TWO NIHR LECTURESHIPS IN NEUROLOGY
DEPARTMENT OF NEUROLOGY ROYAL HALLAMSHIRE HOSPITAL
AND
DEPARTMENT OF NEUROSCIENCE, FACULTY OF MEDICINE, DENTISTRY
AND HEALTH
UNIVERSITY OF SHEFFIELD, UK
We are looking for an excellent candidates for two Clinical Lectureships in Neurology. These Clinical Lectureships have
been awarded as part of the prestigious UKCRC / NIHR integrated academic training pathway. The posts form an
integral part of the Neurology clinical academic training programme led by Programme Director Dr Christopher McDermott
and Neurology Academic Lead Professor Pam Shaw.
The posts represent an exciting opportunity to combine clinical training in Neurology with a programme of postdoctoral research and attract an Academic National Training Number [NTN(A)] in Neurology as part of the Sheffield
rotation in Neurology. The successful applicant will be expected to have evidence of academic achievement and to have
undertaken a programme of work leading to an MD or PhD. They will have the MRCP (UK) or equivalent examination and
be eligible to hold an NTN in Neurology.
The appointees will integrate into the Department of Neuroscience, which is one of the five constituent departments of the
School. The posts will allow the appointees to combine specialist clinical training in Neurology with a post-doctoral
programme of research. The detailed job plan will be organised specifically for the appointed person, but it is anticipated
that the post will involve a 50% / 50% split of clinical and academic work respectively.
These full time posts are tenable immediately. The appointment is tenable for a maximum of four years, renewable
annually subject to satisfactory work and progress. Applicants should have completed a minimum of two years General
Professional Training (GPT) in approved posts and obtained the MRCP(UK) or equivalent. A period of experience in
neurology at SHO grade is essential. GPT should provide a minimum of 24 months involved with direct patient care, at
least 12 months of which should be concerned with acute unselected medical intake.
The Clinical Lecturers will join the Academic Neurology Unit within the Department of Neurosciences and will join a team
of ~70 staff and graduate students including a Clinical Professor, a Non Clinical Professor, a Clinical Reader, two Senior
Clinical Lecturers, two Non Clinical Senior Lecturers, four Clinical Lecturers and four Non Clinical Lecturers. Within the
Clinical Department of Neurology, based at the Royal Hallamshire Hospital, the postholder will join a group of 20
Consultant Neurologists/Honorary Senior Lecturers including an Honorary Professor and Reader. This post will be
supported by excellent facilities for research, including the new state of the art 2,800m 2 research facility the Sheffield
Institute of Translational Neuroscience (SITraN).
Existing research strengths within Sheffield Neurology are in the areas of neurodegeneration (motor neuron
disorders, dementias, movement disorders), neuromuscular disease, neurogenetics, cerebrovascular disease,
epilepsy/functional neurology, multiple sclerosis/neuroinflammation and neuroimaging. The applicant may add critical
mass in any of these areas or alternatively bring an additional strong clinical neuroscience research area. This post has a
significant amount of protected time (6 months out of every 12) for research activities.
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About Sheffield
Sheffield is England's fourth-largest city, with the wealth of facilities you’d expect to find in a major city, yet it's compact, welcoming and
accessible. It’s a friendly city with a prosperous economy and relatively low cost of living, all of which makes for an excellent quality of
life. The area contains an abundance of entertainment and cultural activities including award-winning theatres, museums and
galleries, a variety of clubs and live music venues, and a range of spectator and participation sports. The attractive city centre is within
walking distance of our campus and university life is very much integrated with the day-to-day life of the city. More than a third of the
city lies inside the beautiful Peak District National Park, and it’s virtually surrounded by open countryside. It’s also the greenest city in
England, with 175 woodlands, 75 public parks, and with four mature trees to every resident! Official crime statistics show that Sheffield
is one of the UK's safest cities. For more information about Sheffield visit: www.sheffield.gov.uk/out--about/tourist-information
About the University of Sheffield
We are one of the UK’s leading universities, with an international reputation for excellence. Official teaching quality assessments rate
us very highly, and excellent research assessment results confirm our reputation as a centre for a wide variety of world-class research.
Newsweek magazine (August 2006) ranks us in the top 9 in the UK and 18th in Europe in its global top 100 universities and UK
University guides confirm our status. The Virgin 2008 Alternative Guide to British Universities, for instance, says: “Sheffield is a top
university across the board”.
We have almost 25,000 students and around 6,000 staff. The University is a popular choice with applicants for university places, and
once they arrive our students enjoy the experience so much that many settle in Sheffield after they graduate.
The University, like Sheffield itself, has earned a reputation as an informal, friendly and welcoming place to be, for people from all sorts
of backgrounds and walks of life. Our staff and students represent more than 100 different countries. For more information about the
University visit: www.sheffield.ac.uk/about
About the Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry & Health
The Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health is one of the major UK centres for education and research in health and related subjects.
With origins dating back to 1828, the Faculty has a long-standing tradition of excellence in clinical education and research. Over 2,500
students study in the faculty each year on over 40 different courses. In addition, over 200 students are registered on research degrees,
supporting a faculty research portfolio in excess of £30M.
Independent assessments of our teaching and research quality rate us as among the best in the UK.
About the Medical School
Sheffield School of Medicine was founded in 1828, subsequently merging with Firth College (1879), forerunner of the University, and
Sheffield Technical School (1884) to form University College Sheffield in 1897. The University of Sheffield was granted a Royal
Charter in May 1905.
The Medical School today is home to more than one thousand students at undergraduate and postgraduate levels. Our aim is to
provide high quality, innovative teaching and research to ensure tomorrow's doctors are best equipped to tackle disease.
The School's activities incorporate teaching, research and the practice of medicine. Our courses expose medical students to best
current practice, through learning with the excellent Primary and Secondary care providers in the region.
Equally important is the research we engage in to contribute to developing the medicine of tomorrow. In the 2008 Research
Assessment Exercise, we submitted to 6 Units of Assessment. Overall, 90% of our research was assessed as internationally
recognised with 60% of research in UoAs 2, 4 and 9 being rated world-leading or internationally excellent.
The Medical School is divided into 5 departments reflecting our research strengths including; Neuroscience, Cardiovascular Science
Oncology; Infection and Immunity and Human Metabolism.
The University Department of Neuroscience Neuroscience has been a key area of strategic investment in the School since 2001
with the appointment of research leaders of international standing in Neurology, Neuropathology, Neuroimaging and Biological
Psychiatry. The Neuroscience Department comprises multidisciplinary groups from Neurology, Neuropathology, and Academic
Clinical Psychiatry (that also includes a strong interest in neuroimaging) working in both basic and clinical neuroscience. The major
areas of research interest are in neurodegenerative diseases (diseases of the motor system, basal ganglia and dementia); psychiatric
disorders (psychosis and major affective disorders) and neuroimaging. The Neurodegenerative Disease group research portfolio
includes genetic, cellular, molecular and clinical research into common disorders including motor neuron diseases, Parkinson’s
disease, Huntington’s disease and the ageing brain and dementia. The research focus is strongly translational and a new 2,800m2
research facility, the Sheffield Institute of Translational Neuroscience (SITraN) is currently being developed and will open in summer
2010. The Academic Clinical Psychiatry group within which the Sheffield Cognition and Neuroimaging Laboratory (SCANLab)
resides, has major research programmes investigating perception in auditory and visual modalities and their interaction; time
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perception and processing; social cognition and executive function in health and psychiatric disease. Structural and functional MRI are
the main neuroimaging techniques used to define these processes.
There are strong collaborative links with other Neuroscience groups within the University of Sheffield, including: the neuroradiology
group which focuses on the investigation of the causes and sequelae of cerebrovascular disease; neurodegenerative processes and
foetal and childhood developmental brain abnormalities; the MRC Centre for Development and Biomedical Genetics (CDBG) which
has major strengths in developmental neuroscience and in model systems for vascular and neurodegenerative disease; the Cognitive
Neuroscience and Neuroimaging groups in the Department of Psychology and with tissue engineering and nanotechnology groups
within the Kroto Institute.
Research activity within the Neuroscience department is supported through a broad portfolio of research funding. This includes project
and programme grant support from major UK funding organizations such as the Wellcome Trust; Medical Research Council; NIHR; EU
and multiple neurological and psychiatric disease related charities. Substantial funding from biotechnology and pharmaceutical
companies supports our translational and clinical research programmes. Sheffield researchers play key roles in both the Stroke and
DeNDroN Clinical research networks.
Neuroscience research facilities available include cutting-edge techniques for the investigation of the molecular basis of neurological
disease including neurogenetics, proteomics and microarray laboratories, facilities for live cellular imaging and laser capture
microdissection. CNS tissue, DNA and CSF banks have been established from large neurological patient groups. State of the art
neuroimaging facilities have also been established including 3T MRI and SCANlab for functional imaging in psychiatric disorders.
Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust manages the five adult hospitals in Sheffield, i.e. Northern General Hospital,
Royal Hallamshire Hospital, Jessop Wing, Weston Park Hospital and the Charles Clifford Dental Hospital.
As a Trust we are responsible for the planning and delivery of the highest quality patient care and provide services for patients from not
only Sheffield and South Yorkshire but all parts of the UK. We have an annual budget of around £690 million, employ over 13,000 staff
and provide around one million patient episodes each year, making us the second largest NHS trust in England.
As well as providing hospital services for our local population, our hospitals provide a range of vital regional and national specialties.
Regionally these include cardiac and orthopaedic surgery, neurology and renal care. National services include pulmonary hypertension
treatment, particular ophthalmology, spinal and neurosurgical care, and specialist cancer treatments.
We have been one of the best performing NHS organisations in the country over the last five years. In October 2007 the Healthcare
Commission scored us excellent in use of resources and excellent for quality of services. We are also proud of our record as having the
lowest MRSA infection rates amongst major teaching hospitals in the UK, according to figures released by the Health Protection
Agency in 2007. The Trust was awarded the Dr Foster’ Hospital of the Year accolade in 2005 and again in 2008.
We also have a strong tradition of research and the Trust leads on a number of key studies including prostate cancer, diabetes, breast
cancer and chronic chest disease.
An NHS Foundation Trust
We became one of the first NHS Foundation Trusts in the country on 1st July 2004. NHS foundation trusts have greater freedom from
central government control and the ability to work with their community and staff to set local health priorities. We have a well
established elected governor’s council, which is made up of patients, public, staff and partner organisations and works with the Trust to
help set strategic goals and make key decisions.
Our Hospitals
Although the Trust has overall management responsibility for the services provided, our hospitals each have their own history, which
we are rightly proud of. Between them they offer just about every kind of service available in the modern NHS.
The Northern General is the largest of our hospitals with 1100 beds. It forms the site of the main A&E department (adult) and handles
a significant proportion of acute injury/emergencies. Located to the north of the city, the hospital is spread out over a large site.
Amongst the specialist services located there are orthopaedics, renal, spinal injuries, general surgery and cardiothoracic (heart and
lung) services. A major £30 million state-of-the-art new medical ward development, known as the Sir Robert Hadfield Wing, opened to
patients in April 2007 and a brand new critical care facility, one of the largest in Europe, opened in 2008.
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The other Trust hospitals are based closely together on a campus to the west of the city centre; this is known as the Central Campus.
The Royal Hallamshire is a major acute teaching hospital based around a tower block of 800 beds and a large outpatient department.
The main inpatient OMFS activity is carried out in the main and daycase theatre suites on this site. The hospital is home to a range of
expert specialist services which include neurosciences, urology, general surgery, breast surgery, dermatology, Ear Nose & Throat
hearing services and ophthalmology. The hospital also has a minor injuries unit and an NHS Walk-In-Centre for emergency care.
Linked to the Royal Hallamshire by a footbridge, the Jessop Wing is Sheffield’s 216 bed women’s hospital. Opened in February 2001
it has brought together all of the city’s obstetric, gynaecology and neonatology services in a state-of-the-art, purpose built, £24 million
building. Almost 7000 births take place at the Jessop Wing each year.
Weston Park is one of only three purpose built specialist cancer hospitals in the UK and provides a full range of non-surgical cancer
services to the population of South Yorkshire, North Nottinghamshire and North Derbyshire. It also enjoys national and international
recognition for certain specific treatments. It has 140 beds and is home to a specialist cancer research centre and one of the UK’s only
teenage cancer units. Management of most of the regions Head & Neck Oncology workload is based at the hospital, with outreach
Oncologist input to hospitals in North Trent.
The Charles Clifford is a dental teaching hospital linked to The University of Sheffield’s School of Clinical Dentistry. The hospital
provides dental outpatient services and some emergency dental services for the city.
As a teaching trust, all of the hospitals have close links to the University of Sheffield, home to Sheffield’s medical school, and Sheffield
Hallam University – which provides nurse training. It is a major teaching centre for future health professionals.
NEUROSCIENCES DIRECTORATE
Clinical Neuroscience, which is based at the Royal Hallamshire Hospital, Sheffield is the service provider to South Yorkshire, North
Derbyshire, North Lincolnshire and North Nottinghamshire, serving a population in excess of 2.2 million. The Neurosciences
Directorate includes Neurology, Neurosurgery, Stereotactic Radiosurgery, and Neurophysiology.
There are a total of 53 adult neurological inpatient beds and 37 adult neurosurgical beds, plus 19 Neuro Critical Care Beds and a
Neuro Day Care Unit. Paediatric neurology and neurosurgical facilities are in the Sheffield Children’s Hospital, which is immediately
adjacent to the Royal Hallamshire Hospital.
Twenty consultant neurologists provide neurological services, one of whom holds the Chair of Neurology. At present clinics are held at
the Royal Hallamshire and Northern General Hospitals, Sheffield and in Doncaster, Bassetlaw, Mexborough, Lincoln, Worksop,
Chesterfield, Barnsley, Bakewell and Chapel-en-le-Frith. Nurse specialists and members of the professions allied to medicine provide
an extensive outreach service for patients with neurological disabilities, including an outpatient Head Injury Rehabilitation Service.
There are twelve Consultant Neurosurgeons with special interests including: skull base, pituitary, complex spinal surgery, neurooncology, epilepsy and paediatric neurosurgery. Consultant Neurosurgeons provide out patient sessions at other hospitals in the area,
including Lincoln and Doncaster. Sheffield currently has 7 Specialist Registrars in neurosurgery, in rotation with Hull.
The National Centre for Stereotactic Radiosurgery has been based within the Directorate since 1985, under the direction of three
Consultant Neurosurgeons with a special interest in radiosurgery. There is a substantial infrastructure provided by Neuroradiologists,
Physicists, Technicians and Radiographers. There are close links with adult and Paediatric Neuro-oncologists, based both at Weston
Park Hospital, a designated Cancer Unit, and the Sheffield Children’s Hospital.
There is also a comprehensive Neurophysiological Service, including intra-operative recording, provided by five Consultant
Neurophysiologists.
The Consultant Neuroanaesthetists play an important role in managing patients in the Neuro Critical Care Facilities, in addition to
supporting theatre and diagnostic activities.
There is access to extensive neuroradiological investigational and interventional facilities, including MR and CT imaging and digital
angiography, with dedicated Neuroradiologists, plus support from the University Department of Radiology.
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In-patient rehabilitation facilities exist within the directorate at the Royal Hallamshire site and in Osborne 4 Ward at the Northern
General Hospital. Supporting services include physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy and clinical neuropsychology.
Two honorary Consultant Neuropathologists, from the Sheffield University Department of Neuropathology, provide neuropathology
services, including peripheral nerve and muscle studies.
INFORMAL ENQUIRIES: Informal enquiries/visits are welcome and potential candidates should contact Professor Pamela Shaw,
Professor of Neurology and Head of the Department of Neuroscience, University of Sheffield (tel +44 –114 - 2713017, email
pamela.shaw@sheffield.ac.uk) or Dr Chris McDermott Programme Director for Neurology Training and Senior Lecturer/ Honorary
Consultant in Neurology (tel +44 -114 -2713430 email c.j.mcdermott@sheffield.ac.uk. Full job descriptions are available on request.
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