"Clinical Research Fellow in Cerebrovascular Disease"

Reference Number

MED04684

Faculty / Department

Faculty of Medicine

Salary

£55,329 per annum

Location / Campus

Charing Cross Campus - Hybrid

Contract Type / Work Pattern

Full time - Fixed term

Closing date

02-Sept-2024

Job summary

We are seeking a Clinical Research Fellow to join the Imperial Small Vessel Disease Research Group in the Department of Brain Sciences. This is an exciting opportunity to join our new research programme to establish the causes of cerebral small vessel disease. This is one of the commonest causes of stroke and dementia, but our understanding of the disease is limited and therefore we have no treatments. The group combines studies in Big Data analysis, MRI imaging, clinical and physiological cohorts and clinical trials to understand why the disease is so variable, what the underlying pathways are and therefore how to treat it.

This key role will lead recruitment and assessment of patients in our clinical cohort and future clinical trials, including clinical, cognitive and functional assessment. You will learn and perform physiological assessments including transcranial Doppler and cardiovascular physiology, as well as MRI imaging studies including respiratory gas challenges. In addition to supporting the core patient-facing work of the programme, you will be expected to develop your own research project within the programme with opportunities either to focus on analysis of MRI imaging to define patterns of small vessel disease, or to define the cardiovascular physiological basis of small vessel disease and how this relates to clinical and imaging markers of the disease, depending on prior skills and aptitude.

The post is ideal for doctors with a clinical interest and experience in neurology, stroke or geratology who have completed Foundation and core training and are either in a training post (ST3-5) or ready for one. Research experience in this field is desirable but not essential and the post is suitable either for pre-doctoral clinical fellows interested in developing a research proposal to apply for a PhD and fellowship funding, or for post-doctoral clinical academics in this area looking for further research experience and aiming to build a research proposal for intermediate or advanced fellowships.

This is a full-time post which is advertised for 2 years in the first instance, but with a view to additional direct support after this time or identification of independent funding opportunities. The post is a full-time research position, but flexible working options will be readily considered, whilst opportunities to maintain clinical skills through neurology or the acute stroke service at Charing Cross may be available. 

Duties and responsibilities

• Lead recruitment, assessment, and follow-up of patients as part of prospective cohort studies and randomised controlled trials.
• Train to perform physiological assessments such as transcranial ultrasound, and to manage and supervise research MRI scanning, including gas challenges.
• Develop skills in analysis of physiological data, MRI imaging and statistical analysis of large datasets.
• Manage own research and administrative activities.
• Publish research papers in peer-reviewed journals.
• Attend and present work at international conferences.

Essential requirements

•  Medically qualified (MBBS or equivalent) with GMC registration and a licence to practice.
• Completion of Foundation Training, ideally with clinical experience consistent with specialty training in neurology, stroke or geratology (ST3-5).
• Excellent communication skills with a wide range of people
• Ability to organise own work with minimal supervision.
• Good computer skills, including word-processing, spreadsheets and the Internet.

Further information

This is a fixed term position for 2 years, between 1/10/2024 and 30/09/2026, depending on previous experience, with the potential for extension of the position or support to apply for further research training.

This role includes engagement with patients and handling of human samples. A criminal records check, and appropriate vaccinations will be required.

 Should you require any further details on the role please contact: Dr Alastair Webb, alastair.webb@imperial.ac.uk