Overview
Clinical Research Fellow – Strand, London, WC2R 2LS
About us
Are you interested in translational rheumatology research? Do you want to better understand and treat pain in inflammatory arthritis? Would you like to be trained by and work with leading rheumatologists, pain biologists and immunologists?
We are looking to recruit a clinical fellow to join the Arthritis UK research consortium TOPPIA: Targeting of Peripheral Pain in Inflammatory Arthritis focused on peripheral pain in inflammatory arthritis.
The TOPPIA consortium is directed by Prof Leonie Taams and Prof Franziska Denk at King’s College London, and comprises basic and clinician scientists, lived experience partners and policy experts from King’s College London, Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, University College London, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust, Cardiff University, University of Oxford, University of Birmingham, University of Glasgow, and The Rockefeller University in the USA.
Together, the TOPPIA consortium will seek to identify new treatment targets for inflammatory arthritis pain, create a biobank of joint samples to study clinical information on pain, improve tailored diagnosis and care and advocate for pain to be prioritised in care and research.
About the role
We are looking to recruit a Clinical Fellow to study for a PhD degree under the supervision of Prof Leonie Taams at King’s College London and Dr Fran Humby at GSTT as part of a large Arthritis UK research consortium TOPPIA: Targeting of Peripheral Pain in Inflammatory Arthritis aimed at studying the drivers of persistent pain in inflammatory arthritis.
You will be responsible for patient recruitment, conduct clinical assessments including pain phenotyping of patients, perform ultrasound-guided synovial tissue biopsies as well as be involved in cutting-edge investigations of synovial tissue samples in the lab. You will also help ensure harmonisation of data and sample collection across the consortium.
The clinical aspects of the work will take place in the Rheumatology Department at Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Trust (GSTT), which is one of the biggest departments in the country.
The laboratory work will be done in the Centre for Inflammation Biology & Cancer Immunology, in close collaboration with the lab of Prof Franziska Denk, on the Guy’s Campus.
The successful candidate will need to have a strong track record in rheumatology, demonstrable interest in translational research in inflammatory arthritis, experience in wet-lab or dry-lab research and strong analytical skills. A pro-active attitude, excellent attention to detail, excellent data analysis and record keeping skills as well as strong interpersonal, communication and time management skills are essential. You should be able to communicate and liaise effectively with a wide range of partners and patients. The expectation is that you will work towards a PhD degree as part of your appointment.
This is a full-time post (40 hours per week), but part-time working (minimal 80%) could be considered. You will be offered a fixed term contract of 36 months. The fellowship will cover salary, PhD fees (at the UK level), and research expenses.
Please note that this post is open only to applicants with UK/Home fee status (usually demonstrated by holding a British passport or settled status) and not requiring ATAS.
Research staff at King’s are entitled to at least 10 days per year (pro-rata) for professional development. This entitlement, from the Concordat to Support the Career Development of Researchers, applies to Postdocs, Research Assistants, Research and Teaching Technicians, Teaching Fellows and AEP equivalent up to and including grade 7. Visit the Centre for Research Staff Development for more information.
About you
To be successful in this role, we are looking for candidates to have the following skills and experience:
Essential criteria
- Full GMC / NMC / other relevant body registration with valid license to practice
- Applicants should hold a valid UK MBBS (or overseas equivalent), or a 2:1 undergraduate degree in an appropriate subject, or a 2:2 undergraduate degree with a relevant Master’s degree (at merit) and English language requirement: Band D
- Advanced training in Rheumatology with substantive clinical working experience in the context of the UK NHS
- Demonstrable interest in and aptitude for clinical and translational research as evidenced by previous research projects, abstracts, posters and/or papers
- Demonstrable experience in wet-lab or dry-lab research and strong analytical skills
- A keen interest in understanding the drivers of inflammation and pain in inflammatory arthritis across the life course
- Excellent problem-solving, record and time-keeping, presentation and communication skills
- A pro-active and creative mindset with great attention to detail and a strong team player who is also able to work in an independent and self-motivated manner
Desirable criteria
- Training and experience in musculoskeletal ultrasound and/or ultrasound-guided synovial biopsy
Downloading a copy of our Job Description
Full details of the role and the skills, knowledge and experience required can be found in the Job Description document, provided at the bottom of the page. This document will provide information of what criteria will be assessed at each stage of the recruitment process.
IMPORTANT: Before applying for this role, please make sure you have the right to work in the country where the role is based. Unless it clearly stipulates within in the job advert above that the hiring company is looking to or able to sponsor applicants it is deemed that the hiring employer will only consider applications from those able to comply with and work in the country where the role is based.
