Clinical Research Fellow in Experimental Medicine

The University of Sheffield is a remarkable place to work. Our people are at the heart of everything we do. Their diverse backgrounds, abilities and beliefs make Sheffield a world-class university.

We offer a fantastic range of benefits including a highly competitive annual leave entitlement (with the ability to purchase more), a generous pensions scheme, flexible working opportunities, a commitment to your development and wellbeing, a wide range of retail discounts, and much more. Find out more about our benefits (opens in a new window) and join us to become part of something special.

Overview

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a clinical trainee to gather experience in experimental medicine (EM) research through a Clinical Fellowship hosted jointly by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Clinical Research Facility (CRF): Sheffield and STH Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Respiratory Medicine and Diabetes and Endocrine (GRaDE) Clinical Directorate.

NIHR - Clinical Research Facility (CRF)

Supervising Principal Investigator: Professor James Catto

Research project area: Experimental medicine

This fellowship will enable the successful candidate to combine broad practical experience in cutting edge projects across the EM portfolio within the CRF (for up to 50% of the week), whilst for the remaining 50% of their time the fellow will join the Respiratory Research team within Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Respiratory Medicine and Diabetes and Endocrine (GRaDE) Clinical Directorate. Provide medical assistance to CRF staff in delivery of EM study portfolio, as directed by CRF Director, and/or by delegation to the CRF matron, and with agreement of / delegation by study principal investigators (PIs). Examples of potential activities include tasks where medical input is mandated by the study protocol (eg some screening assessments), consent protocols, on-site medical cover for high-risk studies, and assessment of, reporting and acute management of potential adverse events

GRaDE Clinical Directorate

Supervising Principal Investigator: Dr Duneesha de Fonseka

Research project area: Pleural disease

The fellow will work on 2 studies in the pleural disease area. The primary project involves setting up a national thoracoscopy database to capture local anaesthetic thoracoscopy procedure data in a centralised manner to create a large scale database that can form a platform for future research studies. The fellow will liaise with other sites to setup the sites for the research study and works primarily as a study coordinator. The second study is an imaging themed project funded by the BRC to explore the role of PET-MRI scans in non-specific pleural inflammation. The fellow will be involved with consenting and recruiting patients to the clinical trial.

Main duties and responsibilities

• Provide medical assistance to CRF staff in delivery of EM study portfolio, as directed by CRF Director, and/or by delegation to the CRF matron, and with agreement of / delegation by study principal investigators (PIs). Attend meetings related to the development and conduct of EM studies as agreed with CRF Director and Research Team PI.
• Take individual role in the conduct of specified EM project(s) of the host research team (GRaDE), as directed by the project PI
• Identification and recruitment of patients from pleural MDT
• Where practicable, gather preliminary data to inform design of personal application for individual PhD research fellowship post
• Prepare papers for journals / presentations either in-house or at national / international conferences or seminars to disseminate research findings.
• Write supporting documents to contribute to and support the work of the Research Group, e.g. reports and interim reports.
• Carry out administrative roles as required.
• Provide help to other researchers in the same laboratory in related field of research.
• Read academic papers, journals and textbooks and attend conferences to keep abreast of developments.

Plan for specific aspects of the research programme as discussed with the fellowship supervisor.

Contribute to research group planning.

Coordinate and liaise with other members of the research group over work progress. Supervise research team/activities if required.

Continuously monitor and check results with daily planning to accommodate new developments.

Plan several months in advance to meet deadlines for journal publications and to prepare presentations and papers for conferences.

As a member of staff, you will be encouraged to make ethical decisions in your role, embedding the University sustainability strategy into your working activities wherever possible.

Carry out other duties, commensurate with the grade and remit of the post

Person Specification

Our diverse community of staff and students recognises the unique abilities, backgrounds, and beliefs of all. We foster a culture where everyone feels they belong and is respected. Even if your past experience doesn't match perfectly with this role's criteria, your contribution is valuable, and we encourage you to apply. Please ensure that you reference the application criteria in the application statement when you apply.

Essential criteria

• MBBS or equivalent medical qualification
• GMC full registration at time of appointment and hold a current licence to practice medicine.
• A minimum of two years General Professional Training involving direct patient care.
• Experience in a clinical speciality relevant to one or more BRC themes and demonstrating the potential to progress in that speciality.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office packages to advanced level, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and referencing software.
• Effective communication skills, both written and verbal, report writing skills, experience of delivering presentations
• Ability to develop creative approaches to problem solving.

Ability to analyse and solve problems with an appreciation of longer-term implications.

Excellent interpersonal skills.

Ability to work to deadlines.

Understanding of Good Clinical Practice (GCP)

Desirable criteria

• MRCP (UK) or equivalent.
• Advanced Life Support certification
  
  

Further Information

Grade: Clinical Academic Trainees

Salary: £55,355 to £77,348 per annum

Work arrangement: Full time

Duration: 12 months

Line manager(s): Supervising Principal Investigator and CRF Director

Direct reports: Supervising Principal Investigator and CRF Director

Our website: www.sheffield.ac.uk/smph; www.sheffield.crf.nihr.ac.uk; www.sheffieldbrc.nihr.ac.uk

For informal enquiries about this job please contact Professor Jim Catto at [email protected] or Dr Duneesha de Fonseka at [email protected].

Next steps in the recruitment process

We plan to let candidates know if they have progressed to the selection stage within 2 weeks of the closing date. If you need any support, equipment or adjustments to enable you to participate in any element of the recruitment process you can contact Jen Newton at [email protected] .

Our vision and strategic plan

We are the University of Sheffield. This is our vision: sheffield.ac.uk/vision (opens in new window).

What we offer

• A minimum of 41 days annual leave including bank holiday and closure days (pro rata) with the ability to purchase more.
• Flexible working opportunities, including hybrid working for some roles.
• Generous pension scheme.
• A wide range of discounts and rewards on shopping, eating out and travel.
• A variety of staff networks, providing opportunities for social interaction, peer support and personal development (for example, Race Equality, LGBT+, Women’s and Parent’s networks).

Recognition Awards to reward staff who go above and beyond in their role.

A commitment to your development access to learning and mentoring schemes integrated with our Academic Career Pathways

A range of generous family-friendly policies o paid time off for parenting and caring emergencies

• support for those going through the menopause
• paid time off and support for fertility treatment
• and more
  

More details can be found on our benefits page: sheffield.ac.uk/jobs/benefits (opens in a new window).

We are a Disability Confident Employer. If you have a disability and meet the essential criteria for this job you will be invited to take part in the next stage of the selection process.

Criminal record

An enhanced with barred lists DBS check will be needed for this role. More details on the checks can be found on the Government website: gov.uk/criminal-record-checks-apply-role (opens in a new window).

Possession of a criminal record is not an automatic bar to employment at the University of Sheffield. We recognise the value of steady employment in the rehabilitation process and examine each case in its own right. More information can be found on our Information for candidates page:- sheffield.ac.uk/jobs/candidates (opens in a new window).

Closing Date : 02/11/2026

We are a research university with a global reputation for excellence. Our ideas and expertise change the world for the better, making a real difference to society. We know that when people come together with different views, approaches and insights it can lead to richer, more creative and innovative teaching and research and the highest levels of student experience. Our University Vision (www.sheffield.ac.uk/vision) outlines our commitment to building a diverse community of staff and students that recognises and values the abilities, backgrounds, beliefs and ways of living for everyone.