Child Life and Health
University of Edinburgh
Centre for Reproductive Health
Edinburgh Medical School: School of Clinical Sciences
20 Sylvan Place
Edinburgh EH9 1UW
Tel: (0131) 536 0803
Research Fellow
University of Edinburgh, Muir Maxwell Epilepsy Centre, Child Life and Health and the Department of
Clinical Neurosciences, Western General Hospital Edinburgh.
We are looking for a highly motivated trainee with an interest in neurology to undertake a Scotland wide case
control study of epilepsy related deaths. This is the first time such a study has been undertaken in the adult Scottish
population. It aims to elucidate the standard mortality rate of epilepsy, and to explore all the possible causes of
premature mortality in people with epilepsy with the ultimate aim of ascertaining what percentage of them might
have been avoided through better service delivery, and patient/carer education.
The successful applicant will join the multi-disciplinary epilepsy team at the Western General Hospital Edinburgh
and will have the opportunity to attend epilepsy clinics, epilepsy surgery planning meetings, learn the basics of
EEG and polysomnography, and if they wish, attend sleep clinics.
Applicants must have a qualification that is registrable with the General Medical Council. Applicants
must have been engaged since graduation for at least one year either in scientific work bearing directly
on the candidate’s profession, or in the practice of Medicine or Surgery. They will work in the South East
of Scotland, either employed as a member of staff of the University of Edinburgh, or as an NHS
employee, or as a research worker employed or self-financed or grant-funded, in the University of
Edinburgh or an associated institution or an NHS establishment.
The post is available on a fixed term basis for 2 years.
Informal enquiries may be directed to:
Dr Susan Duncan, Consultant Neurologist, and Honorary Senior Lecturer, Edinburgh and South East Scotland
Epilepsy Service, Western General Hospital Edinburgh
0131 537 3277
susan.duncan4@nhs.net
Dr Richard Chin, Senior Lecturer and Director of the Muir Maxwell Epilepsy Centre, Department of Child Life
and Health, 20 Sylvan Place Edinburgh
0131 536 0841
r.chin@ed.ac.uk
Purpose of Job
To identify all deaths in people living in Scotland, between 2009-2014 inclusive, with a diagnosis of epilepsy. The
post holder will be expected to liaise with the National Records of Scotland, Information Services Scotland and the
Farr Institute to identify the cohort.
Once patients have been identified the post holder will be required, in certain cases, to visit other neurological
centres in Scotland to collect more data on individual cases.
The post holder will then be expected to match the cases identified with live cases available from the Edinburgh
and South East Scotland Database. Initially the post holder will be expected to validate the database as it now
stands.
Main Responsibilities
The post holder will be expected to establish a close working relationship with colleagues in electronic Data
Research and Innovation Institute, Scotland (eDRIS) Part of the Farr Institute based at Edinburgh Royal Infirmary
Science Park, as they will provide the majority of data. They will also be expected to be in contact with all epilepsy
specialist nurses in Scotland and consultant neurologists. They will be expected to send out an electronic mail shot
to these individuals every three months asking for details of any deaths of patients with epilepsy known to them.
For each death the post holder will be expected to complete a proforma (which has already been devised and
piloted).
In the case of being informed of a death thought to be due to SUDEP (sudden unexplained death in epilepsy) they
will be expected to arrange a meeting with the practitioner to complete the proforma and learn as much about the
death as possible. (60%) of time.
The post holder will be expected to collate the data and find controls from the data base and input data into the
control database (20%)
There will also be the opportunity to contribute to statistical analysis under the supervision of the project
statistician.
The post holder will be expected to contribute to the preparation of manuscripts for peer reviewed journals, and
keep accurate records of the project research and administrative paperwork (10%).
Keep up to date with current research on the field of this project (5%), and undertake appropriate project based
duties as required by the chief investigator (5%)
Planning and Organising
It is expected that the post holder will be of sufficient experience to manage the day to day tasks required to
complete the project objectives in a timely manner, including collection and collation of data.
The post holder is expected to use their own initiative under the guidance of senior staff (Dr Duncan, Dr Chin, and
Dr Derry). In addition, the post holder must be able to manage and prioritise unexpected work should it arise.
Problem Solving
The post holder is required to work with the project team to solve any practical problems that arise with the
administration of the project. They will be expected to work with the team in deciding which reports to draft and
submit for peer reviewed journals and at international conferences.
The post holder will be expected to publish and present on behalf of the project.
Decision Making
The post holder must be able to work independently with supervision (supervising clinicians noted in “Job
Context” section). Personal time management will be key to completion of this project.
Key Contacts/Relationships
There will be weekly meeting with Dr Duncan throughout this project unless the post holder is on annual or study
leave. The post holder will also be expected to establish a relationship with the NHS Lothian Department of
Neurology and the Neurophysiology Department. In addition, making contact and maintaining good relationships
with all the neurosciences centres in Scotland will be essential.
Knowledge and Skills Required
Essential
Full GMC registration. Possession of MRCP (UK) or equivalent.
Ability to communicate complex information clearly.
Ability to multi-task and prioritise tasks.
Enthusiasm for the project
Desirable
Previous neurology experience, or knowledge/experience of epilepsy. Or a knowledge and experience of
epidemiology.
Previous research experience in the NHS, and previous experience of publication in peer reviewed journals.
Dimensions
The post will be part based in the Muir Maxwell Epilepsy Centre (Chancellors Building, Edinburgh Royal
Infirmary) and the Department of Clinical Neurosciences Western General Hospital Edinburgh (please note the
department will relocate to a new building in late 2017 or early 2018, at the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary site).
The post holder will be expected to visit all the neuroscience centres in Scotland (Glasgow, Dundee, and
Aberdeen) as well as other hospitals when required to by the supervisor. Thus, the post holder must be prepared to
visit anywhere from the Borders to Inverness (it is unlikely the post holder would have to visit the islands).
Job Context
The post holder will be supervised by Dr Susan Duncan and Dr Richard Chin. Dr Christopher Derry will deputise
for Dr Duncan on occasion. The post holder will be expected to work flexibly and responsibly in response to
project needs and to deliver the project within the timescale.
Protection of Vulnerable Groups Scheme (PVG)
This post is subject to registration with the Protection of Vulnerable Groups scheme, for regulated work with
children. Employment in this post is conditional on the successful post holder being able to obtain/holding PVG
scheme membership. The successful candidate will not be permitted to commence employment until this has been
confirmed.
Information provided will be kept confidential and individuals will not be discriminated against unnecessarily due
to non-relevant offending background. If you require further information on the PVG scheme please visit:
www.disclosurescotland.co.uk.
Salary
The role is grade AMN2 and will attract an annual salary of £38,668 to £40,896 for 40 hours each week. Salary is
paid monthly by direct transfer to your Bank or Building Society account, normally the 28th of the month.
Pension Scheme
This role is grade AMN2 and therefore the post holder is automatically included in membership of the Universities
Superannuation Scheme (USS), subject to the USS membership criteria, unless they indicate that they choose not
to join the Scheme.
For further information please visit our pensions website http://www.ed.ac.uk/schoolsdepartments/finance/pensions/scheme-details/uss
Eligibility to Work
In accordance with the Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Act 2006 the University of Edinburgh, as an
employer, has a legal responsibility to prevent illegal working and therefore must check that all employees are
entitled to work in the United Kingdom (UK).
To do so, the University of Edinburgh requires to see original documents evidencing right to work in the UK
before commencement of employment and this is normally carried out at interview. Details will be provided in any
letter of invitation to interview.
For further information on eligibility to work please visit our eligibility to work website
If you are not currently eligible to work in the UK, it may be possible for the University of Edinburgh to sponsor
you to obtain a Tier 2 (General) visa to enable you to take up the appointment should you be successful at
interview.
For applicants interested in sponsorship information is available on our Working in the UK website
However, if you have previously been sponsored by an employer within the UK but your leave has expired or
lapsed and you are no longer in the UK, according to Home Office Visa Immigration rules you cannot apply for
sponsorship under any category of Tier 2 for a period of 12 months after the date your visa expired and/or you left
the UK.
If you are an academic in the field of sciences; humanities; engineering; medicine; digital technology; or the arts
and come from outside the EEA, it may be possible for you to apply for a Tier 1 (Exceptional Talent) visa.
The Tier 1 (Exceptional Talent) visa route offers a greater flexibility in your employment compared to other UK
immigration routes, meaning you can, for example, move organisation, location and/or job role. By contrast with, a
Tier 2 visa where you are ‘tied to a UK sponsor’. Tier 1 provides greater flexibility in undertaking additional
engagements, such as collaborations and is intended as a route to settlement. Allowed absences from the UK are up
to 180 days per year without losing the eligibility to qualify for settlement, with no restriction on the reason for
absence (unlike Tier 2, where any absences from the UK must be for a purpose consistent with the person’s
employment or economic activity, including paid annual leave, or for serious or compelling personal reasons).
You would initially need to apply to be endorsed as an internationally recognised leader or emerging leader in your
particular field by a designated competent body (Arts Council England, British Academy, Royal Academy of
Engineering, Royal Society, Tech City UK).
Tier1 (Exceptional and Exceptional Promise) Endorsement Criteria
Once successfully endorsed, you are able to apply for a Tier 1 (Exceptional Talent) visa. More information on this
entry route is available at UKVI Website.
Application Procedure
All applicants should apply online by clicking the “apply” button at the foot of this page. The application process
is quick and easy to follow, and you will receive email confirmation of safe receipt of your application. The online
system allows you to submit a CV and other attachments.
Closing date: Monday 2nd November 2015
Interview date
You will be notified by email whether you have been shortlisted for interview or not.
Start Date
The post is available from 5th of January 2016 but an earlier start date may be negotiable.
Child Life and Health (http://www.crh.ed.ac.uk/clah)
(Professor Jürgen Schwarze – Edward Clark Chair of Child Life)
CLaH seeks to foster and deliver internationally leading research and training into the causes, consequences and
management of childhood onset diseases as well as optimising the healthy development of children and young
people. CLaH is the main hub of paediatric medical teaching for the University of Edinburgh providing both
undergraduate and postgraduate teaching in paediatric and adolescent medicine and leads a number of distance
learning courses. CLaH has unrivalled environment for training and research, benefiting from direct links with the
Children’s Clinical Research Facility (CCRF) and the Royal Hospital for Sick Children. Some of our staff and
students enjoy the benefits of placement within other research institutes at the University of Edinburgh such as the
Centre for Reproductive Health, sited at the Bioquarter Campus beside the new Royal Infirmary where the new
CLaH, CCRF and New Royal Hospital for Sick Children will open in 2017.
Centre for Reproductive Health (http://www.crh.ed.ac.uk)
(Director, Professor Jeffrey W Pollard) conducts fundamental and applied research that aims to develop novel
treatments for the major unmet needs in reproductive disorders and to exploit impacts of this research across
medicine. The internationally competitive research activity of reproductive scientists based within the Centre is
augmented by clinical activities based within the adjacent Royal Infirmary and Simpson Centre for Reproductive
Health. The Centre provides an unrivalled environment for training and has a strong track record in public
engagement and knowledge exchange.
Research in MRC-CRH is organised into three themes co-led by an academic based in CRH and a scientist based
in a complementary Centre within the Little France campus, emphasising the collaborative nature of research
within CRH. Theme 1. The niche in long-term germ cell function and tissue regeneration: studies focus on
regulation of reproductive stem cell niches in the ovary, endometrium and testis including the impacts of sex
steroid hormones in these tissue systems. Theme 2. Scarless healing: includes studies on the mechanisms by which
the ovary and endometrium undergo relentless cycles of inflammation and repair with restoration of function.
Particular areas of interest include the anti-inflammatory effects of oestrogens and the disturbances that contribute
to disorders such as heavy periods, ectopic pregnancy and endometriosis. Theme 3. Developmental programming
in reproductive health and reproductive resilience: elucidating the importance and causes of developmental (fetal)
‘programming’ by adversity in the maternal (uterine) environment which a crucial impact on the offspring’s
lifelong health that extends into a second generation. Adverse influences of current interest are “nutritional”
(under- or over-) “ecological” (e.g. smoking, pollutants),, “hormonal” (glucocorticoids, sex steroids) or
“inflammatory” (preterm labour).
School of Clinical Sciences (http://www.ed.ac.uk/schools-departments/clinical-sciences)
The School of Clinical Sciences (Head, Professor Hilary Critchley) has an international reputation in clinical based
research through the combination of basic, clinical and translational science and epidemiological studies, and as a
part of the College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine, offers unparalleled opportunities for ground-breaking
interdisciplinary research in the bio-medical sciences.
The School comprises 5 interdisciplinary Research Centres: the University of Edinburgh/BHF Centre for
Cardiovascular Sciences (Director, Professor Brian Walker), the MRC Centre for Inflammation Research
(Director, Professor Moira Whyte), the MRC Centre for Regenerative Medicine (Director, Professor Charles
French-Constant), the Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences (Director, Professor Siddharthan Chandran), the MRC
Centre for Reproductive Health (Director, Professor Jeff Pollard); plus a Division of Health Sciences (Head,
Professor Peter Hayes) incorporating 7 clinical specialties; and the Edinburgh Dental Institute (Director, Professor
Angus Walls).
Clinical Sciences employs around 730 members of academic and support staff and has over 550 Honorary
members who contribute significantly to teaching and research. The School is a major contributor to the
undergraduate MBChB curriculum and has approximately 1000 registered post graduate students studying a range
of PhD, MD, taught and research MSc and on-line distance learning programmes. The School can be found at the
Little France site (Queen’s Medical Research Institute, Chancellor’s Building, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh the
Scottish Centre for Regenerative Medicine in the Bioquarter), the Royal Hospital for Sick Children, the Lauriston
Building, Lauriston Place, the Western General Hospital and the Royal Edinburgh Hospital.
In the most recent UK Research Assessment Exercise, Clinical Medicine was rated top out of 28 submissions in
the whole UK.
The College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine
The College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine traces its origins back nearly 500 years (Darwin, Simpson and
Conan-Doyle were students here) and is internationally renowned for its research and teaching. Headed by
Professor Sir John Savill, the only conjoint Medical and Veterinary Medical School in the UK employs over 2300
academic and support staff within the College and the four Schools; Biomedical Sciences ; Molecular, Genetic and
Population Health Sciences; Clinical Sciences and Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies.
http://www.ed.ac.uk/schools-departments/medicine-vet-medicine/about/medical-schools/biomedical
http://www.ed.ac.uk/schools-departments/medicine-vet-medicine/about/medical-schools/molecular-clinical-med
http://www.ed.ac.uk/schools-departments/medicine-vet-medicine/about/medical-schools/clinical-sciences
http://www.ed.ac.uk/schools-departments/medicine-vet-medicine/about/medical-schools/vet-school
The undergraduate medicine teaching programme in the College enjoys a high reputation nationally and
internationally, with over 1,300 students enrolled on the MBChB and Intercalated courses and nearly 1000 on the
Veterinary Sciences BVS and related programmes. In addition, approximately 2000 students are currently enrolled
in the College’s taught and research post-graduate courses, including an extensive range of online distance learning
diplomas and degrees. They are trained by over 1000 outstanding academic staff. Details of PhDs, research
programmes and studentships are available through our interdisciplinary research institutes and centres
(http://www.ed.ac.uk/schools-departments/medicine-vet-medicine/research/institutes/centres).
The academic disciplines within Medicine are largely concentrated in the two teaching hospital campuses, the
Royal Infirmary at Little France and the Western General Hospital. Both have extensive new infrastructure with
major research institutes and state of the art research facilities on clinical sites. Edinburgh hosts a number of
prestigious MRC and BHF Research Centres. The approach is interdisciplinary, with basic and clinical researchers
working together at the laboratory bench and in our clinical research facilities to address major themes in basic,
clinical and translational medicine.
The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Science on the Easter Bush campus houses outstanding teaching and
clinical facilities as well as the splendid Roslin Institute, one of the world’s leading veterinary research centres.
The College offers outstanding opportunities to address ‘One Health’ and Global Health problems of the highest
international priority.
Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2014
The College’s reputation as one of the world’s leading centres of medical and veterinary medical research has been
reaffirmed by its UK REF2014 results. Medicine, the University’s largest submission, was ranked in the top 5 in
the UK. Veterinary Medicine came 1st in the UK, and retained its position as the UK’s top Vet School. It made a
joint submission with Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC). Neuroscience was ranked 3rd in the UK out of 82
submissions, representing a major advance. Overall, 84% of the College’s research activity was rated world
leading or internationally excellent (3* and 4*). In terms of ‘one medicine’ research (human and animal medicine),
the University of Edinburgh’s research power (quality x volume) is the strongest in the UK.
The University of Edinburgh
For more than four centuries, our people and their achievements have rewritten history time and again. They’ve
explored space, revolutionised surgery, published era-defining books, paved the way for life-saving medical
breakthroughs and introduced to the world many inventions, discoveries and ideas from penicillin to Dolly the
sheep. We have believed that anything is possible.
We still do. The latest Research Excellence Framework highlighted our place at the forefront of international
research. This adds to our international reputation for the quality of our teaching and our student experience
excellence.
As a member of staff you will be part of one of the world's leading universities, with 22 Schools spread over 3
Colleges that offer more than 500 undergraduate and 160 postgraduate courses to over 35,000 students each year.
Professional services are critical to this success as well as our world-class teaching, research and student facilities.
In fact, we are one of the top employers in Edinburgh, with over 12,000 people spread across a wide range of
academic and supporting roles.
The University is proud of its success with online teaching initiatives, with 1905 students currently studying its
online distance learning postgraduate programmes, and a total to date of 1 million enrolments for Edinburgh
MOOCs.
As a world-changing, world-leading university we are an exciting, positive, creative, challenging and rewarding
place to work. We give you support, nurture your talent, develop and reward success and integrate academic,
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the representation of women in science, mathematics, engineering and technology. We are also Stonewall Scotland
Diversity Champions actively promoting LGBT equality.
The University has a range of initiatives to support a family friendly working environment. See our
University Initiatives website
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