Job Profile

Core job information
Job Title / Clinical Research Fellow (GI Physiology Unit – Colorectal service)
Dept./School/Inst. / Blizard Institute / Section/Centre/Unit / NCBRSI/ Neuroscience & Trauma
Career Family / Academic & Education / Grade
Working hours per week / 35 / Appointment period / 1 Year
Reports to (job title) / Dr SM Scott / Professor CH Knowles / Current location / Whitechapel
Job purpose
  • To undertake a project, within our internationally renowned centre, that will form the basis of an MD[Res] or, ideally, a PhD thesis. The project will be centred on the physiological assessment of colo-recto-anal function, using advanced and also novel diagnostic techniques, in patients with benign colorectal disorders, characterised by symptoms of faecal incontinence and constipation. The post holder will also perform a clinical role in the GI Physiology Unit, including one dedicated colorectal GI physiology patient list per week, and be expected to contribute to surgical outpatient services (maximum one clinic per week).
  • To apply for research grants to assist the funding of the project, if necessary.
  • To contribute to the overall scientific endeavour of the Unit, and to take responsibility for areas of the current projects, as demand requires.
  • To work as part of the Institute’s research team, being mutually supportive and covering duties as necessary during colleagues’ absences and at times of additional pressure, as directed.

Knowledge, Skills & Experience
Requirements / Essential/Desirable
Qualifications /
  • UK-registered basic medical qualification
  • MRCS, FRCS or equivalent
  • Has completed Basic Surgical Training
  • Started or completed Higher Surgical Training
  • Track record in research
/
  • Essential
  • Essential
  • Essential
  • Desirable
  • Desirable

Experience /
  • Some experience in research methodology (e.g. BSc)
  • Scientific publication record
  • Experience of scientific data handling
/
  • Essential
  • Desirable
  • Desirable

Knowledge, skills & abilities /
  • Wide clinical knowledge
  • Excellent communication and presentation skills
  • Ability to supervise clinical research assistants/junior staff
/
  • Essential
  • Essential
  • Desirable

Attitude & disposition /
  • Flexible and co-operative.
  • Self-motivated
  • Willingness to learn new skills
  • Willing to be innovative and to deal with responsibilities of the Unit
  • Willingness to extend normal hours to pursue the research project
  • Good interpersonal skills
/
  • Essential
  • Essential
  • Essential
  • Essential
  • Essential
  • Essential

Other circumstances /
  • Desire to pursue a career in academic surgery
  • Good communication and presentation skills
  • Computer skills
  • Willingness to work on different sites
/
  • Essential
  • Essential
  • Essential
  • Essential

Main Duties and Responsibilities of the Role
Research:
  1. The principal duty of the post holder will be to undertake clinical research, developing the research programme as outlined, with the goal of completing an MD[Res], or preferably, a PhD thesis. This project will have a minimum of 2 supervisors and run in strict accord with University degree milestones.
  2. The project specifically relates to a more contemporary assessment of patients with pelvic floor disorders (characterised by symptoms of faecal incontinence and constipation), to better understand pathophysiology and ultimately management of these conditions, by using established (endo-anal ultrasound, proctography), advanced (high resolution manometry, trans-perineal ultrasound, anal evoked potentials) and novel (rapid barostat, EndoFLIP, MR imaging) radiological and (neuro)physiological diagnostic techniques.
  3. To achieve a steady publications record of the kind that will enhance the Unit’s research reputation at national and international level and that will clearly demonstrate originality and scholarship.
  4. To attend and participate in the Unit’s academic activities, laboratory and research group meetings and weekly seminars.
  5. To make research initiatives and original contributions to the research programme wherever possible, and to contribute freely to the team research environment in a manner conducive to the success of the research project as a whole.
  6. To keep up to date with scientific, clinical and professional issues, in particular relating to developments the specific subject area.
Clinical:
[The post holder will hold an Honorary SpR contract with Barts NHS Trust]
  1. After suitable training, the post-holder will undertake a clinical anorectal physiology list once per week.
  2. The post holder will also assist in surgical outpatients clinic (maximum one clinic per week)
  3. The post holder may be asked to assist with the clinical management of patients specifically under the care of consultants in the Academic Surgical Unit, as demand requires
Teaching:
  1. The post holder will be required to assist in the organisation of progressive assessment of students and the MBBS examinations which include OSCE’s.
  2. The School also runs a problem-based learning (PBL) programme and the post holder may be asked to act as facilitator to small groups of students. Appropriate training will be given as necessary.
Other:
  1. The duties of the post outlined above are not exhaustive, and the post holder will be expected to be cooperative and flexible, undertaking such administrative and other duties as may from time to time be reasonably expected of a member of research grade staff in a university.
  2. These duties will be subject to review in line with the changing requirements of the Unit, Institute, School or College, and with the development needs of the post holder as identified through regular review / appraisal processes.
Dimensions:
  1. The post-holder will be expected to assist other clinical research fellows who number usually 4 – 5 at any one time.

Working Environment
Research:
  1. To keep up to date with scientific, clinical and professional issues, in particular relating to developments in the specific subject area.
  2. To ensure that all research is undertaken according to Good Clinical Practice (GCP), Good Laboratory Practice (GLP), College and Trust protocols.
Clinical:
  1. Theappointeewill be involved in the normal clinic rota for both GI Physiology Unit anorectal physiology lists and surgical outpatients. They will be expected to occasionally cover the duties of others when absent for whatever reason.
Teaching:
  1. To contribute to the delivery of undergraduate and postgraduate curricula in accordance with the Institute’s Teaching and Learning Service Level Agreement and as agreed by the Project Supervisor, the Centre Lead, the Institute Teaching Lead and the Institute Director. This may include contributing to course and examination organisation, and, when required, serving on strategic or tactical committees related to teaching.
Other:
  1. To ensure they are fully aware of and comply with the College’s/Trust’s policies and procedures in relation to data protection, confidentiality, health and safety at work, COSHH regulations, infection control, safe handling of drugs, and all local safety rules regarding fire, chemical, radioisotope and gene manipulation hazards.
  2. To identify own training needs and to remain up to date with current professional thinking.
  3. The post holder must at all times carry out their responsibilities with due regard to the College's and Trust’s Equal Opportunities policy.

Freedom to Act & Decision Making
Research:
  1. To make research initiatives and original contributions to the research programme wherever possible, and to contribute freely to the team research environment in a manner conducive to the success of the research project as a whole.
Clinical:
  1. The appointee will be primarily responsible to Dr Mark Scott and Dr Sahar Mohammed (GIPU Manager) in respect of GI Physiology Unit clinical activities. They will be responsible to Professor Charles Knowles in respect of surgicalclinical activity; however, he/she will have responsibilities to other staff within the Academic SurgicalUnit (e.g. other surgical trainees, a Nurse Consultant, several Clinical Nurse Specialists and several clinical research fellows).
Decision making:
  1. Research decisions to be made following presentation to research active colleagues and after discussion with research supervisors.
  2. Clinical decisions about the care of patients to be made in the context of multidisciplinary meetings.
  3. Judgements involving complex facts or situations, which require analysis, interpretation and comparison of data from both clinical and laboratory based research.
  4. To ensure that patient care is conducted in accordance with good clinical practice.
  5. To use forward planning and goal-setting to ensure that the study proceeds to target.
  6. To adopt flexible working practices where required.

Communication & Networking
  1. To work as part of a multidisciplinary team of clinicians, scientists, nurses and support staff, developing good working relationships within the team, and making use of discussions with the project supervisor(s), and other team members as appropriate, to establish and maintain excellent communication links.
  2. To provide, receive and present complex information to a large group of staff/students/peers within the Research Centre, Institute, School, Trust and externally.
  3. To review study progress with the project supervisors at least weekly or more often if necessary.

Finance/Resource Management
No budgetary responsibilities
People Management
Teaching:
  • As above
  • Also, to support the education and training of other Unit staff, as required.

This job description sets out the duties of the post at the time it was drawn up. Such duties may vary from time to time without changing the general character of the duties or level of responsibility entailed. Such variations are a common occurrence and cannot of themselves justify a reconsideration of the grading of the post.
Organisation Chart

Confirmation Section

Job profile content agreed by:

Jobholder signature / Print name
Ext No: / Date:
Line Manager/Supervisorssignatures / Print names
Professor CH KnowlesDr SM Scott
Ext No:8757Ext No: 3469 / Date:01/10/2015Date:01/10/2015
Head of Department/Director of Institute signature / Print name
Ext No: / Date:
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