Clinical Research Fellow

Job Summary

The post holder will be contributing to the achievement of the Institute’s research strategy by undertaking specified research activities within an established research programme.

The project is entitled: “Opportunity in Brain Tumour Diagnostics, Multi-Omics and Computational Biology.” This project addresses a major unmet clinical need: brain tumours remain the leading cause of cancer-related death in children and adults under 40, with survival outcomes still poor. Median time from surgery to tissue diagnosis is 26 days (IQR 21–36; Tessa Jowell BRAIN MATRIX interim analysis 2025). This PhD aims to develop rapid and accurate diagnostic approaches using advanced genomic technologies. The project will evaluate rapid sequencing methods alongside DNA methylation-based classifiers to accelerate tissue diagnosis. By reducing the time to diagnosis and developing new efficient techniques, this work has the potential to improve patient outcomes, enable faster access to targeted therapies and clinical trials, and reduce the psychological burden associated with diagnostic delays. The successful candidate (pathology /neurosurgery ST1-3 ideally with a National Training Number) will generate and analyse a richly annotated, integrated multi-omic dataset from brain tumour samples. Working at the interface of computational biology, neuro-oncology and molecular medicine, the student will apply state-of-the-art transcriptomic, proteomic and epigenomic profiling techniques. The project will also involve developing and validating novel diagnostic classifiers and establishing a testbed for genomic testing in a clinical setting.

The pilot data generated will be used to apply for further fellowship funding eg.NIHR Academic Clinical Lecturer.

Main Responsibilities

• To plan and develop research contributions to subject area using methodologies, critical evaluations, interpretations, analyses and other appropriate techniques
• To analyse and interpret the results of own research and generate ideas based on outcomes
• To suggest and contribute to the development of research techniques, models and methods in collaboration with colleagues
• To contribute to writing bids for research grants
• To disseminate research findings using appropriate and effective media such as publication, research seminars etc
• To contribute to the production of research reports and publications
• To prepare papers for Steering groups and other bodies
• Promotes equality and values diversity acting as a role model and fostering an inclusive working culture

Person Specification

• Medical degree, Intercalated or biomedical science degree preferable
• ST-1-ST3: National Training Number in Medicine or surgery (preferably pathology/neurosurgery or oncology)
• Possesses sufficient breadth and depth of specialist knowledge in the discipline and or research methods and techniques to work within established research programmes.
• Knowledge of the protected characteristics of the Equality Act 2010, and how to actively ensure in day-to-day activity in own area that those with protected characteristics are treated equally and fairly.

Informal enquiries can be made to v.wykes@bham.ac.uk, a.beggs@bham.ac.uk and phillipe.taniere@uhb.nhs.uk

Full Time Fixed Term Contract – 01/02/2027- 31/01/2030