Support and mentor academic and research staff to promote career development and the nurturing of academic talent.
  • Support the development of clinical academic capacity in primary care – for example: supervision of academic clinical trainees and supporting the development and acquisition of competitively funded fellowships.
  • Build the research culture in primary care - for example: fostering links with practices inLeicestershirewith an interest in research; creating research collaborations across primary and secondary care.
  • Undertake knowledge transfer activities and provide policy advice.
  • Provide academic leadership and guidance to colleagues working within own research area and more widely across the Department, College and University, building research teams and promoting the development of a vibrant and sustainable research culture, community and environment.
  • Attract high quality postgraduate research students to the University and provide them with excellent supervision which supports timely completion and subsequent employability.
  • Build and sustain relationships with external bodies to develop the College’s Research strategy and impact agenda.
  • Promote the integration of research interests within the College, across the University and externally.
STUDENT EDUCATION
  • This post is mainly intended to focus on research. However, there will be opportunities to contribute towards undergraduate and postgraduate student education activities.
LEADERSHIP & MANAGEMENT
  • Make a dynamic, ambitious, energetic contribution to the development and delivery of high quality health services provision.
  • Provide a major input to the strategic academic development and direction of the Department, School and the Faculty and to the academic leadership of the discipline.
  • Make a significant contribution to the University through its governance structures and by representing the University externally.
  • Seek to engage in appropriate external representative roles including contribution to national committees for funding bodies and research organisations.
  • Adhere to University values and standards, in line with University policies and procedures, upholding high professional standards and leading by example.
GENERAL
  • Undertake internationally leading research, taking a leadership role in translating excellence in research and scholarship into practice.
  • Promote the discipline of Primary Care nationally and internationally, winning prestige for both the discipline and the University
  • Provide a major contribution to the strategic academic development, direction and leadership of the College
  • Contribute to the development and achievement of University, College and department strategy within the context of an international, research-led university
  • Maintain own continuing professional development
  • Maintain a safe work environment, including ensuring compliance with health and safety legislation and the undertaking of appropriate risk assessments
  • Comply with the University’s financial and procurement procedures and regulations, undertaking relevant induction/training.
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Internal and External Relationships:
Key internal relationships will include:
  • Research leadership within the College: Directors of Research and the Lead for Translational Research, Director(s) of the BRUs/BRC, Director of CLAHRC-East Midlands
  • Principal investigators of related research strength: Diabetes Research Centre, Cardiovascular and Respiratory disease researchers
A major external relationship will be with the two Clinical Commissioning Groups that are co-funding the position:
Leicester City and West Leicestershire CCGs. The leadership of these CCGs will participate in regular objective-setting and performance monitoring
To be a member of appropriate CCGscommittees and respond to requests for meetingswhere necessary and agreed by mutual consent
Qualifications, Knowledge and Experience: / Assessment Criteria
Essential
1. Full GMC Registration
  1. Current Licence to practise
  2. Specialist registration with GMC as a GP, or able to evidence eligibility (any offer will be subject to attaining Specialist registration)
  3. Currently undertaking up to 0.4 to 0.5fte in a Leicester City or West Leicestershire CCG GP practice or a willingness to undertake this commitment
  4. A PhD or MD in a discipline related to primary care research
  5. Member or Fellow of RCGP or equivalent international qualification
  6. Evidence of clinical competenceand successful revalidation where this has been requested by the GMC
  7. Evidence of appropriate knowledge and experience of primary care practice and policy.
  8. Demonstrable approach to primary care that is multi-disciplinary and multi-sectoral.
  9. Experience of conducting research in primary care settings
  10. Demonstrate ability to provide academic leadership in research both by own work and through the encouragement and stimulation of colleagues.
  11. Demonstrate a track record of sustained delivery of ambitious and imaginative academic leadership.
  12. Evidence an excellent track record of attracting external research income andability to play a significant strategic role in efforts to increase external research funding.
  13. Demonstrate a strong understanding of the UK REF and its future developments.
  • Evidence an excellent track record of research and publication meeting international standards of academic excellence, including a significant quantity of 3* and 4* REF equivalent published research.
  • Evidence an excellent track record of attracting home/EU and International research students.
  • Show international links and evidence of effective engagement with and influencing national and international research agendas.
  • Demonstrate ability to develop networks and work across subject areas, linking appropriately with other disciplines and research groups.
  • Demonstrate a track record of effective team working and collaborative development with experience in successful team management of either primary care practitioners or academics.
  • Evidence of willingness and capacity to take on a significant role in the department/College development.
  • Demonstrate excellent interpersonal, presentation, organisational and communication skills (written and verbal); sensible negotiator with practical expectation of what can be achieved.
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Skills, Abilities and Competencies: / Assessment Criteria
Essential
  • High level of proficiency in English, sufficient to undertake research, teaching and administrative activities utilising English Language materials and to communicate effectively with staff and students
  • Proven leadership credentials and managing people
  • Strong interpersonal and influencing skills
  • Commitment to the University diversity and equalities agenda
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Contract Information:
This is a permanent position available immediately
Responsible to:
Within the University the appointee will likely be responsible to the Head of Department for Health Sciences. Ultimately the appointee will be accountable to the PVC Head of College and Dean of the School of Medicine.
For clinical work they will report directly to their GP practice. It is anticipated that the postholder will undertake a joint job planning exercise to ensure the ability to perform both clinical and academic work as required by both parties.
Additional Information:
Professional Requirements
You must be registered with the GMC, hold a licence to practice, abide by the GMC codes of professional practice and have appropriate cover from a medical defence organisation for the duration of your appointment. Lapsing may render you subject to disciplinary action and you cannot be lawfully employed should registration lapse. You are required by the GMC to revalidate every five years. You must therefore advise the University of your revalidation dates and provide written evidence of your satisfactory revalidation where these fall within your period of employment with the University.
You are required to undertake clinical duties in a general practice and your contract of employment as a member of the University’s clinical staff is dependent upon having and retaining such a contract and complying with the terms and conditions thereof.
Where the duties of this post for the purposes of research involve work with NHS patients, identifiable patient data and/or patient material/tissues, or NHS staff or their data, it is necessary to ensure that the performance of the duties attached to the post are covered by NHS research governance arrangements and the appointee must comply with all such arrangements, including an Occupational Health assessment & Enhanced DBS where it is determined this is required.
Athena Swan:
We are proud holders of the Athena Swan Silver Award which recognises and celebrates good practice for employment in science, engineering and technology (SET) in higher education and research. The award reflects our commitment to the advancement and promotion of diversity and equality. We are actively seeking a Gold award.
Applications:
As part of the online application process, you will be asked to supply contact details for your referees. Please ensure that one of these is your current or most recent employer. You will also be asked to supply a CV and covering letter to support your application.
Candidates short-listed for interview will be contacted by the University. If you do not receive a communication from the University within 4 weeks of the closing date, please assume that your application has been unsuccessful.

For Clinical Appointments;

As a Clinical Professor you will be expected to undertake clinical practice with Leicester City and or West Leicestershire CCGs

You will work as a general practitioner or clinician for an average weekly clinical commitment up to 40-50% WTE. The selection of the host general practice is negotiable; it will partly reflect the ability of the host practice to provide a clinical and working environment that supports the post-holder’s needs and fit with any strategic partnerships with the University.

You will be expected to pursue a programme of CPD in accordance with the requirements of the Royal College of General Practitioners or another recognized body, and to undertake revalidation, audit or other measures required to remain on the GMC Specialist Register or other specialist register as appropriate. Participation in the NHS/University Joint Appraisal Scheme is a condition of employment for all medical academic staff, in accordance with the Follett Report recommendations

Version 21 March 2016