Clinical Research Fellow in Neurology

Clinical Neurosciences

Location:  Southampton General Hospital
Salary:   £43,923 to £55,329 Pro rata per annum
Part Time 21 hpw Fixed Term to 04/02/2025
Closing Date:  Friday 24 November 2023
Interview Date:   To be confirmed
Reference:  2514623FC

£39,260-£55,336 for clinical academic doctors in training at or above ST3 on 3 August 2016
£32,398-£55,329 for clinical academic doctors in training below ST3 on 3 August 2016

We are looking for an enthusiastic and self-motivated Clinical Research Fellow to join the Southampton Clinical and Experimental Neurology Team in Clinical Neurosciences, Clinical & Experimental Sciences within the Faculty of Medicine. This is an exciting opportunity for a clinical trainee seeking to advance their research career, develop their academic interest in multiple sclerosis (MS) and enhance their publication profile. The Fellow will conduct a leading research role in three areas:

1. The OCTOPUS trial - a multi-arm, multi-stage (MAMS) randomized controlled trial in progressive MS, initially comparing alpha-lipoic acid and metformin versus placebo. We are developing an enhanced recruitment and retention strategy reaching out to under-served groups, and Southampton has been selected in open competition to be a ‘Regional Recruitment and Retention Hub’ for OCTOPUS.
2. The role of haemolysis in driving progression in MS.
3. Validation and testing the clinical deployment of a cerebrospinal fluid light chain assay as an alternative to isoelectric focusing in the diagnosis and management of MS.

This post is available part time (2.5 or 3 days a week) for one year with the possibility of extension.

The post-holder will work alongside and liaise with clinicians, translational researchers and laboratory-based scientists in a distinguished neuroscience research team, studying MS and other neurological conditions. The group publishes multiple four-star manuscripts annually. Research benefits from deep ties with the Research and Development department at the UHS NHS Foundation Trust for clinical research delivery, a wet laboratory with biochemical, molecular and histochemical capability, image-processing workstations, access to high-performance supercomputing, a research-dedicated MRI scanner, and other facilities. If interested, the post-holder can benefit from the Southampton Academy of Research (SoAR), to gain the skills to develop their own high-quality research activity.

You will have a MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine & Bachelor of Surgery) degree or equivalent, experience working as a doctor, and Advanced Life Support certification. Essential to this post is high proficiency in intravenous cannulation and the ability to drive one’s own car to attend satellite clinics (for example in Bournemouth and Warminster). The MRCP degree (in part or full), previous neurology experience, postgraduate research degrees, participation in clinical trials and experience of using ultrasound for intravenous cannulation would be advantages but not essential. The successful applicant will be highly motivated, capable of independent working and have excellent organisational and communication skills.

The post-holder will have an honorary appointment with the University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust and offered the opportunity to attend MS outpatient clinics and multidisciplinary team meetings, working under varying degrees of supervision depending on experience. There will be an emphasis on the post-holder’s clinical research career development, for example designing one’s own research ideas, gathering preliminary data, and/or preparing a fellowship funding application if this is a desired direction of travel.

For additional information/informal enquiries before submitting your application, contact Professor Ian Galea at I.Galea@soton.ac.uk.

Please include a covering letter and full CV in your application. 

The application deadline is midnight on the closing date stated above. If you need assistance, call Recruitment on  +44 (0) 23 8059 2750, or email recruitment@soton.ac.uk. Quote the advert reference 2514623FC on all correspondence. 

Further Information

Clinical Neurosciences

Location:  Southampton General Hospital
Salary:   £43,923 to £55,329 Pro rata per annum
Part Time 21 hpw Fixed Term to 04/02/2025
Closing Date:  Friday 24 November 2023
Interview Date:   To be confirmed
Reference:  2514623FC