Clinical Research Fellow (Maternity Cover)

We aim to recruit a clinical research fellow with an interest in academic respiratory/infectious diseases who wishes to expand their research portfolio. You will have an integral role in the delivery of a novel human viral challenge model in bronchiectasis, alongside the development of laboratory skills in immunology. The applicant will work as part of a core challenge team comprising a research nurse, research technician, postdoctoral researcher, and the study PIs.

Main duties of the job:

• The post holder will lead first-in-human studies of a novel model of human rhinovirus in subjects with bronchiectasis.
• This project builds upon recent observations that viruses may be an underappreciated trigger of exacerbations in bronchiectasis.
• The study complements an ongoing portfolio of work at Imperial College where a range of viruses (including rhinovirus, influenza, and SARS-CoV-2) are being studied in this context.
• The project will develop understanding of how the immunological and clinical response to virus is dysregulated in bronchiectasis relative to health and foster acquisition of research skills including research bronchoscopy, mechanistic laboratory experiments, immune/microbiome profiling of airway samples, and bioinformatic analysis.
• Adequate support and training will be provided by Postdocs and Technicians also assigned to the project.
• The project would be ideally suited to an IMT3 or ST3-7 trainee.
• This study will be based at Imperial College London and will require close collaboration with UK and international partners as part of an established consortium.
• We are aiming to recruit an enthusiastic, dynamic, and motivated physician with an interest in academic medicine who wishes to develop and expand their research portfolio.
• The post will be funded for 9-12 months (maternity cover).
• It will primarily be based at the South Kensington campus, with additional work at the St Mary’s and Royal Brompton hospitals.

Job responsibilities:

• Assisting with the day-to-day management and delivery of a human challenge model of rhinovirus challenge.
• Assisting with recruitment and screening of volunteers into this study.
• Providing direct clinical liaison with the research nurses co-responsible for recruiting and caring for the enrolled patients.
• Providing direct clinical care to study participants, in liaison with the research nurses, the study PI, and clinical steering group.
• Acting as a point of contact for study participants to provide clinical advice and care before, during, and after challenge, under the supervision of the study PI and clinical steering group.
• Preparing safety reports and briefings for the safety monitoring committee.
• Working with the wider study consortium, in particular the clinical research nurse, to ensure all the clinical research conducted is compliant with Good Clinical Practice.
• Developing their own research skills and interests in the field of immunology and infection, aligned with the scientific direction of the study group.
• Training of study-associated personnel.
• Ensuring adherence to the study protocol and compliance with regulatory requirements.
• Problem solving, maintaining and developing good relationships with researchers and clinicians associated with the study in a variety of different settings.
• Providing medical advice on the management of infection to research nurses and participants.
• Identifying and developing further research ideas which could be nested within the studies.
• All staff are expected to contribute to the administrative work of the study coordinated through study PIs.
• The post holder will need to carry out any other reasonable duties as required by the study PIs, which are likely to increase their breadth of research experience.

Qualifications:

• Clinically qualified (MBBS or equivalent).
• Membership of the Royal College of Physicians, or equivalent.
• Certification in Advanced Life Support (ALS) or equivalent.
• Specialist trainee (in respiratory medicine, infectious diseases, or Intensive Care Medicine).
• Advanced Internal medicine trainees (e.g., IMT3) with MRCP (or equivalent) applicants may also be considered.

Experience:

• Significant clinical experience in general internal medicine and the management of infections.
• Significant clinical experience in chronic lung disease.
• Working knowledge of UK clinical trials regulations, principles of GCP, UK GDPR, and Research Governance Framework legislation and proven ability to apply these to the coordination of clinical trials.
• Experience in bronchoscopy and bronchoscopic sampling of the lower airways.
• Experience of coordinating, organising, and conducting clinical research.
• Experience of human challenge studies.
• Experience of basic immunological assays.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.