Clinical Senior Lecturer in Immuno-Oncology

Job summary

**Important**

Please apply for this post via the Cardiff University website only and search for vacancy number 17992BR.

This is an exceptional opportunity to join a new and exciting immuno-oncology research initiative with Cardiff University and Velindre University NHS Trust in the emerging Cardiff Cancer Research Hub. Applications are invited from both Medical and Clinical Oncologists with relevant interest and expertise. Our aim is to work across organisations to deliver translational research creating close working relationships between clinicians and scientists. The role can be mainly laboratory based, working with one or more of our pre-clinical teams or more clinically orientated by bringing new therapies to patients. We are in the process of developing novel vaccines, cell therapies, repurposed drugs and small molecules as immunotherapies.

For informal enquiries, please contact Professors Awen Gallimore or Andrew Sewell (non-clinical), Professors Mererid Evans or Andrew Godkin (clinical).

Emails:

This post is full time ( hours per week), available immediately and initially fixed term until 31 March 2029. The position will be formally reviewed under our contract management procedures, and may or may not be renewed.

Please see full Job Description in Supporting Documents.

Main duties of the job

Job Purpose

To conduct research within Cardiff University laboratories and as part of our immuno-oncology clinical trials research team to contribute to accelerating immunotherapy research through development of novel therapies and / or building understanding of immunotherapy mechanisms and bringing novel agents through to the clinic for patient benefit. The post is also designed to generate research proposals to win prestigious grant funding. The post is co-funded by Velindre University NHS Trust, the Wales Cancer Research Centre and Cardiff University Systems Immunity Institute, and is a key post within the Cardiff Cancer Research Hub, a clinical and translational research hub set-up in partnership between Velindre, Cardiff University and Cardiff and Vale University Health Board to deliver novel treatments through to the clinic. The service delivery component of the post will be entirely focussed on cancer clinical trial development and delivery, so that the successful candidate will be able to focus their time entirely on research activity.

About us

Working at Cardiff University offers you competitive remuneration, an impressive array of benefits, excellent career development and a positive working environment.

We are one of the UKs most innovative, ambitious, and successful universities and recognise that our success depends largely upon the commitment, energy and enthusiasm of our people.

That's why we strive to provide excellent working conditions and policies for our staff, with benefits ranging from generous leave entitlement to training and development opportunities.

We are committed to supporting and promoting equality and diversity. Our inclusive environment welcomes applications from talented people from diverse backgrounds.

Join us and help us achieve our ambition of becoming a world-leading, research-excellent, educationally outstanding university, driven by creativity and curiosity, which fulfils its social, cultural and economic obligations to Cardiff, Wales, and the world.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Main Duties and Responsibilities

Research

To pursue research in novel immunotherapies and / or building understanding of immunotherapy mechanisms Clinical oncologists will additionally be expected to pursue research in immunotherapy/radiotherapy interactions To disseminate research findings using appropriate and effective publications, national/international meetings and conferences, and research seminars To prepare external funding applications as well as research ethics and research governance applications as appropriate To participate in oncology patient management in immuno-oncology, Advanced Therapy Medicinal Product (ATMP) and other relevant clinical trials at the Cardiff Cancer Research Hub (CCRH) based at the University Hospital of Wales (UHW) To become familiar with immuno-oncology/ATMP trial protocols and working practice within the Early Phase and wider research teams at Velindre Cancer Centre (VCC) and the Cardiff Cancer Research Hub (CCRH) To promote unifying cross-site working practice between VCC trials unit and the CCRH on UHW site To promote cohesive solid tumour early phase trial activity within South Wales To act as supervisor/co-supervisor for postgraduate research (PGR) students including masters and doctoral students To contribute to PGR progress monitoring as chair or member of review panels

Teaching (from Year 3 onwards)

To contribute to undergraduate medical teaching in the School of Medicine as set out by the College of Biomedical and Life Sciences (BLS) and the forthcoming School of Medicine Teaching Charter (the precise level will be commensurate with the FTE appointment and concurrent Academic/Leadership duties) To undertake work associated with examinations, such as setting and marking assessments and providing student feedback To provide specialist lectures for the undergraduate medical curriculum To lecture and act as project supervisor for BSc Intercalated students To act as project supervisor for Student Selected Component (SSC) projects To act as a Personal Tutor and provide academic advice and pastoral support to students

Clinical

To hold and maintain a Licence to Practise with the General Medical Council To hold an honorary consultant contract with the relevant NHS Trust(s) Velindre University NHS Trust and Cardiff and Vale University Health Board To provide Direct Clinical Care and Supporting Professional Activities, in line with the provisions of the amended Consultant Contract for Wales To provide a consultant-led immuno-oncology/ATMP clinical trial service, including outpatient clinics and in-patient care, as agreed with the Clinical Director of Velindre Cancer Centre, via the Job Planning process - this will involve activity based primarily at the Cardiff Cancer Research Hub (CCRH) on the University Hospital of Wales (UHW) site, and some cross-working across Velindre and UHW sites (after a 3 year period the dedicated commitment for trial delivery forming the entire clinical component will be reviewed and may be subject to change) Clinical Oncologists will have a radiotherapy planning and peer review session, in order to enable them to maintain radiotherapy expertise required to deliver immunotherapy - radiotherapy research portfolio Provide telephone advice and to liaise with other health care providers, hospitals and primary care teams, as required To undertake the professional supervision and management of junior staff - in certain circumstances, the post-holder may be named as the person responsible for overseeing the training of junior staff To participate actively in clinical audit, in liaison with other colleagues and in line with the NHS Trust policy on the implementation of clinical governance To participate actively in Continuing Professional Development, in line with guidance from the Royal College of Physicians and in agreement with the Chief Executive of the relevant NHS Trust(s)

Other

To engage effectively with industrial, commercial, and public sector organisations, charities, professional institutions, other academic institutions etc., regionally and nationally to raise awareness of Cardiff Universitys and Velindres profile, to cultivate strategically valuable alliances, and to pursue opportunities for collaboration across a range of activities - these activities are expected to contribute to the Cardiff Cancer Research Hub and the enhancement of its regional and national profile To undergo personal and professional development that is appropriate to, and which will enhance performance To support and promote the Wales Cancer Research Strategy (CReSt) launched in 2022, as well as that of Velindre Cancer R&D Ambitions 2021-31 and the Cardiff University Cancer Strategy 2023 To engage with Velindre and Cardiff University School of Medicine research partners, including patients, patient and public representatives to develop and promote cancer research - the role will specifically require engagement with clinicians from cancer centres across Wales, Centre for Trials Research and scientists from across different Schools and Colleges within Cardiff University To participate in School administration and activities to promote the School and its work to the wider University and the outside world Any other duties not included above, but consistent with the role

The post holder will also be expected:

To maintain scientific competency by attending relevant lectures, courses, seminars and conferences To participate actively in the academic appraisal To contribute to the effective management of the Division, School and Research Theme at College, within the University To provide leadership that ensures Tripartite Collaboration between Cardiff and Vale; Cardiff University and Velindre and enables success of the Cardiff Cancer Research Hub To ensure compliance with legal and regulatory requirements in respect of equality and diversity, data protection, copyright and licensing, security, financial and other University policies, procedures and codes as appropriate To perform other academic duties, on an occasional basis, and by agreement, which are not included above, but which are consistent with the role

The clinical base for this post will be at the Cardiff Cancer Research Hub on UHW (Heath Park) site and Velindre NHS Trust, with the possibility of clinical sessions at other hospitals in South Wales, as appropriate. The estimated number of new patient referrals per annum is 75 100.

The academic base will be in School of Medicine, Cardiff University laboratories/other research areas, at the University Hospital of Wales (Heath Park, Cardiff).

The following clinical academics work in the immuno-oncology/ATMP trial clinic in Cardiff and have joint posts between Cardiff University and Velindre University NHS Trust:

Professor Robert Jones, Consultant Medical Oncologist, Cardiff University-Velindre

Dr Magda Meissner, Consultant Medical Oncologist, Cardiff University-Velindre

Professor Mererid Evans, Consultant Clinical Oncologist, Cardiff University-Velindre

Dr James Powell, Consultant Clinical Oncologist, Cardiff University-Velindre

There is also a large team of oncologists delivering early phase and drug-radiotherapy studies at Velindre including Dr Paul Shaw (Consultant Clinical Oncologist), Dr Amy Quinton (Consultant Medical Oncologist), Dr Satish Kumar (Consultant Medical Oncologist), Dr Ricky Fraser (Consultant Medical Oncologist) and Dr Tom Wilson (Consultant Medical Oncologist).

These individuals are supported by a team of Clinical Research Fellows and research delivery nurses, as well as highly collaborative discovery and translational researchers at the University.

Appropriate office accommodation, internet access and administrative support will be provided to the successful post holder.

The post holder will be required to actively participate in, and comply fully with, the clinical academic/NHS Joint Appraisal Process and the requirements for consultant re-validation. The required arrangements are in place, as laid down by the Royal College of Physicians, to ensure that all doctors have an annual appraisal with a trained appraiser and supports clinical academic staff going through the revalidation process.

The University encourages mentoring to new and existing staff and runs its own mentoring scheme in addition to promoting mentoring networks, such as the Women in Universities Mentoring Scheme (WUMS).

Velindre NHS Trust supports the requirements for Continuing Professional Development as laid down by the Royal College of Physicians and is committed to providing time and financial support for these activities.

Clinically, you will have ongoing responsibility for the care of patients in your charge at the Cardiff Cancer Research Hub/University Hospital of Wales and Velindre University NHS Trust (VUNHST), in liaising with consultant colleagues, and for the proper functioning of the Site Specific Team in line with the Operational Policy and strategic plan (as amended from time to time).

It is a standard element of the role and responsibilities of all the staff of the Trust that they fulfil a proactive role towards the management of risk in all their actions. This entails the risk assessment of all situations, the taking of appropriate actions and reporting of all incidents, near misses and hazards.

You will be required to co-operate with local management in the efficient running of services within Velindre Cancer Centre and an expectation to share with consultant colleagues in the medical contribution to management.

You will be required to work within the financials and other restraints decided upon by the Velindre UNHST.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

Full General Medical Council registration and Licence to practise Membership/Fellowship of the Royal College of Physicians (UK), or equivalent Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT), or equivalent and registration on the Specialist Register for Clinical or Medical Oncology (or be within 6 months of eligibility for inclusion) Postgraduate research degree, MD or PhD or equivalent, relevant to the research area outlined in the job description

Experience

Essential

Significant experience of the management of cancer patients An understanding with evidence of the importance of the clinical impact of health research A strong track-record of academic success in the NHS and/or in a higher education institution Evidence of vision and previous strategic leadership including the ability to lead on the integration of partnerships between NHS, Cardiff University and/or Industry Proven communication and networking skills, evidence of successful relationship building, initiative, and excellent project management abilities Experience of medical undergraduate and postgraduate teaching and supervision and clear evidence of commitment to nurture and support the development of the next generation of cancer research leaders

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