ARUK Centre for Adolescent Rheumatology Clinical ResearchAssociate

(Honorary Specialist Registrar in Adolescent Rheumatology)

Unit / Adolescent Rheumatology – Division of Medicine
Grade / Clinical Research Associate CL7
Salary / £34,135 - £38,786 inclusive of London allowance per annum,depending on skills and experience
Reporting to / Dr John Ioannou
Duration / 1 year
Hours of work / week / 36.5
Annual leave / 27 days per annum
Interview date / 24th Sept 2013

INTRODUCTION

ARUK Centre for Adolescent Rheumatology: Arthritis Research UK, University College London (UCL, Division of Medicine and Institute of Child Health), UCL Hospital (UCLH), Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH), and GOSH Children’s Charity (GOSHCC) have entered into a joint funded Research Centre for Adolescent Rheumatology. This Centre is the first of its kind in the world and is carrying out clinical translational and basic research specific to adolescents with arthritis, plus, myositis and related conditions.

The Centre aims to deliver translation of basic scientific research developments into clinical benefit for patients with arthritis and other rheumatological disease, with a focus on the 10-25 year age group. UCL is one of the top Universities in the world, with superb facilities for biomedical science and its translation to human disease. Research into Rheumatological disease at UCL includes highly successful groups in both the Division of Medicine ( and at ICH (

The UCLSchool of Life and Medical Sciences brings together four UCL Facultiesto createone of the largest and most prestigious aggregations of academics in biomedical, life and population healthsciences.The Schoolhas a global reputation for teaching informed by cutting-edge research. For further information, please see: under the “About-us” link.

SLMS comprises four Faculties:

Brain Sciences

Life Sciences

Medical Sciences

Population Health Sciences

The Institute of Child Health is within the Faculty of Population Health Sciences, which brings together expertise in Child Health, Women's and Reproductive Health, Population Health and Cardiovascular Science in a unique grouping that spans the lifecourse.

UNIVERSITY COLLEGE LONDON

University College London is London’s leading multidisciplinary university, with 8,000 staff and 22,000 students from over 150 countries.

Based in the heart of London, UCL was the first university in England to welcome students of any class, race or religion, and the first to welcome women on equal terms with men. This same radical spirit thrives today.

UCL was ranked 4th in the world in the 2012/13 QS World University Rankings, and our publications in clinical medicine attract more citations from fellow researchers than any other university outside North America. Our excellence extends across all academic disciplines; from one of Europe’s largest and most productive centres for biomedical science interacting with eleven leading London hospitals, to world-renowned centres for architecture (UCL Bartlett) and fine art (UCL Slade School).

In the 2008 Research Assessment Exercise (RAE) UCL was rated the best research university in London, and third in the UK overall, for the number of its submissions which were considered of ‘world-leading quality’. The RAE confirmed UCL’s multidisciplinary research strength with outstanding results achieved across the subjects, ranging from Biomedicine, Science and Engineering, and the Built Environment to Laws, Social Sciences, Arts and Humanities. UCL put forward over 1,800 submissions in 49 of the 67 Units of Assessment. In the vast majority of UCL’s submissions, at least 50% were ranked at either the highest grade of 4* (‘of world-leading quality’), or 3* (‘internationally excellent’).

The post

Applications are invited from talented and motivated clinical trainees who wish to develop clinical skills and a research portfolio in the sub-specialty area of Adolescent Rheumatology. Applications from clinical trainees from either paediatric or adult training environments will be considered and are welcome.

Primary aim of this post:

  • to engage with a research project which has a central theme that is clearly focussed within the area of Adolescent Rheumatology. There is a portfolio of projects within the Centre that the candidate may choose from. Over the course of the year, the candidate will generate pilot data that is expected to underpin a further application to other funding bodies for a Clinical Research Fellowship. There is an expectation that the successful candidate will ultimately continue with the chosen project and complete a PhD.

Other duties and responsibilities:

  • The successful applicant will be expected to participate in the academic ‘life’ of the department and the Centre.
  • Do one Adolescent Rheumatology outpatient clinic per week.
  • Undertake some undergraduate teaching in Adolescent Rheumatology
  • Collaborate between the adolescent and paediatric units across UCLH and GOSH to facilitate transfer of samples and recruitment of adolescent patients as relevant to the chosen project. The successful candidate will hold honorary contracts with both UCLH and GOSH.
  • Prepare progress reports and eventually publish research undertaken by application
  • The post holder will carry out any other duties as are within the scope, spirit and purpose of the job as requested by the line manager or Head of Department/Division
  • The post holder will actively follow UCL policies including Equal Opportunities and Race Equality policies
  • The post holder will maintain an awareness and observation of Fire and Health & Safety Regulations.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Clinical RESEARCH Fellow

The candidate should provide evidence in his/her application of the following:

Essential Criteria / Desirable criteria
Qualifications / MRCPCH/MRCP (or equivalent) / BSc, MSc, MD (or equivalent)
Training / Evidence of some clinical experience relating to adolescent rheumatology from either the paediatric or adult clinical setting / Possession of a current National Training Number (NTN) in Paediatrics or Adult Rheumatology
Medical Education / Experience of undergraduate and postgraduate teaching / Formal training in teaching skills
Research skills / Interest in research
Prepared to undertake a higher research degree - PhD
Attendance at scientific meetings / Author of peer reviewed publications
Presentation(s) to learned societies
Management skills / Evidence of basic management skills / Formal management training
Clinical Governance / Evidence of involvement in multi-disciplinary audit / Formal audit training
Understanding of clinical governance
Personal skills / Good organisational skills
Good communication skills
Ability to develop good working relationships as part of a team
Commitment to continuing professional development
Sensitivity to the needs of a multi cultural community, including refugees.