Rotational Nurse for Cancer Care Development

Job Overview

The University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust is pleased to offer a unique opportunity for early career researchers to develop their skills and experience in cancer care research. The My UHSx Research Accelerator Award is an annual programme designed to support individuals who are ready to take the next steps in their research career by developing a competitive application for a doctoral or postdoctoral fellowship.

The award provides a tailored programme of support with opportunities for networking and collaboration, access to methodological support, and up to 0.5 WTE salary backfill for 12 months for those in AfC Bands up to 8A & Medical Grade up to ST5 (*conditions apply). In addition to salary backfill, reasonable non-staff costs are available to cover travel, subsistence, training and development, and public involvement up to a maximum of £1400 for the term of the award.

Applicants are expected to have a strong interest in research, a commitment to completing the programme, full managerial support, and ability to attend the appropriate required academic elements of the programme including any required training sessions. The award is open to all health and care professionals employed by University Hospitals Sussex NHSFT and registered with any of the following:

• Academy for Healthcare Science
• General Chiropractic Council
• General Dental Council
• General Medical Council
• General Optical Council
• General Osteopathic Council
• General Pharmaceutical Council
• Health and Care Professions Council
• Nursing and Midwifery Council
• Social Work England
• UK Public Health Register

Please ensure you read the Pre-Application Guidance & Information which includes 5 mandatory questions you must add within the 'supporting information' section of your application.

Main Duties of the Job

The My UHSx Research Accelerator Award is designed to support early career researchers to develop competitive personal award applications at both doctoral and advanced stages to relevant UK funders. The award will provide a tailored programme of support with opportunities for networking and collaboration, access to methodological support, and up to 0.5 WTE salary backfill for 12 months for those in AfC Bands up to 8A & Medical Grade up to ST5 (*conditions apply). In addition to salary backfill, reasonable non-staff costs are available to cover travel, subsistence, training and development, and public involvement up to a maximum of £1400 for the term of the award.

What We Will Fund for This Award

• Time to undertake preparatory research work such as proof of principle data collection and analysis, small scale feasibility and public involvement work;
• Time to allow you to develop a competitive personal award application to a major UK funder including the National Institute for Health and Social Care Research (NIHR), UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), the Medical Research Council (MRC), the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) as well as major charitable funders like Wellcome Trust, Cancer Research UK and British Heart Foundation, etc;
• Time to engage in networking and collaborations that will enhance the likelihood of success in the proposed funding scheme.
• Time to undertake relevant training and development activities;

Applicants are expected to have a strong interest in research, a commitment to completing the programme, full managerial support, and ability to attend the appropriate required academic elements of the programme including any required training sessions. The award is open to all health and care professionals employed by University Hospitals Sussex NHSFT and registered with any of the following:

• Academy for Healthcare Science
• General Chiropractic Council
• General Dental Council
• General Medical Council
• General Optical Council
• General Osteopathic Council
• General Pharmaceutical Council
• Health and Care Professions Council
• Nursing and Midwifery Council
• Social Work England
• UK Public Health Register

Please ensure you read the Pre-Application Guidance & Information which includes 5 mandatory questions you must add within the 'supporting information' section of your application.

Working for Our Organisation

The My University Hospitals Sussex Research Accelerator Award is one of three exciting new research career development opportunities being provided in collaboration with the My University Hospitals Sussex Charity and is a key part of the Trust's ambitious new Research and Innovation Strategy. The strategy aims to increase access and engagement with clinical research across all parts of the organisation and to support career development which enables health and care practitioners from all professions to embed research in everyday clinical practice.

Detailed Job Description and Main Responsibilities

The My UHSx Accelerator Award will provide a tailored programme of support with opportunities for networking and collaboration and access to methodological support that will enhance the likelihood of success in the applicants proposed funding scheme. The Award will provide up to 0.5 WTE salary backfill for 12 months for those in AfC Bands up to 8A & Medical Grade up to ST5 (*conditions apply). In addition to salary backfill, reasonable non-staff costs are available to cover travel, subsistence, training and development and public involvement up to a maximum of £1400 for the term of the award.

We welcome applicants from a range of diverse careers paths and professions (see eligible professions list) including those working full or part time hours and are committed to promoting equity and inclusion and treating all applicants with dignity and respect.

Applications should align with Trust Patient First themes, address a regional or national health priority, involve co-production with the public/patients/service users or consider health inequalities.

There is an expectation that successful applicants will, over the course of their award, seek out opportunities to apply for future research funding to sustain and develop their research activity beyond the award period.

Conditions of the Award – for the duration of the award you must be able to maintain a 50/50 split of research fellowship and clinical role. Please note that it is possible to temporarily increase your hours for the duration of the fellowship if you do not currently work full time.

Person Specification

Eligible Registered Practitioner

Essential Criteria

• Current registration within eligible professional body
• Demonstrates relevant post registration clinical experience
• Demonstrates expected level of research experience up to pre-doctoral level

Relevant Research Focus

Essential Criteria

• Research Focus is relevant and realistic and aligned to Trust Patient First, national or regional health priorities etc
• Clearly articulates potential for research impact in practice

Academic & Research Leadership Potential

Essential Criteria

• Demonstrates strong interest/passion/commitment to championing research in practice
• Involved in activities which demonstrate potential as a research leader
• Able to clearly articulate expected career development options

Desirable Criteria

• Evidence of success - previous fellowships, awards or grants
• Evidence of dissemination - publications, conference presentations,
• Evidence of established academic collaboration - established with supervisory team or research group

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

Essential Criteria

• Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues
• Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role).

Important Information for Applicants

Flexible Working: If you would like to explore potential options regarding flexible working please speak with the appropriate recruiting/line manager.

DBS Checks: As part of our commitment to a safe working environment, we undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service check on all new employees where the role is eligible for a criminal record check. We make offers in line with the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1975.

Skilled Worker Visa: Applications for Skilled Worker sponsorship are welcome for those that meet the Visa and Immigrations eligibility criteria. For further information please visit the gov.uk website searching for Skilled Worker.

Closing Adverts Early: Please apply as early as you're able for this role. In the event of exceptional interest we may close adverts earlier than specified.

UHSussex reserves the right to close the role early if we receive a high volume of applications