The University of Sheffield is a remarkable place to work. Our people are at the heart of everything we do. Their diverse backgrounds, abilities and beliefs make Sheffield a world-class university.

We offer a fantastic range of benefits including a highly competitive annual leave entitlement (with the ability to purchase more), a generous pensions scheme, flexible working opportunities, a commitment to your development and wellbeing, a wide range of retail discounts, and much more. Find out more about our benefits (opens in a new window) and join us to become part of something special.

Overview

An exciting opportunity has arisen for highly motivated clinical trainees interested in infection & immunity research to undertake a Clinical Fellowship as part of the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Sheffield Biomedical Research Centre (BRC). These fellowships will enable the successful candidates to work on stimulating projects within our Infection & Immunity theme.

As a world leading centre for research and training, the NIHR Sheffield BRC is keen to attract and cultivate the most promising clinical academic researchers. Focused on the pull-through of lab-based discoveries into early phase clinical trials, the NIHR Sheffield BRC brings together outstanding scientists from The University of Sheffield and clinical disciplines at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust to reduce the translational gap between research ideas and the development of new treatments, diagnostics and medical technologies.

Main duties and responsibilities

• Design, develop and refine experiments in translational research in order to obtain reliable data.
• Assist in experimental medicine studies as required.
• Assist in the collection, documentation and analysis of biosamples.
• Analyse and record clinical data to aid the design of the research data.
• Prepare papers for journals / presentations either in-house or at national / international conferences or seminars to disseminate research findings.
• Write supporting documents to contribute to and support the work of the Research Group, eg reports and interim reports.
• Carry out administrative roles as required.
• Provide help to other researchers in the same laboratory in related fields of research.
• Read academic papers, journals and textbooks and attend conferences to keep abreast of developments.
• Attend relevant training days.
• Plan for specific aspects of the research programme as discussed with the fellowship supervisor.
• Contribute to research group planning.
• For each particular hypothesis, plan for own contribution up to three months ahead, incorporating issues such as the availability of resources, deadlines, project milestones and overall research aims. Design individual experiments and work-plan weekly.
• Coordinate and liaise with other members of the research group over work progress. Supervise research team/activities if required.
• Continuously monitor and check results with daily planning to accommodate new developments.
• Plan several months in advance to meet deadlines for journal publications and to prepare presentations and papers for conferences.
• As a member of staff you will be encouraged to make ethical decisions in your role, embedding the University sustainability strategy into your working activities wherever possible.
• Carry out other duties, commensurate with the grade and remit of the post

Person Specification

Our diverse community of staff and students recognises the unique abilities, backgrounds, and beliefs of all. We foster a culture where everyone feels they belong and is respected. Even if your past experience doesn't match perfectly with this role's criteria, your contribution is valuable, and we encourage you to apply. Please ensure that you reference the application criteria in the application statement when you apply.

Essential criteria

• MBBS or equivalent medical qualification (application)
• GMC full registration at time of appointment with a current licence to practice medicine and a minimum of two years General Professional Training involving direct patient care. (application)
• Effective communication skills, both written and verbal, including report writing, delivering presentations, communicating to staff at all levels and evidence of a personal contribution to the organisation’s strategic plan. (application / interview)
• Ability to analyse and solve problems with an appreciation of longer-term implications. (application / interview)
• The ability to use initiative and work independently, but excellent interpersonal skills to work as part of a multidisciplinary team and maintain a network of contacts throughout own work areas. (application / interview)
• The ability to use initiative and work independently, but excellent interpersonal skills to work as part of a multidisciplinary team and maintain a network of contacts throughout own work areas. (application / interview)
• Ability to work to deadlines. (application / interview)
• Understanding of Good Clinical Practice (GCP) (application / interview)
• MRCP (UK) or equivalent. (application)

Desirable criteria

• Experience in teaching undergraduate MBBS students and other research supervision with an understanding of current directions in undergraduate medical education. (application / interview)
• Strong evidence of academic potential and an interest in research and audit, with some previous experience resulting in publications and presentations. (application / interview)

Further Information

Grade: Will be those for Clinical Academic Staff.

Duration: 9 months fixed term, flexible start date after April 2025

Line manager: Professor of Infectious Diseases / Honorary Consultant Physician in Infectious Diseases

Direct reports: Research Associates and Technicians

Our website: https://www.sheffieldbrc.nihr.ac.uk/

For informal enquiries about this job contact
Thushan de Silva, Professor of Infectious Diseases / Honorary Consultant Physician in Infectious Diseases: on t.desilva@sheffield.ac.uk or on 0114 215 9532

Next steps in the recruitment process

It is anticipated that the selection process will take place on weeks commencing 24th February 2025 or 3rd March 2025. This will consist of an interview. We plan to let candidates know if they have progressed to the selection stage within one week of the interview. If you need any support, equipment or adjustments to enable you to participate in any element of the recruitment process you can contact foh-staffing@sheffield.ac.uk

Our vision and strategic plan

We are the University of Sheffield. This is our vision: sheffield.ac.uk/vision (opens in new window).
 

What we offer

• A minimum of 41 days annual leave including bank holiday and closure days (pro rata) with the ability to purchase more.
• Flexible working opportunities, including hybrid working for some roles.
• Generous pension scheme.
• A wide range of discounts and rewards on shopping, eating out and travel.
• A variety of staff networks, providing opportunities for social interaction, peer support and personal development (for example, Race Equality, LGBT+, Women’s and Parent’s networks).
• Recognition Awards to reward staff who go above and beyond in their role.
• A commitment to your development access to learning and mentoring schemes; via the NIHR Sheffield BRC Training Academy
• A range of generous family-friendly policies
  • paid time off for parenting and caring emergencies
  • support for those going through the menopause
  • paid time off and support for fertility treatment
  • and more

More details can be found on our benefits page: sheffield.ac.uk/jobs/benefits (opens in a new window).

We are a Disability Confident Employer. If you have a disability and meet the essential criteria for this job you will be invited to take part in the next stage of the selection process.

Criminal record

An enhanced DBS check will be needed for this role. More details on the checks can be found on the Government website: gov.uk/criminal-record-checks-apply-role (opens in a new window).

Possession of a criminal record is not an automatic bar to employment at the University of Sheffield. We recognise the value of steady employment in the rehabilitation process and examine each case in its own right. More information can be found on our Information for candidates page:- sheffield.ac.uk/jobs/candidates (opens in a new window).

We are a research university with a global reputation for excellence. Our ideas and expertise change the world for the better, making a real difference to society. We know that when people come together with different views, approaches and insights it can lead to richer, more creative and innovative teaching and research and the highest levels of student experience. Our University Vision (www.sheffield.ac.uk/vision) outlines our commitment to building a diverse community of staff and students that recognises and values the abilities, backgrounds, beliefs and ways of living for everyone.