Neurology Research Registrar - University of Edinburgh - Edinburgh
A clean driving license is essential, as is a willingness to travel extensively (occasionally at short notice), throughout the UK.
There will be opportunities to gain particular experience in other areas relevant to the National Training Programme in clinical neurology, plus experience in epidemiology, public health and laboratory-based science, as well as in the analysis of data and the preparation of publications.
This is a fixed-term appointment (from 01.08.2016 until 31.07.2018) in the first instance, although this may be extended. Placement on salary scale depending on qualifications and experience. The successful candidate will be based at the National Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease Research & Surveillance Unit, Deanery of Clinical Sciences, The Bryan Matthews Building, University of Edinburgh, Western General Hospital, Edinburgh EH4 2XU.
For further details please contact either Professor R S G Knight or Professor R G Will on 0131 537 3104 or e-mail: R.Knight@ed.ac.uk or R.G.Will@ed.ac.uk.
Further Particulars
The University of Edinburgh has been instrumental in shaping history for over 400 years. An exciting, vibrant, research led academic community we offer opportunities to work with leading international academics whose visions are shaping tomorrow’s world. Our 22 Schools, spread across 3 Colleges, offer over 350 undergraduate and 160 postgraduate courses to more than 20,000 students each year.
As a member of staff, you will not only be part of one the World’s top 20 Universities, but also part of one of the top employers in Edinburgh, with over 10,000 people spread across a wide range of academic and supporting roles.
The College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine (http://www.mvm.ed.ac.uk/)
The College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine, is headed by Professor Sir John Savill; who is also the Head of the Medical School. The Medical School in Edinburgh can trace its origins back nearly 500 years (Darwin, Simpson and Conan-Doyle were students here) and is internationally renowned for its research and teaching. The existing qualifications for undergraduates are amongst the most competitive in the UK.
The academic disciplines within Medicine are largely concentrated in the two teaching hospitals in Edinburgh, namely the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh at Little France (RIE) and the Western General Hospital (WGH). The new RIE was recently constructed on a green field site under a Private Finance Initiative (completed 2002). It is a state-of-the-art multi-speciality hospital linked with the Medical School which is housed in two purpose built teaching and research facilities, the Chancellor’s Building and the Queen’s Medical Research Institute providing the accommodation and facilities required for the majority of the clinical students and associated academic clinical staff previously located at the old Royal Infirmary in central Edinburgh.
The Western General Hospital (WGH) has also undergone major redevelopment of its clinical research and teaching facilities. The Molecular Medicine Centre (£5m) was opened in 1995, a new Wellcome Millennial Clinical Research Facility (£4m; joint development between the Wellcome Trust, University and Lothian Health), a £40m new clinical wing, the Anne Ferguson Building, and a new Medical Education Centre (£1m) were opened in 2001, and a new Cancer Research Building (£7m) in 2002. The University (through its Medical School) and Lothian Health work in close collaboration to ensure the co-ordination of the Health Board’s Integrated Health Care Plan for Lothian with the University’s teaching and research plans.
RAE 2008
In RAE 2008, the College submitted to three Units of Assessment, reflecting cross-centre working in physical or virtual institutes. Across the College, just under 70% of staff can be considered to have been working at the internationally excellent (3*) level or above.
The College was placed first of 28 submissions in the UK in Hospital-Based Clinical Subjects, submitting 162 staff, predominantly from the Queen’s Medical Research Institute (Cardiovascular Science, Inflammation Research, Regenerative Medicine and Reproductive Biology including the MRC Human Reproductive Sciences Unit) and the Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine (Molecular Medicine, MRC Human Genetics Unit, Cancer Research and Population Health Sciences/Primary Care). All staff were at the international level with 80% of the submission at the internationally excellent (3*, 40%) or world-leading level (4*, 40%).
The College was placed fourth in Agriculture, Veterinary and Food Science, but this was the best placed submission including a Vet School and delivered the largest volume of 4* research in the whole UK, with 111 staff from the Roslin Institute, Centre for Infectious Diseases and the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies.
The College was sixth in the UK in Psychiatry, Neuroscience and Clinical Psychology, submitting 92 staff from Edinburgh Neuroscience, a virtual institute incorporating the Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, the Centre for Cognitive and Neural Systems, the Centre for Neuroregeneration Research and the Centre for Integrative Physiology.
The Division of Clinical Neurosciences (M&CM)
The Division of Clinical Neurosciences (DCN) is a department in the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Edinburgh. It was formed in 1986 by the amalgamation of the Departments of Surgical and Medical Neurology. In 1988 the unified department was brought together on the Western General Hospital site.
Currently, the NHS Clinical Neuroscience service is based at the Western General Hospital (WGH) although there are services at other hospitals including the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh (RIE). In 2017, there will be a relocation of the NHS departments to newly built accommodation on the RIE site. The academic Clinical Neuroscience department has already relocated to the Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences (CCBS) on the RIE site.
Following the appointment of the University’s first Professor of Medical Neurology in 1987 (Professor Charles Warlow), there has been a considerable expansion in personnel, in both the NHS and Clinical Academic departments. The current Head of CCBS is Professor Siddharthan Chandran.
All the NHS consultant staff have part time appointments as senior lecturers or are honorary senior lecturers.
Introduction and Background
The identification of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) as one of the transmissible spongiform encephalopathies led to speculation that transmission to humans might occur. The Department of Health provided funding for the prospective surveillance of CJD and the project started on the 1st of May 1990 under the supervision of Professor R G Will. Data on the epidemiology, clinical features and risk factors in CJD were obtained for comparison with previous studies. In 1996, a new variant of CJD (now designated vCJD) was reported and the evidence is that vCJD is indeed BSE transmitted to humans.
The National CJD Surveillance Project continues in the UK with the identification of human prion disease, including all forms of CJD. Because of the potentially long incubation period in spongiform encephalopathies, surveillance of CJD is likely to continue for the foreseeable future.
The primary function of the National CJD Research & Surveillance Unit (NCJDRSU) is the surveillance of CJD within the UK. However, there are a number of associated research projects including EU-funded, international collaborations involving these countries: Australia, Austria, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Slovakia, Spain, Switzerland, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Greece, Iceland, Israel, Norway, Portugal, Republic of Ireland, Sweden, Austria, China, France, Germany, Hungary, Poland, Slovakia, Switzerland, United Kingdom, Latvia, Cyprus, Slovenia, Estonia, Argentina, Mexico, Japan, Czech Republic and the USA.
The NCJDRSU is a WHO Reference Centre for TSEs and the reporting hub for vCJD for the European Centre for Disease
Prevention and Control (ECDC).
In the UK approximately 150 referrals of suspect CJD cases are made to the unit each year. A proportion of these cases turn out to be illnesses other than CJD. The incidence of sporadic CJD in the UK is around 1 per million per year and the total number of confirmed UK cases of vCJD since 1996 is 178 (as of April 2016).
The research will involve the prospective identification of cases of CJD in order to obtain detailed clinical and epidemiological information. Cases throughout the UK are identified by direct referral from neurologists, neurophysiologists, neuropathologists and occasionally other clinicians.
All death certificates coded under the appropriate rubrics are forwarded by the appropriate authorities in the UK so that cases not directly notified will nonetheless be identified. In addition, some cases are referred by neuropathologists.
The current Director of the Unit is Professor Richard Knight. Clinical aspects of surveillance are overseen by Professors Richard Knight and Bob Will. Professor James Ironside is responsible for Neuropathological aspects of surveillance.
Duties of the Post
The Research Registrar assesses the notifications of cases with advice from Professor Knight and Professor Will. Where appropriate, they will visit referred cases throughout the UK in order to obtain clinical and epidemiological information. A standard questionnaire and protocol is used. Information is obtained from the referring hospital and clinicians, the medical records and the relevant relatives. The Research Registrar is also responsible for conducting a neurological examination.
In cases referred after death, where appropriate, arrangements are made to visit the relatives to obtain direct information.
During the visits, copies of relevant medical records are obtained and appropriate investigations (in particular the EEG and MR Imaging) are reviewed. Wherever possible, permission is obtained for further investigations.
The duties involve a considerable amount of travel.
At present, the Research Registrar is normally appointed for two years.
Requirements for the Post
1. Medically qualified practitioner (essential)
2. MRCP (essential)
3. Previous neurological experience (desirable).
The NCJDRSU And Other Aspects Of Research In Edinburgh
The Research Registrar is supervised by two Consultant Neurologists, Professor R G Will and Professor R S G Knight, both of whom are contracted to spend 50% of their time in the Unit. The neuropathological confirmation of CJD is an essential component of the study and there is a dedicated Department of Health laboratory within the Unit run by Professor J W Ironside. There is an active research programme within the laboratory side including research fellows.
The Unit is also involved in many national and international collaborative projects with regard to CJD and TSE (Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathy) research.
Aside from gaining an understanding of the clinical and epidemiological features of CJD, the Research Registrar will have the opportunity to be involved in a wide variety of research projects including the evaluation of diagnostic tests, genetics and molecular biology. During their attachment to the Unit, there are opportunities to gain understanding of the basic principles of clinical epidemiology, case control methodologies, the use of questionnaires in research, neuropathology and other related matters.
Epidemiological and public health aspects of CJD are supervised by Dr Anna Molesworth (Senior Epidemiologist). As part of the attachment to the Unit, there will be training support from Dr Molesworth covering the basic principles of epidemiology and statistics, with particular reference to CJD. During the course of the project, the Research Registrar will gain considerable experience in the assessment of dementias and encephalopathies.
The successful candidate may be involved in the European Collaborative Projects. Attendance at some of the international meetings may be required.
During the attachment, there will be opportunities to gain particular experience in other areas relevant to the National Training Programme in Neurology, for example Neuropathology. There will also be opportunities to gain experience in computer skills, including the use of databases, presentation skills and the preparation of publications. The Registrar will have opportunities to gain clinical experience in general neurology via an outpatients clinic on a fortnightly basis and there are possibilities of occasional on-call commitment, if desired.
Location and NCJDRSU Staff
The post is currently based at the National CJD Research & Surveillance Unit which is situated in the Bryan Matthews Building on the Western General Hospital site. However, there is a planned relocation of the Unit to the Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences (CCBS) at the RIE (Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh) site. The first phase of this relocation is projected to begin in June 2016, with a currently uncertain completion date. Most of the academic clinical neuroscience department has already relocated to the RIE site and the NHS clinical neuroscience department will relocate from the WGH to the RIE in 2017 (into a new hospital building, currently under construction).
The National CJD Research & Surveillance Unit is the base for UK surveillance of CJD and associated activities and research. The Surveillance Unit currently comprises a set of offices and laboratory facilities presently within one dedicated building, but with planned relocation as already described. The Director of the National Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease Research & Surveillance Unit is Professor Richard Knight and the Deputy Director is Dr Mark Head. The Unit is funded by the Department of Health and the Scottish Government Health Department and holds several large grants. The Unit also co-ordinates an international collaborative surveillance group, is a WHO collaborative centre for Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease, and is a reporting hub for vCJD for the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC).
The principal activity of the Unit is surveillance of CJD within the United Kingdom. This involves the identification of cases of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease of all types and the collection of relevant epidemiological, clinical and pathological data. The Unit undertakes a great deal of associated clinical, epidemiological and neuropathological research. There are currently 33 members of staff within the Unit. The Unit employs two senior neurologists, Professor Robert Will and Professor Richard Knight. Each of these neurologists works half-time within the Unit and Professor Knight also works half-time in clinical activities in Lothian NHS.
Other staff within the Unit include: Professor James Ironside (Neuropathology), Dr Anna Molesworth (Senior Epidemiologist), Ms Jan Mackenzie (UK Study Co-ordinator for the Unit) and two neurology research registrars (this post being one of the two) for UK surveillance.
Further staff include a CSF Chemist, a Protein Chemist, a Database Manager, Neuropathology and Laboratory staff, a European Collaborative Study Co-ordinator and a number of administrative and secretarial staff.
Two senior nurses are employed within the Unit supporting the National Care Package with primary responsibility for providing advice and care for patients with CJD.
Other relevant information
It is expected that the successful applicant will wish to have some clinical involvement with the NHS Department of Clinical Neurosciences. This will involve outpatient experience and there is an option for limited on-call commitment. The Department of Clinical Neurosciences is very active academically and there are regular clinical/academic meetings and seminars.
For further details please contact either Professor R S G Knight or Professor R G Will, National CJD Surveillance Unit, Western General Hospital, Crewe Road, Edinburgh, EH4 2XU. Tel: 0131-537 3104 email: R.Knight@ed.ac.uk or R.G.Will@ed.ac.uk.
Exposure Prone Invasive Procedures & NHS Honorary Contract
The holder of this post may be required to undertake on a regular or occasional basis exposure prone invasive procedures (EPPs). As this could potentially place patients at risk, candidates must show evidence of immune status to Hepatitis B, or agree to undergo the necessary procedures. It should be noted that the offer of appointment is subject to confirmation that the successful candidate is Hepatitis B immune. This is checked by the Occupational Health Service prior to commencement of duty. An Honorary NHS contract will be sought for the successful post holder. You therefore must be eligible to hold an honorary contract with NHS Lothian and be registered with the General Medical/Dental Council.
Protection of Vulnerable Groups Scheme (PVG)
This post is subject to registration with the Protection of Vulnerable Groups scheme, for regulated work with children and/or vulnerable adults as appropriate. 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: http://www.disclosurescotland.co.uk/.
Terms of Appointment
The post is a 2-year, fixed-term appointment (an extension may be negotiable).
Salary
The role is clinical grade AMN2 and attracts an annual salary of £32,803 to £48,605 for 40 hours each week. Salary is paid monthly by direct transfer to your Bank or Building Society account, normally on the 28th of the month. Salaries for part-time staff are calculated on the full-time scales, pro-rata to the Standard Working Week.
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 Pension scheme details USS
If you are currently a member of the NHS Pension Scheme and are employed in a clinical post it may be possible for you to remain a member of the NHS Pension Scheme.
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.
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: 27 June 2016 at 5pm.
Interview date
You will be notified by email whether you have been shortlisted for interview or not.
The University reserves the right to vary the candidate information or make no appointment at all. Neither in part, nor in whole does this information form part of any contract between the University and any individual.
The Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences ( http//www.ccbs.ed.ac.uk )
CCBS (Director Siddharthan Chandran) integrates laboratory and clinical research to study the causes, consequences and treatment of major brain disorders. Anchored in the Edinburgh Bioquarter at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, and with bases at three other Edinburgh hospital sites, the Centre comprises 60 Principal Investigators—including 21 Chairs—of whom 70% are active NHS clinicians. The 400+ members conduct research of international recognition and reputation: major strengths include clinical trials and trial methodology, neuroimaging, neuropathology and regenerative neurology (including human stem cell research) in a wide range of conditions encompassing brain vascular disease/stroke, neurodegenerative disease, prion disease and psychiatric disorders. CCBS researchers attracted c.£40M in grant-funding over the last three years and collaborate widely, leading international clinical trials in stroke (e.g. IST-3) and dementia (e.g. EPAD), while the National CJD Research and Surveillance Unit is a WHO Reference Centre for Human Prion Disease. The research generates significant and measurable impact in terms of patient health and wellbeing, NHS policy and economy, and public awareness. The Centre is also particularly strong in clinical PhD training, with a number of innovative schemes including Psy-STAR, Rowling Scholars and Princess Margaret Research Development Fellowships. The Edinburgh Imaging Academy is a flagship for e-learning MSc and CPD courses. The Centre also has a strong record of attracting philanthropic donations to establish Specialist Centres of Excellence (Anne Rowling Regenerative Neurology Clinic, Euan MacDonald Centre for MND Research, Centre for Dementia Prevention, Muir Maxwell Epilepsy Centre) that are maintained and expanded by community fundraising.
Deanery of Clinical Sciences ( http://www.ed.ac.uk/schools-departments/clinical-sciences )
The Deanery 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 Deanery 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 ffrench-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 850 members of academic and support staff and has over 550 Honorary members who contribute significantly to teaching and research. The Deanery 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 Deanery 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, Medicine was ranked in the top 5 for the whole of the 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. The College has two Schools, the Edinburgh Medical School comprising 3 Deaneries; Biomedical Sciences; Molecular Genetic and Population Health Sciences and Clinical Sciences and the 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 2100 students currently studying its online distance learning postgraduate programmes, and a total to date of 1.84 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, professional and personal career goals, as well as give your career the benefit of a great and distinguished reputation.
The University of Edinburgh holds a Silver Athena SWAN award in recognition of our commitment to advance 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
The University of Edinburgh is a charitable body, registered in Scotland, with registration number SC005336.
0 comments:
Post a Comment