Clinical Research Fellow in Obstetrics

Tommy\’sClinical Research Fellow post in Obstetrics

Applicationsare invited for the Tommy\’s Clinical Research Fellow post at the Leeds TeachingHospitals Trust in conjunction with the University of Leeds. The post isavailable from Aug 2025.

Theresearch areas concerns the microarchitecture of the cervix and preterm birth(supervisors Dr Nic Orsi, Mr Nigel Simpson). An example of previous work may befound below. Progression towards a higher degree would be expected andencouraged.

Previousresearch experience is desirable but not essential. It will incorporate thespan of bench, clinical, and data-led studies which should appeal to a widerange of trainees with pre-existing abilities and interests, but especiallythose considering a future in preterm birth prevention.

Thesuccessful applicant will be involved in the full range of clinical activitiesin preterm prevention (pre-pregnancy counselling, preterm prevention clinics,transvaginal ultrasound scanning of the cervix, placement of high vaginal andtransabdominal cerclages), leading to independent practice in this area. Assuch it may appeal more to a trainee at ST6+ level.

Main duties of the job

Thepost is split between research (six sessions) and clinical (four sessions) aswell as a full on-call rota commitment. The post also includes a commitment toundergraduate teaching and examinations as a member of the academic team. Theterms and conditions of the post will be those of the NHS terms and conditionsfor medical and dental staff.

Pleaserefer to attached job description and person specification.

About us

Thematernity service is based at St James University Hospital (approximately4,500 deliveries per year) and Leeds General Infirmary (approximately 4500deliveries per year). Each site has adelivery suite, antenatal and postnatal wards, antenatal day care unit, fetalassessment unit, obstetric ultrasound department, maternity assessment centreand outpatient clinics. There is a tertiary level fetal medicine unit at LGI,where the Level 3 neonatal unit is also situated.

Thegynaecology service is predominantly based at St James University Hospital(Chancellor Wing) and includes general, urogynaecological, recurrentmiscarriage, endometrial ablation, fertility control, complex contraception,menopause, perineal and ambulatory gynaecology clinics such ashysteroscopy,), vulval and colposcopy.

LeedsTeaching Hospitals is committed to our process of redeploying \’at risk\’members of our existing workforce to new roles. As such, all our job advertsare subject to this policy and we reserve the right to close, delay or removeadverts while this process is completed. If you do experience a delay in theshortlisting stage of the recruitment cycle, please bear with us while thisprocess is completed, and contact the named contact if you have anyquestions.

Job responsibilities

Thispost was established by Leeds Teaching Hospitals Trust in conjunction withTommy\’s and The University of Leeds, to encourage more senior trainees tobecome involved in research activity and to develop specialist interest.

Applicationsare now invited for a Clinical Research Fellow (Trust doctor) in ObstetricsST6+ level.

Thespecific research area relates to the microarchitecture of the cervix and itsrole in preterm birth.

Previousresearch experience is desirable but not essential. The proposed researchincorporates the span of bench, clinical, and data-led studies which shouldappeal to a wide range of trainees with pre-existing abilities and interests.

Weare seeking highly motivated, enthusiastic individuals with the potential toexcel in both their clinical and research training and who have the ambitionto obtain a higher degree. The post is for up to 3 years with 60% of theworking week dedicated to research and 40% to clinical service. There is anon-call commitment as 2nd on call for obstetrics and gynaecology on a 1 in 10basis. The post holder is employed by Leeds Teaching Hospital Trust (LTHT)with an honorary contract with the University of Leeds.

Applicationsare now invited for a Clinical Research Fellow (Trust doctor) in ObstetricsST6+ level.

Thespecific research area relates to the microarchitecture of the cervix and itsrole in preterm birth.

Previousresearch experience is desirable but not essential. The proposed researchincorporates the span of bench, clinical, and data-led studies which shouldappeal to a wide range of trainees with pre-existing abilities and interests.

INFORMATIONABOUT THE DEPARTMENT

Researchinstitution in which training will take place

Theresearch work will be carried out in the Section of Obstetrics &Gynaecology within the School of Medicine, University of Leeds.

TheSections work covers a range of themes ranging from understanding diseaseaetiology through to the application of our findings in translationalclinical trials and currently includes the following areas of research:

Prediction/prevention of adversepregnancy outcome – much of our work in this area aims to integratecomplementary research themes so as to integrate clinical, metabolomic,proteomic, and genetic biomarkers in the pre-symptomatic detection ofobstetric complications

Gynaecological cancer – we covertwo principal themes; the bulk of our work revolves around thepathophysiology of endometrial cancer using genomic, transcriptomic,proteomic and lipidomic approaches. Much of our emphasis is placed onunderstanding the role of the tumour microenvironment in carcinogenesis. Weare also interested in the role of microRNAs, predictive markers for responseto novel targeted therapies, and the process of epithelial-mesenchymaltransition in ovarian cancer

Interaction between nutrition andpregnancy outcome: we work closely with the Nutritional Epidemiology group inorder to better understand the impact of nutrition on the incidence ofpregnancy complications. Much of our research in this area has focussed onmaternal caffeine and anti-oxidant intake

Endothelial biology: studying therole of mechanosensing channels in placental vasculature within theworld-leading cardiovascular research group in the Leeds Institute ofCardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine

Reproductive Medicine: includingpioneering in vitro maturation research and studying implantation biology

Ourwork is collaborative and links in with other leading national andinternational groups. We particularly value the practical contribution of ourresearch in driving our teaching and clinical practice in order to improvewomens healthcare.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• MB BS (or equivalent) MRCOG (Part 1)
• In possession of NTN/ST4+ or equivalent
• Be eligible for full registration with, and hold a current licence to practise from, the GMC at intended start date
• Eligibility to work in the UK.
• Advanced Life Support Certificate from the Resuscitation Council UK or equivalent (as required to complete Foundation competences) by intended start date
• All applicants to have demonstrable skills in written and spoken English adequate to enable effective communication about medical topics with patients and colleagues demonstrated by one of the following:
• Applicants have undertaken undergraduate medical training in English.
• OR
• Achieved the minimum score of 7 across all 4 of the following categories in the academic International English Language Testing System (IELTS) in a single sitting within 24 months at time of application Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing. (An overall minimum score of 7.5)
• OR
• Achieved the minimum Grade B across all 4 of the following categories in the Occupational English Test (OET) in medicine in a single sitting within 24 months at time of application Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing. (You must provide your candidate number) If applicants believe they have adequate communication skills, but do not have evidence in one of the above forms, they must provide alternative supporting evidence of language skills

Experience

• Evidence of achievement of foundation competences, in line with GMC standards / Good Medical Practice; including:
• Satisfactory OSATs as appropriate for stage of training
• Clear, logical thinking showing an analytical/scientific approach
• Able to demonstrate proficiency in a range of medical procedures as an indication of manual dexterity and hand-eye coordination
• Familiarity with UK health system and NHS
• make the care or your patient your first concern
• provide a good standard of practice and care
• take prompt action if you think that patient safety, dignity or comfort is being compromised
• protect and promote the health of patients and of the public
• treat patients as individuals and respect their dignity
• work in partnership with patients
• work with colleagues in the ways that best serve patients interests
• be honest and open and act with integrity
• never discriminate unfairly against patients or colleagues
• never abuse your patients trust in you or the publics trust in the profession.
• Demonstrates awareness of the basics of managing medical/surgical conditions, including emergencies.
• Appropriate knowledge base and ability to apply sound clinical judgement to problems
• Evidence of competence in management of emergencies and in-patients through continuous work-based assessments, and portfolio evidence
• Evidence of achievement of ST4 competencies in medicine or Surgery (as defined by the curricula relating to Core Medical training or Core Surgical Training)
• Ability to apply sound clinical knowledge and judgement to problems
• Ability to prioritise clinical need
• Ability to maximise safety and minimise risk
• Recognition of, and ability to undertake the initial management of, an acutely ill patient
• Demonstrates understanding of research, including awareness of ethical issues
• Demonstrates understanding of the basic principles of audit, clinical risk management, evidence-based practice, patient safety, and clinical quality improvement initiatives
• Demonstrates knowledge of evidence-informed practice
• GCP
• Demonstrate current ALS certification or equivalent
• Please see the full person specification
• Attendance clinical training courses
• Competent to work without direct supervision where appropriate
• Additional clinical skills (i.e. obstetric or gynae ultrasound)
• Research and audit skills:
• Evidence of relevant academic and research achievements, e.g. degrees, prizes, awards, distinctions, publications, presentations, other achievements
• Evidence of involvement in an audit project, a quality improvement project, formal research project or other activity which:
• focuses on patient safety and clinical improvement
• demonstrates an interest in and commitment to the specialty beyond the mandatory curriculum
• Teaching:
• Evidence of interest in, and experience of teaching
• Evidence of feedback for teaching
• Instructor status (or a recommendation for instructor status) in an advanced life support course (ALS, ATLS, EPLS, APLS) or equivalent course

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

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.

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