Quote ref: M&HS-03415 THE UNIVERSITY OF MANCHESTER PARTICULARS OF APPOINTMENT FACULTY OF MEDICAL AND HUMAN SCIENCES INSTITUTE OF BRAIN, BEHAVIOUR AND MENTAL HEALTH CLINICAL RESEARCH FELLOW (3 posts, each on a different site) 1 The University invites applications for the above posts which are available from 1 February 2014 for a period of four years. 2 Salary will be within the clinical research fellow salary range. If you need specific information on salary, please email the person from the relevant institution (see below). 3 Informal enquiries can be directed to Dr Lena Palaniyappan (Nottingham, Lena.Palaniyappan@nottingham.ac.uk) Dr Peter Talbot (Manchester, peter.talbot@manchester.ac.uk) or Dr James Walters (Cardiff, WaltersJT@cardiff.ac.uk). 4 You should submit your application for all sites via the Manchester online system which is accessible at http://www.manchester.ac.uk/aboutus/jobs/. Please state clearly your preferred location at the top of the Additional Information section of your application. Otherwise, your application will be considered for all sites. 5 If you are unable to apply online please request an application form by emailing HRServices@manchester.ac.uk quoting the reference number or by calling 0161 275 4499. 6 The University of Manchester values a diverse workforce and welcomes applications from all sections of the community.
Job title: Salary: Start/duration: Based at: Responsible to: Clinical Research Fellow within the clinical research fellow salary scale, depending on qualifications and relevant experience 1 February 2014 / 4 years Centre for Treatments and Understanding in Mental Health Institute of Brain, Behaviour and Mental Health Faculty of Medical and Human Sciences Professor Bill Deakin Chief Investigator BACKGROUND MRC Funded Clinical Research Fellow in General Adult Psychiatry Out-of-Programme for Research An opportunity to undertake clinical academic training in General Adult Psychiatry has arisen with the award of Experimental Medicine Challenge Grant by the Medical Research Council to a team of researchers in Nottingham, Cardiff and Manchester. As a part of this project, three Clinical Research Fellows will be supported for a 3 4 year period (Clinical Investigators: Professor Deakin / Dr Talbot [Manchester], Professor Liddle / Dr Palaniyappan [Nottingham], Dr Walters [Cardiff]). The posts would typically suit trainees at CT3/ST4 or ST5 entry level, but interested trainees at any stage may apply. Research component The overarching goal of the Experimental Medicine Challenge Project funded by the MRC to the three centers (Nottingham, Cardiff and Manchester: PI Professor Bill Deakin) is to support the discovery of the next generation of treatment approaches in psychosis. The present study aims to define the disturbance in cortical glutamate and GABA function in psychosis using multiple modalities of neuroimaging (PET, MRI, 7T MRS, MEG). The MRC has provided clinical salary support for three clinical fellowships, one at each centre. The trainees will receive research training in conducting clinical interviews, symptom assessments, project management, neuroimaging data acquisition, research ethics and research governance, Good Clinical Practice in research and structured diagnostic assessments. The trainees will receive direct supervision from academic psychiatrists (Drs. Walters, Talbot & Palaniyappan) and will be supported and expected to enrol for a PhD/MD. Apart from general training support for doctoral studies, the trainees will also receive training for specific skills required for this cutting-edge neuroscience project. The three trainees (Manchester, Cardiff and Nottingham) will also form a CRF group with annual meetings at one of the three centres aimed at providing further academic training and mentoring from senior researchers (Professor Liddle, Professor Deakin, Professor Singh, Professor Morris). Clinical component The MRC funded project involves clinical research on patients with psychosis (both early and later stages). A substantial component of the trainee s time will be spent on screening, assessing and recruiting patients. The trainee will also be expected to take a leadership role in coordinating the clinical recruitment by liaising with Clinical Study Officers and to provide
medical leadership (under supervision) to a multidisciplinary research team that includes pharmacologists, physicists, nurses, psychiatrists, psychologists and radiologists. Approved higher specialist trainers, according to the trainee s choice of placement, will provide clinical supervision. Nottingham: The Centre for Translational Neuroimaging in Mental Health (TNMH) programme at the Institute of Mental Health, Nottingham has been at the forefront of research aimed at defining the mechanisms of symptom generation in psychosis. The group, led by Professor Liddle, has a strong track record of providing clinical academic training and to date, projects at TNMH have provided a consistent foundation of Clinical Lecturers and Academic Clinical Fellows / Foundation Trainees to develop core research competencies. These trainees have been greatly successful in producing peer-reviewed publications and winning high national laurels in academic psychiatry including Margaret Slack Fellowship, Douglas Bennett Prize, General Adult Faculty Research Prize, Academic Faculty Research Prize and Trent Research Prize. More recently, highly competitive Wellcome Research Training Fellowship was awarded to support clinical academic training in the TNMH programme. Trainees opting for a three-year OOPR will be supported to undertake MD/PhD supervised by Professor Liddle and Dr Palaniyappan at the University of Nottingham. In this case, training will be provided in neuroimaging data analysis and support will be offered to gain training credits in Research Methodology (offered by the University of Nottingham) in addition to the academic training specified above. There is no explicit Teaching component built in this job. But should there be an interest, the trainee will have opportunities to contribute to either the undergraduate (CP2 year) or the postgraduate (MRCPsych) teaching organised in Nottingham. Manchester: The Neuroscience and Psychiatry Unit (NPU) is a cohesive research group of clinical and nonclinical PhD students, post-docs lead by Professor Deakin and senior staff. It aims to develop novel psychological and pharmacological methods to prevent the onset, recurrence and deficits of psychosis, depression and addictions, through early detection and treatment, based on an understanding of cognitive and neurobiological mechanisms of vulnerability. State-of-the-art MR and PET imaging carried out in dedicated research facilities are the core methodologies used in almost all our publications (www.bii.manchester.ac.uk/, www.wtcrf.nhs.uk). Cognitive neuroscience and psychopharmacology are the group s key areas of expertise. The NPU is part of the Institute of Brain Behaviour and Mental Health (IBBMH) which contains active research groups in most areas of psychiatry funded by MRC and NIHR (www.bbmh.manchester.ac.uk). The Faculty of Medicine and Human Sciences and its Graduate School have a highly coordinated system for monitoring progress of PhDs and ensuring the best possible supervision, independent research advice and mentoring. For clinical researchers the Manchester Academic Health Science Centre (MAHSC) hosts the Manchester Integrated Clinical Academic Training (ICAT) programme specifically aimed to support the academic development of both undergraduate and postgraduate clinical trainees who aspire to follow a clinical academic career path. (www.mhs.manchester.ac.uk/icat/). The clinical fellow will be jointly supervised by Dr Talbot (Senior Lecturer and head of PET imaging in psychiatry) and Dr Deakin (Prof of Psychiatry) who has supervised over 20 PhDs. Dr Williams (Prof of Imaging Science) will provide technical supervision of MRS studies. Cardiff: The Cardiff fellow will work across two world-leading research centres within Cardiff University:
The Neuroscience and Mental Health Research Institute brings together world-class leaders in ground-breaking neuroscience and mental health research to seek answers to the major psychiatric disorders. The Research Institute s vision is to be an internationally-recognised centre of excellence in the field of neuroscience and mental health. Its mission is to drive the development of new research areas aimed at translating the fundamental discoveries made by Cardiff neuroscientists in the major psychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders into a greater understanding of disease mechanisms, classification and diagnosis. The Cardiff University Brain Research Imaging Centre (CUBRIC) is a University facility operated and supported by the School of Psychology. CUBRIC provides access to state-of-the-art brain scanning technologies, including structural and functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI and fmri), electro- and magneto-encephalography (EEG and MEG), and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). These facilities support world-leading, cross-university, collaborative research projects that encompass four main research themes in Imaging Science, Neuroscience, Clinical Research and Genomic Imaging. Cardiff University s commitment to neuroscience research has been confirmed with the recent opening of the flagship Hadyn Ellis Building (Institute of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences) and confirmation of funding for the development of a further world-leading brain imaging facility. The clinical fellow will be jointly supervised by Dr James Walters (Clinical Senior Lecturer, Schizophrenia and Psychosis Research Group) and Professor Krish Singh (Director of MEG, CUBRIC). The fellow will have the opportunity to enrol on the Cardiff University Neuroimaging MSc and will have access to the post-graduate support offered by the research institutes and Cardiff University. JOB DESCRIPTION The role Provide medical leadership (under supervision) of a multidisciplinary team. To build excellent working relationships within the Institute, Section, and with NHS Partners. Work in a team and contribute ideas and guidance to colleagues in the group. Identification and recruitment of patients with a diagnosis of psychosis. To effectively explain study protocols to participants and assist the Informed Consent process. Conducting medical screenings for patient and controls volunteers. In Nottingham/Manchester provide medical support during 13C Glucose MRS Imaging. In Manchester provide medical supervision during PET Imaging. Organise and prioritise own work and that of team. To follow standard operating procedures and study protocols. To be aware of and work within the guidelines of the Data Protection Act. To ensure safe secure storage of all forms of data i.e. study files, source data, electronic data. To undertake any necessary training and/or development.
Carry out analyses, critical evaluations, and interpretations using methodologies and other techniques appropriate to this area of research. Assistance with the preparation of reports for safety monitoring and internal review of research procedures. Preparation of manuscripts for publication. Present data to internal and external scientific audiences and to present updates to colleagues. Contribute to the design of strategies for future work and input into writing of grants. You could also be required to carry out any other duties commensurate with the grade of the post as directed by line manager as well as Head of Section. PERSON SPECIFICATION Knowledge and Experience Essential MBBS or equivalent Clinically qualified and GMC registered with a licence to practice Desirable MRCP/MRCPsych Previous clinical experience of the assessment and management of people diagnosed with a psychotic disorder such as schizophrenia Good Clinical Practice Training Previous experience of working in a clinical research setting Prior experience of gaining ethical permission to conduct research using clinical samples Computing experience, ideally including Windows, MS Office, Microsoft Word, Access and Excel software, electronic communication, databases An understanding of literature searching techniques Experience in Neuroimaging and/or Statistical Analysis Skills and Abilities Essential Effective interpersonal and communication skills, including presentational skills and ability to undertake written reports. Ability to work autonomously and as part of a multidisciplinary team. Willingness to undertake any necessary training for the role. Desirable The potential to publish in peer-reviewed high-impact journals and other forms of dissemination. Proven effective organisational and time management skills and an ability to meet deadlines. Methodical worker who is able to consistently pay close attention to detail.
Additional Information Because of the nature of the work for which you are applying, this post is exempted from the provisions of Section 4 (2) of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 by virtue of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975. Applicants are therefore, not entitled to withhold information about convictions, which for other purposes are spent under the provisions of the Act, and in the event of employment any failure to disclose such convictions could result in dismissal or disciplinary action by the University. Any information given will be strictly confidential and will be considered only in relation to an application for positions to which the Order applies. Applicants will be considered on an equal basis, subject to the relevant permission to work in the UK as defined by the requirements set out by the UK Border and Immigration Agency. Please visit http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/ for more information.