Adult Clinical Research Fellow

Adult Clinical Research Fellow

The role

This is an exciting opportunity for a research fellow to take part in the wide range of ongoing research activity working with the team that led the Oxford COVID vaccine trials leading to distribution of 3.5 billion doses, large scale efficacy typhoid vaccine trials in Nepal and Bangladesh which supported global roll out of vaccines with 50 million children vaccinated by 2023. The Oxford Vaccine Group has undertaken key studies that influenced the global use of meningococcal and pneumococcal vaccines. The team have also undertaken research supporting the use of the majority of the vaccines in the NHS immunisation schedule.

Led by Professor Sir Andrew Pollard the OVG is a multi-disciplinary academic team involved in infection related research with strong links to the adult and paediatric infectious diseases teams at Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. Additionally, the post holder may have the opportunity to be involved in teaching of medical students, nurses and clinical trainees.

Working with the project managers, study statisticians, epidemiologists, nurses, IT, and data mangers the Research Fellow will be involved in development of study protocols and essential documents needed in the preparation and submission of ethics and grant applications and study delivery. The post-holder will provide clinical support and governance for the OVG clinical trial activity with the possibility to develop a programme of work towards a higher degree.

Adult Research Fellows would work on the ground-breaking enteric Human Challenge studies which includes out-of-hours clinical visits (evenings and weekends) and may include laboratory processing of participant samples.

Responsibilities

• Conceptualise, design, structure and undertake the clinical delivery of research work
• Lead on the provision of expert technical advice and professional training for research staff relevant to the implementation of the research, in accordance with the protocol, ethics approval, SOPs and international guidelines.
• Lead with regards clinical governance in the monitoring and reporting of the research at study sites and to trial specific data safety monitoring boards (for example reporting of serious adverse events).
• Lead on, collaborate and liaise in the preparation of clinical reports and peer reviewed journal articles for national and international stakeholders and research funders
• Professionally support the research team both at OVG and sites in ensuring Good Clinical Practice (GCP) in all aspects of study implementation.
• Conduct the research and act as a key source of information and professional research advice to other members of the team and external study sites.
• Provide medical oversight of trial participants including ensuring good clinical governance at local study sites with regards the clinical evaluation of participants in the research studies.
• Contribute to a 24-hour telephone on call advice line for vaccine study participants
• To meet GMC registration requirements an honorary contract with the OUH may benecessary. This includes contributing to the clinical service approximately one clinical 8-hour shift per month; working at a resident level, managing the care of patients within the OUH trust.

Selection criteria

Essential

• Medical Degree (please note that applicants who do not possess a medical degree will NOT be considered)
• Full General Medical Council Registration or evidence of having applied for GMC registration
• At least three years’ experience in clinical medicine
• Evidence of good communication and interpersonal skills
• Willingness to undertake clinical delivery of research (expected between 3-4 clinic days per week)
• Willingness to contribute to an on-call rota for telephone advice

Desirable

• An interest in adult infectious diseases, microbiology, immunology, gastroenterology, acute internal medicine or Public Health
• Experience of working with clinical studies; understanding of Good Clinical Practice
• Information technology skills
• Management experience
• MRCP or equivalent qualification or equivalent experience

Pre-employment screening

Standard checks

If you are offered the post, the offer will be subject to standard pre-employment checks. You will be asked to provide: proof of your right-to-work in the UK; proof of your identity; and (if we haven’t done so already) we will contact the referees you have nominated. You will also be asked to complete a health declaration so that you can tell us about any health conditions or disabilities for which you may need us to make appropriate adjustments.

Hazard-specific / Safety-critical duties

This job includes hazards or safety-critical activities. If you are offered the post, you will be asked to complete a health questionnaire which will be assessed by our Occupational Health Service, and the offer of employment will be subject a successful outcome of this assessment.

The hazards or safety-critical duties involved are as follows:

• Working with infectious pathogens (hazard group 2/3) - Hazard Group 3 pathogens
• Working with blood, human products and human tissues
• Work in clinical areas with direct contact with patients (NOT administrative roles)

Additional security pre-employment checks

This job includes duties that will require additional security pre-employment checks:

• This role requires a research passport/honorary contract. The department will support the successful candidate in obtaining this where required and appropriate
• A satisfactory basic Disclosure and Barring Service check due to the nature of this position working with highly sensitive data
• A satisfactory enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check due to regulated activity involving vulnerable adults
• University security screening (e.g. identity checks)

About the University of Oxford

Welcome to the University of Oxford. We aim to lead the world in research and education for the benefit of society both in the UK and globally. Oxford’s researchers engage with academic, commercial and cultural partners across the world to stimulate high-quality research and enable innovation through a broad range of social, policy and economic impacts.

We believe our strengths lie both in empowering individuals and teams to address fundamental questions of global significance, while providing all our staff with a welcoming and inclusive workplace that enables everyone to develop and do their best work. Recognising that diversity is our strength, vital for innovation and creativity, we aspire to build a truly diverse community which values and respects every individual’s unique contribution.

While we have long traditions of scholarship, we are also forward-looking, creative and cutting-edge. Oxford is one of Europe's most entrepreneurial universities and we rank first in the UK for university spin-outs, and in recent years we have spun out 15-20 new companies every year. We are also recognised as leaders in support for social enterprise.

Join us and you will find a unique, democratic and international community, a great range of staff benefits and access to a vibrant array of cultural activities in the beautiful city of Oxford.

For more information, please click the Apply button to apply.

Oxford Vaccine Group

The Oxford Vaccine Group (OVG) is led by Prof Sir Andrew J Pollard, Professor of Paediatric Infection and Immunity. Staff are based within a purpose-built centre on the Churchill Hospital site and form part of the Centre for Clinical Vaccinology and Tropical Medicine (CCVTM). The aim of OVG is to co-ordinate expertise in the study of microbial diseases and the immune response to microbes, in order to facilitate research on the development and implementation of vaccines. This may include new, improved or combined vaccines for the adult and paediatric population.

Since 2020, OVG conducted Phase I-III clinical trials to evaluate the efficacy of a COVID-19 vaccine candidate, ChAdOx1 nCoV-19, in collaboration with AstraZeneca, and the results from these trials led to the authorisation of the emergency use of ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 in the UK. Besides the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 trials, OVG is currently leading other research on COVID-19 vaccines, which will impact the UK policy on COVID-19 vaccination strategy. More information about OVG may be found at the website: http://www.ovg.ox.ac.uk

Department of Paediatrics

The Department of Paediatrics is a world leader in child health research and hosts internationally renowned research programmes in drug development, gastroenterology, haematology, HIV, immunology, neuroimaging, neuromuscular diseases and vaccinology. Our work spans from early proof-of concept fundamental science, all the way up to its application in clinical settings.