Clinical Research Fellow in Rheumatology - #1719195

Job Title: Clinical Research Fellow, Rheumatology Grade: ST3-5 Specialty/Department: Rheumatology, NIHR Leeds Biomedical Research Centre Site and Location: Chapel Allerton Hospital INFORMATION ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust in partnership with the University of Leeds and University of York has been awarded a National Institute for Health and Care Research Leeds Biomedical Research Centre with funding of 21.7million for five years. This exciting investment in translational medicine represents a threefold increase in our previous funding and provides a unique opportunity to drive research which makes a difference to the health and wealth of the United Kingdom, but also to our local community. Building on our existing strength in musculoskeletal disease and engagement with patients and the public who are at the heart of all our activities, the new NIHR Leeds BRC now includes research in Surgical Technologies, Haematology with the University of York, Cardiometabolic Disease, Pathology, and Antimicrobial Resistance. Our vision is to improve health and wellbeing by accelerating diagnosis, enabling early treatment that is personalised for each patient and, where possible, prevent disease and infection.

It builds on Leeds sustained excellence in translational research and industry partnership in musculoskeletal disease, heart disease, cancer and infection. It is driven by the need to address the grand challenges of an ageing, multi-morbid population, which underpins our research themes. Musculoskeletal Disease: will identify people at-risk of developing rheumatoid and other forms of arthritis to: prevent them from developing these conditions; and develop individually targeted, cost-effective treatments for a variety of musculoskeletal conditions. Cardiometabolic Disease: will discover new principles for detecting and treating heart disease, particularly in terms of complications from diabetes.

Surgical Technologies: will develop and apply new surgical technologies to: provide more precise surgery that is tailored to the biology of the underlying disease; improve healing of bone and soft tissues; and limit disability following orthopaedic surgery Haematology: will identify the determinants of poor outcomes, enabling development of personalised-treatment strategies for blood-related cancers. Pathology: using AI and screening advances, we will improve the accuracy and speed of bowel diagnosis, enabling early and more effective treatment. Antimicrobial Resistance and Infection: will accurately identify patients at risk of antibiotic-resistant infections; ensure our existing antibiotics are working; and develop new infection treatments. MEDICAL STAFF IN THE DEPARTMENT Prof Kulveer Mankia Professor of Clinical and Translational Rheumatology and Consultant Rheumatologist Prof Paul Emery Versus Arthritis Professor of Rheumatology KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED Please see Person Specification DUTIES OF THE POST The major role of the successful candidate will be to conduct research in Musculoskeletal Disease, Work Stream 1: This will include performing research aimed at preventing progression to inflammatory arthritis in at risk individuals.

Specific research projects will investigate: Validation of biomarkers, clinical, imaging, serum Development of risk models Initiation of proof of concept studies in stratified populations The appointee will work in conjunction with the LIRMM at the University of Leeds, in the day-to-day co-ordination of the research. He/she will undertake projects in a variety of areas within the workstream. The appointee will also be sub investigator in external clinical trials in the relevant disease area, will co-ordinate the maintenance of clinical databases for this patient population and will participate in clinical activities directly related to the disease area and research. The appointee would be required to attend and participate in BRC meetings, research presentations, journal reviews and external speaker meetings, which are held regularly at Chapel Allerton Hospital.

The appointee would be expected to be actively involved in the Leeds BRC Trainees Network. The main responsibilities will be reviewed in partnership with the theme and workstream leads, and are outlined as follows: Deliver prescribed project objectives on time and within budget. Be responsible to the work stream lead / work stream clinical lead for the successful day-to-day running of the research activities. Collaborate with other researchers to build sustainable partnerships of mutual benefit and aid the process of dissemination.

Communicate and provide information to academic supervisors including the regular attendance at formal supervisory meetings. Attend and prepare reports for regular meetings with other members of the grant team, to report progress, agree future work and exchange data/experience. Manage aspects of the project and co-ordinate work with other internal and external collaborators. Independently identify additional external and internal resources to effectively deliver the project work.

Identify and apply for fellowship funding Ensure good progress is maintained and work is undertaken in a systematic way that is well documented so that data can be shared across the project group. Prepare written papers and presentations to disseminate the research findings. Work effectively and positively as required as a team player on a broad range of activities and related projects within the wider research groupings Trust to help achieve the broader strategic development. Participate in public engagement activities.

Identify other research project opportunities and directions as they arise. Uphold and enhance the internationally excellent reputation of the organisations you will be associated with and the independent network of contacts by building collaborations with other academics, external stakeholders and users such as clinicians. Work within and apply the standard operating procedures, health and safety regulations and quality assurance procedures of both the Institute and the School of Medicine and be responsible for the health and safety management of relevant projects and research work. Provide a point of contact for the review of external feasibility studies in applications of interest and future study development.

To build excellent working relationships within the Institute and with NHS Partners and research Sponsors. Initiation/change of treatment The appointee would be required to attend and participate in BRC meetings, research presentations, journal reviews and external speaker meetings. The appointee would be expected to be actively involved in the Leeds BRC Trainees Network. LEVELS OF RESPONSIBILITY Receive supervision from Prof Kulveer Mankia and Prof Paul Emery to conduct research within Work Stream 1 of the Leeds NIHR BRC To work collaboratively with research delivery staff including: research nurses, trial managers, and trial assistants TEACHING AND RESEARCH/STUDY AND TRAINING The post is FIXED TERM for 24 months due to research specific funding, and is an opportunity to gain training and experience in a Rheumatology research setting.

THE LEEDS WAY VALUES Our values are part of what make us different from other trusts, so we see this as a strength, as well as a responsibility. They have been developed by our staff and set out what they see as important to how we work. Our five values are: Patient-centred Collaborative Fair Accountable All our actions and endeavours will be guided and evaluated through these values Additionally the following are core values which relate specifically to this post: The beliefs and attitudes that underpin effective performance within the job role. Emphasis should be on the requirements of the role not the individual when completing this section.

Examples might include: quality focus, mistakes are used as a continual learning experience, honesty, integrity etc. Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust is part of the West Yorkshire Association of Acute Trusts (WYAAT), a collaborative of the NHS hospital trusts from across West Yorkshire and Harrogate working together to provide the best possible care for our patients. By bringing together the wide range of skills and expertise across West Yorkshire and Harrogate we are working differently, innovating and driving forward change to deliver the highest quality care. By working for Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust this is your opportunity to be a part of that change.

WYAAT is the acute sector arm of the West Yorkshire and Harrogate Health and Care Partnership, one of the largest integrated care systems in the country. The Partnerships ambition is for everyone to have the best possible health and wellbeing, and the work of WYAAT, and each individual trust, supports that ambition. CONDITIONS OF SERVICE This post is covered by the Hospital Medical and Dental Staff (England and Wales) Terms and Conditions of Service. These documents are available on the Medical Staffing Intranet site.

The post holder is required to be fully registered with the General Medical Council (GMC) and hold a licence to practice. Standards of Conduct and Behaviour You are required to work to the standards set out by the General Medical Council in Good Medical Practice. This includes protecting patients when you believe that a doctors or other colleagues conduct, performance or health is a threat to them. If, after establishing the facts, it is necessary, you must follow the Trusts procedures in this matter and inform your Clinical Director or Medical Director in the first instance.