Clinical Research Fellow

Job Purpose

The main purpose of this post is to advance virology research at the University of Glasgow through involvement in a collaborative and multidisciplinary project at the MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research (CVR). This post forms an essential part of the strategic expansion of virology research in the University and is funded by the Medical Research Council (MRC). The position offers an excellent opportunity for skilled and motivated clinically qualified medical doctors, usually at internal medicine trainee (IMT), UK speciality trainee, or international equivalent level from any specialty, with an interest in infectious diseases or clinical virology to undertake a higher degree (PhD) and pursue an academic career.

Applicants must be at pre-consultant level, GMC registered at the time of starting the post, and be able to gain out-of-programme (OOP) approval.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

1. Plan, design and implement an appropriate research project, in conjunction with relevant investigators and collaborators leading towards a Higher Degree.

2. Manage data handling and interpretation of research results and take the lead in writing papers for publication in appropriate peer-reviewed journals.
3. Accumulate a significant body of data of the standard required for submission for examination for a higher degree (e.g. PhD).

4. Collaborate with colleagues and participate in team meetings/discussions and departmental research group activities.

5. Keep up to date with recent literature and advances in the field.

6. Present work at internal and external seminars and national/international conferences as appropriate to enhance the profile of the research group.
7. Write and submit applications for Ethics and Research Management approval, as appropriate and in conjunction with principal investigators (PIs).

8. Supervise undergraduate and postgraduate student projects and contribute to the academic progress of students.
9. Undertake optional clinical work under an NHS honorary contract, as detailed below.

10. Engage in continuous professional development.

11.  Contribute to the enhancement of the University’s international profile in line with the University’s Strategic Plan, World Changers Together.

These key tasks are not intended to be exhaustive but simply highlight a number of major tasks which the staff member may be reasonably expected to perform.

Qualifications/Knowledge

Essential:

A1 Primary medical qualification.

A2 GMC registration and licence to practice.
A3 Demonstrable interest in infectious disease research.

Desirable:

B1 Possess National Training Number (NTN).
B2 BSc, MSc or equivalent intercalated degree (e.g., molecular biology/microbiology).

B3 Evidence of distinction in career to date, e.g., prizes, awards, bursaries.

Skills

Essential:

C1 Proven academic track record.

C2 Enthusiasm for infectious disease research aligned with CVR priorities.

C3 Ability to interrogate data systematically.

C4 Appropriate IT skills.

C5 Capacity for originality and innovation.
C6 Excellent communication skills (both written and oral).

C7 Good interpersonal skills and ability to work constructively with staff at all levels.
C8 Self-motivation and the ability to work as part of a team and independently.

C9 Ability to manage research projects.

Desirable:

D1 Ability to deliver research that can be published in leading academic publications.
D2 Successful record of writing and presenting research.

Experience

Essential:

E1 Evidence of some previous research experience.
E2 Experience and/or interest in basic and clinical infectious disease research.

E3 Ability to contribute to a defined project and develop research potential.

Desirable:

F1 Experience in undergraduate teaching or postgraduate teaching.
F2 Publication record.

General Information

Clinical Research Fellowships offer medical graduates the opportunity for training in a range of research methodologies relevant to modern biomedical research.  Most Clinical Fellows will undertake research training to consolidate career prospects, by participating in relevant research, which will usually form part of a further qualification or Higher degree (MSc, MD, PhD). The post should make individuals competitive for future NHS teaching hospital appointments or Academic Lecturer/Clinician Scientist awards.

Research Training

Clinical Research Fellows are encouraged to attend workshops and training in generic transferable skills organised by the College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences Graduate School. Full details of the programme are available at

University of Glasgow - Colleges - College of Medical, Veterinary & Life Sciences - Graduate School - CURRENT PGR STUDENT INFORMATION - Skills training

Regular attendance at, and contribution to, research group meetings and the CVR seminar programme is expected.

Higher Degrees

Clinical Research Fellows will undertake study towards a higher degree, ordinarily a PhD, in the University of Glasgow. Fellows will have at least two supervisors and two independent assessors. The primary supervisor must be a full-time member of University academic staff. Thesis submission is expected within three years to ensure a return to clinical training.

Clinical Work

Clinical Research Fellows can undertake optional clinical work during their fellowship (a maximum of 0.2FTE or 2 sessions per week). An appropriate honorary contract will be sought from the relevant NHS Service. Clinical activities may be limited to those required for research training such as recruitment to trials and conduct of clinical research. However, limited additional clinical work is possible, subject to the agreement of the supervisor and NHS Services Clinical Director. Where any clinical activities of a Service nature extend beyond the usual working week, confirmation in advance of any such responsibilities and agreement on additional payments must be obtained from appropriate NHS Services management. The individual will have a contract with the NHS Services via the appropriate directorate/division, which will specify the agreed amount of clinical work and the level of remuneration. Since the funding for this post does not include an element for clinical training or NHS service work, any such clinical work must be arranged to avoid impacting substantially on research time.

Funding Source

This post will be funded by an Entry Level Fellowship for 3 years. As this is an MRC funded pre-doctoral fellowship, it is subject to their eligibility criteria. It will be awarded on the basis of individual career achievement to date and the likelihood of the fellow contributing to an existing research team. As noted above, there may be opportunities for additional salary supplements providing NHS cover in Medicine and related specialties (by negotiation with local NHS management and subject to prioritisation of research). In relation to such supplements, the University will act as Paymaster only.

Research Training Base

The Clinical Research Fellow will be based in the MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research. Travel to collaborating sites may be required.

Research Projects

Upon acceptance into the Clinical Research Fellowship programme, Fellows will select a laboratory in which to undertake a thesis project. We encourage projects in all areas of CVR research (fundamental, translational, and clinical virology) and to work in all areas from computational biology, to molecular biology, to epidemiology. Opportunities also exist for collaborative projects, including in tropical medicine and emerging diseases, with opportunities to spend time working with partner institutions overseas.

Assessment of Progress

All those matriculated for Higher Degrees will be subject to the Postgraduate School of the College for progress monitoring. This is completed according to the regulations set down in the University Calendar.

•          An initial training needs assessment

•          Regular meetings with your primary supervisor and participation in group meetings

•          Oversight from a panel of two independent assessors (an initial review after 3 months and annual reviews at the end of each year, with additional support as required)

•          Presenting your work in internal seminars annually and participating in external conferences, with an expectation of attending at least on international conference during the course of your PhD

•  The final assessment will be by viva examination of a research thesis.

Future

Research fellows will either return to run-through training or may become eligible for an academic training post.

Other

Viral diseases kill many millions of people each year and are a significant global challenge to human health and prosperity. At the CVR, we are committed to nurturing the next generation of leaders in virology and have created a specialized MRC-funded programme to train clinically qualified individuals from any specialty, who are enthusiastic about virus research; we particularly encourage applications from those interested in a future career in clinical virology or infectious diseases. Our programme offers outstanding PhD training in a supportive and inspiring environment. There has never been a better time to train as a clinical academic and the CVR is the place to do it.

You will work in a world leading virology research institution, alongside the UK’s largest grouping of internationally recognised virologists.  Your training experience will centre on a 'hands on' research project in your supervisor's laboratory, leading to the submission of a PhD thesis. This training will be supplemented with mentorship, career advice and the acquisition of transferable skills. Although research will form the major component of this post, clinical duties and teaching can be incorporated into the Job Plan according to individual needs.

Our purpose-built, state-of-the-art facility is home to a community of investigators with a wealth of expertise, knowledge, and experience. The CVR’s collegiate and collaborative environment fosters a broad research portfolio. Research interests at the CVR range from classical human pathogens to emerging viruses and arboviruses, with research areas covering antiviral responses, virus-host interactions, molecular virology, structural virology, and virus discovery. Our research activities span the molecular, structural and cellular levels, through to the individual host and affected population, integrating molecular and structural virology, cell biology, pathogenesis, clinical virology, epidemiology, mathematical modelling, viral genomics and bioinformatics.  As noted above, we encourage clinical research fellows to undertake projects in any discipline within the CVR. The CVR is embedded within the School of Infection and Immunity, part of the College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences (MVLS) at the University of Glasgow, which provides excellent research opportunities to foster multi-disciplinary collaborative projects.

For further information on the CVR’s Clinical Research Fellow programme please visit the CVR website www.cvr.ac.uk

Standard Terms & Conditions

Salary will be on the Clinical Academic pay scale. The post may carry an additional entitlement depending on “on-call” responsibilities. This banding payment is paid under a separate arrangement with the NHS for which the University acts as paymaster only.

This post is justifiably fixed-term, as a training post, under the Fixed-term Employees (prevention of Less Favourable Treatment) Regulations 2002. The funding for the position is available for up to 3 years. GMC registration and out-of-programme (OOP) approval is required prior to commencing the post.

Members of staff are normally eligible to contribute to the Universities' Superannuation Scheme (USS) and on appointment shall be deemed to be in membership of the scheme and contributions deducted accordingly, unless the University is advised in writing prior to the commencement of employment of a wish not to join.” Further information regarding the scheme is available from the Superannuation Officer, who is also prepared to advise on questions relating to the transfer of Superannuation benefits. It may be possible, if the relevant NHS Superannuation Scheme Criteria are met, for appointees to remain in the NHS Superannuation Scheme while in this post.”

All research and related activities, including grants, donations, clinical trials, contract research, consultancy and commercialisation are required to be managed through the University's relevant processes (e.g. contractual and financial), in accordance with the University Court's policies.

Protecting Vulnerable Groups Scheme

The post for which you are applying is considered ‘registered work’ in terms of the Protection of Vulnerable Groups Act. It requires the successful applicant to become a Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) Scheme member prior to appointment. This check is necessary to ensure that the University of Glasgow fulfils its legal duties under the Act.

If you are successful in your application, the offer of employment will be subject to PVG Scheme membership. Further information is available at: http://www.disclosurescotland.co.uk/pvg/pvg\_index.html

Please note it is a criminal offence to apply for a child care position if you are on the Disqualified From Working with Children List.

All research and related activities, including grants, donations, clinical trials, contract research, consultancy and commercialisation are required to be managed through the University's relevant processes (e.g. contractual and financial), in accordance with the University Court's policies.

The University has been awarded the Athena SWAN Institutional Bronze Award

The University is committed to equality of opportunity in employment.

The University of Glasgow, charity number SC004401.