JOB DESCRIPTION
Job Title:
Clinical Research Fellow
Job Family & Level:
Clinical Academic Staff
Division:
National Heart and Lung Institute
Department/Sections:
Respiratory Medicine at St Mary’s Hospital:
o Respiratory Science/Respiratory Infections
o Tuberculosis Research Unit
o Airway Disease Infection
o Imperial Clinical Respiratory Research Unit
(ICRRU)
Salary Range:
£31,838 - £45,304 plus £1,505 London Allowance per
annum
Contract:
Full-time and fixed-term for three years in the first instance
Accountable to:
Professor Peter Openshaw, BRC Respiratory
Theme Lead
Research Reporting to:
Professor Peter Openshaw
Professor Sebastian Johnston
Professor Ajit Lalvani
Dr Onn Min Kon
Dr Trevor T. Hansel
Professor Robin Shattock
Key Working Relationships
(Internal to Dept/Div)
Professor Peter Openshaw, Professor Sebastian Johnston
Professor Ajit Lalvani, Dr Trevor Hansel, Professor
Robin Shattock, Dr Onn Min Kon (Honorary Clinical
Senior Lecturer), Dr Mike Edwards, Dr Ross Walton,
and other members of NIHR BRC Respiratory Theme,
the Laboratory Manager and other scientific and
technical staff within the Respiratory Infections and
Airway Disease Infection Section
Key Working Relationships
(External to Dept/Div)
Nicola Costin-Davis, CPG1 Clinical Transformation
Manager, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, Paul
Craven, Clinical Research Operations Manager, BRC
Office, Centre for Respiratory Infection (CRI), the MRC
and Asthma UK Centre in Allergic Mechanisms of
Asthma.
Location:
St Mary’s Campus, Paddington. The post will be based
in Imperial Clinical (Respiratory) Research Unit
(ICRRU), St. Mary's
Healthcare NHS Trust
Hospital,
Imperial
College
Research programme
Respiratory Medicine at St Mary’s Hospital
The Respiratory Medicine section focuses researches on host responses to viral
respiratory infections and tuberculosis.
Professor Peter Openshaw has a section with a focus on respiratory syncitial virus
(RSV) and influenza viruses. For RSV infection he has established animal and
human challenge models, and is also studying RSV bronchiolitis of infancy. Prof
Openshaw leads the national MOSAIC study (Mechanisms of Severe Influenza and
Infection Consortium) and is the NIHR BRC Respiratory Theme. For further
information
visit
the
following
web
page:
http://www1.imperial.ac.uk/nhli/respiratory/respinfect/
Professor Shattock has recently been appointed to St Mary’s Hospital and leads a
group of scientists working on Mucosal Immunology.
The world-leading multidisciplinary Tuberculosis Research Unit, established and led
by Professor Ajit Lalvani, comprises over a dozen scientists, research nurses, clinical
research fellows and graduate students. The group’s research focus includes probing
the fundamental immunological control points in the natural history and biology of TB
infection, as well as translational research to develop and validate improved
biomarkers of TB infection, disease and treatment response. Dr Onn Min Kon leads
the clinical service that cares for patients with TB. For further information see:
http://www1.imperial.ac.uk/nhli/respiratory/respinfect/tbimmunology/
Professor Sebastian Johnston's section works on mechanisms of asthma and
chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and the role of respiratory viral
infections in these diseases, with a particular interest in acute exacerbations and the
role of rhinovirus infections. Dr Ross Walton is an experienced cell biologist working
with Prof Johnston. For further information visit the following web page:
http://www1.imperial.ac.uk/nhli/respiratory/airway_disease_infection/.
Dr Trevor Hansel has a specialist interest in phase II clinical testing of new antiinflammatory therapies for asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
(COPD), and has worked on a large study on the effects of smoking cessation. Novel
methods have been developed for nasal allergen challenge, human whole blood flow
cytometry to demonstrate pharmacodynamic activity of anti-inflammatory drugs, and
to measure cytokines and chemokines in nasal and bronchial mucosal lining fluid.
For
further
information
see:
http://www1.imperial.ac.uk/nhli/respiratory/airway_disease_infection/icrru/
NIHR Imperial Biomedical Research Centre (BRC) and BRC Respiratory Theme
Imperial NIHR Biomedical Research Centre (BRC) is a partnership between Imperial
College Healthcare NHS Trust and Imperial College London. It is only one of five
BRCs in England. The NIHR Imperial Biomedical Research Centre (BRC) provides
funding for individual projects, which address the early testing and exploration of new
ways of treating and preventing ill health in human participants. For further
information visit the following web page: http://imperialbrc.org/home
Respiratory Research in the NIHR Imperial Biomedical Research Centre (BRC) aims
to develop novel treatment strategies for the major respiratory diseases in the UK.
Facilities include excellent clinical services for patients with lung disease associated
with state of the art clinical and laboratory research facilities for innovative research
across the spectrum of respiratory disease. For further information visit the following
web page: http://imperialbrc.org/our-research/research-themes/respiratory-disease
The NIHR Imperial Biomedical Research Centre (BRC) has awarded the BRC
Respiratory Theme (one of several Themes under the NIHR Imperial BRC) funding to
undertake research on “Nasal Challenges with Allergen and a Range of Microbial
Constituents”. Professor Peter Openshaw is the NIHR BRC Respiratory Theme
Lead.
The Purpose of the Post
Under the direction of the NIHR BRC Respiratory Theme lead Professor Peter
Openshaw and BRC Respiratory members Professor Sebastian Johnston, Professor
Ajit Lalvani, Professor Robin Shattock, Dr Onn Min Kon and Dr Trevor Hansel you
will work on the NIHR Imperial Biomedical Research Centre (BRC) funded research
study “Nasal Challenges with Allergen and a Range of Microbial Constituents”. You
will also contribute to the successful running of the research project and may
undertake training of more junior staff as appropriate.
Key Responsibilities














To conduct research on a range of nasal challenge models: allergen, MPLA,
resiquimod, poly-IC, tuberculin. Chemokine and cytokine responses will be
studied in nasal mucosal lining fluid (MLF), and flow cytometry will be use dto
assess cell influx
To actively participate in seminars and work-in-progress meetings within the
Department
To prepare and write scientific papers communicating the results of research
and the presentation of such at scientific meetings nationally and
internationally
To participate in Departmental managerial activities as required
To develop relevant research teaching and management skills
To conduct and plan own scientific work with appropriate supervision
Be up-to-date with current literature
To maintain highly organised and accurate record of experimental work
To conduct data analysis, ensuring the validity and reliability of data at all
times
To contribute to the smooth running of the Group’s laboratories and, facilities
with other scientists, clinicians, technicians and students within the
laboratories
To publish in high quality journals and to present data at national and
international meetings
To collaborate with other allied scientists within Imperial College and
elsewhere in London and abroad, as appropriate
To assist in the supervision of undergraduate and postgraduate research
students and research assistants as required
To attend regular meetings with the supervisor



To attend meetings at the departmental and divisional levels
To work safely according to the Divisional Safety guidelines
Registration for a PhD may be a requirement
Other Responsibilities:
 You will work primarily on the research programme specified, but may also be
required to collaborate in other departmental research projects
 You may also be asked to carry out teaching duties and will be expected to
assist in the development of research proposals and funding bids
 You may be required to undertake some clinical duties as required by your
various clinical supervisors
 To undertake appropriate administrative tasks
 To undertake any necessary training and/or development
 Any other duties commensurate with the grade of the post as directed by line
manager as well as Head of Section
You will hold a co-terminous honorary contract with the Imperial College Healthcare
NHS Trust.
To observe and comply with all College policies and regulations, including the
key policies and procedures on Confidentiality, Conflict of Interest, Data
Protection, Equal Opportunities, Financial Regulations, Health and Safety,
Imperial Expectations (for new leaders, managers and supervisors),
Information Technology, Private Engagements and Register of Interests, and
Smoking.
To undertake specific safety responsibilities relevant to individual roles, as set
out on the College Website Health and Safety Structure and Responsibilities
page
(http://www3.imperial.ac.uk/safety/policies/organisationandarrangements).
Job descriptions cannot be exhaustive and the post-holder may be required to
undertake other duties, which are broadly in line with the above key
responsibilities.
Imperial College is committed to equality of opportunity and to eliminating
discrimination. All employees are expected to adhere to the principles set out
in its Equal Opportunities in Employment Policy, Promoting Race Equality
Policy and all other relevant guidance/practice frameworks.
IMPERIAL COLLEGE LONDON
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Education and Qualifications
Essential

Degree in medicine

Full GMC registration

MRCS, MRCP or equivalent
Experience and Knowledge
Essential

Strong background in one of the following disciplines: thoracic medicine,
immunology, infectious diseases, virology and/or ear, nose and throat (ENT),
Tuberculosis (TB)

Evidence of an interest in research

Proven clinical experience in the fields of respiratory and general medicine

Knowledge of clinical governance

Proven experience of team management, including the skills and ability to
organise self and others

Good working acquaintance with standard computer software
Desirable

Record of peer reviewed publications
Skills and Abilities
Essential

Ability to demonstrate an awareness of issues affecting current and future
clinical practice

Confident and skilled in laboratory based experimental techniques

Analytical skills

Ability to work to tight deadlines

Ability to organise and prioritise own work with minimal supervision

Ability to exercise initiative

Ability to work constructively and effectively within a team

Proven ability to collaborate and relate with a wide range of people

Excellent written communications skills and the ability to write technical reports
clearly and succinctly for publication

Ability to present themselves at conferences and seminars with authority and
coherence

Good organisation and time management skills

Accurate record keeping

Ability to develop personal research projects