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

This is an outstanding opportunity for a senior clinical academic to join the School of Medicine and Population Health to make a contribution to the major themes of neuroscience research at the University of Sheffield.  We are seeking a clinical academic Neurologist with an interest in mechanistic understanding and a translational approach to therapeutic development in motor neuron disease/amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS/MND). You will also strengthen the existing research teams and contribute to the high-quality neuroscience research programmes in Sheffield.  This new post has arisen from a joint strategic initiative between the University of Sheffield, the Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust (STH) and the Motor Neuron Disease Association (MNDA) to implement our clinical and research plans in relation to Neurology and motor neuron disease (MND).   

You will integrate into the Division of Neuroscience located in the Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience (SITRaN), which is one of the three constituent divisions of the School of Medicine and Population Health, and within the Neuroscience Directorate at the Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. The detailed job plan will be organised specifically for the appointed person, in terms of the split between clinical and academic work. 

The post represents an exciting opportunity to combine clinical work with a programme of high-quality research within the School of Medicine and Population Health. We are seeking a highly motivated senior clinician scientist with a track record of conducting high quality research in the field of MND and clinical expertise relevant to MND and neuromuscular disorders. You should have a track record of high-quality Neuroscience research.  You will be expected to have evidence of academic achievement, for instance in the form of high-quality publications and external grant funding awards.  You will hold full registration with the GMC, with a substantial number of years' experience in clinical service within Neurology.

The post will be supported by excellent facilities for research, office accommodation and access to clinical and academic administration support. 

In line with School of Medicine and Population Health policy all academic staff are expected to contribute to teaching including undergraduate MB ChB and post graduate teaching.

The post will be supported by an endowed Professorship from the MND Association, valued at £1.5m over 8 years. A proportion of the endowment can be used if necessary to support the salary of the Professor to allow increased time for research activities.

Main duties and responsibilities

• Lead an MND research team that conducts innovative and high-quality research and scholarship that is recognised internationally in terms of originality, significance and rigor.
• Conduct innovative and high-quality MND research and scholarship that is recognised internationally in terms of originality, significance and rigor.
• Disseminate research findings through conference presentations and publications in recognised high-quality/peer-reviewed journals.  Ensure research activities align with REF, outputs, impact and environment.
• Co-develop funding strategies, pursue income generation and secure research grants from national and international competitive funders.
• Contribute to the research profile of SITraN and the School and its standing nationally and internationally.
• Contribute to the development of an interdisciplinary strategy for clinical research.
• Co-Lead research projects and/or groups, planning work and delegating work to the appropriate staff.  Manage / co-manage external research funding.
• Build a relationship with the Burrow family and the Leeds MND Rob Burrows clinic to report on research findings and build collaborations with the Leeds MND team.
• Provide Clinical input and teaching to the Clinical Neurology and other MSc courses.
• Contribute to the undergraduate teaching provided by the Division of Neuroscience in Phases 1, 2 and 3 of the MBChB through ward and clinic-based teaching as required as well as lectures and seminars.
• Facilitate and respond to student feedback, including from course evaluations and staff-student meetings.
• Reflect on own teaching design and delivery and implementing ideas for improving performance.  
• Contribute to formulation of teaching policy within the course, School or Faculty as appropriate, and promote the sharing of good practice through attendance at L&T committees.
• Carry out pastoral and supervisory roles for undergraduate and postgraduate. If necessary, refer them to the appropriate authority for guidance.
• Provide educational support and training to junior medical staff.
• Supervise undergraduate and postgraduate research.
• You will also contribute to the wider undergraduate and postgraduate teaching programmes of the School and will also be involved with the assessment of students and mentoring a small group of students.  Neuroscience delivers medical undergraduate teaching in Phases 1, 2 and 3, of the undergraduate medical course. 
• You will make a full and active contribution to the principles of the ‘Sheffield Academic’. These include the achievement of excellence in applied teaching and research, and scholarly pursuits to make a genuine difference in the subject area and to the University’s achievements as a whole. 
• 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.
• You will be required to be sufficiently flexible to undertake your main clinical duties.
• You will have continuing responsibility for patients in your care and the proper functioning of the Directorate.  Candidates will join the on-call rota according to the needs of the Department.  You may be required to cover for colleagues during periods of absence. 
• This post will comprise 10 programmed activities, of which up to 3.5 will be NHS and up to 6.5 will be for the University.   The clinical PAs will be made up initially of one clinic per week serving a specialist neuromuscular clinic in Sheffield, as well as time for a weekly ward round, participation in MDT and on call and consultant of the week duties (the latter at half of the level undertaken by full time NHS consultants). 
• Provide effective leadership that supports staff development and motivation.
• Increase the external recognition of the School, Hospital and the University through academic achievement and involvement in external professional activities such as refereeing papers, editing major journals, refereeing research grants, external examining, organising or contributing to international conferences, advising on national and international boards and groups or on policy, or being elected to national or international societies.
• Carry out other duties, commensurate with the grade and remit of the post

A full list of duties and responsibilities, including a sample job plan can be viewed at https://docs.google.com/document/d/103i6HaAk_kOGQuex13slKEKcZvJK7C9C/edit#heading=h.u9t0gj2fj93

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.

Further Information

Next steps in the recruitment process

It is anticipated that the selection process will take place on Thursday 25th September 2025 (am). This will consist of an interview and a 15 minute presentation (presentation title “My strategy for contributing to impactful translational neuroscience research in the field of motor neuron disease at the University of Sheffield”). We plan to let candidates know if they have progressed to the selection stage by Monday 21st September. 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; integrated with our Academic Career Pathways
• 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 with barred lists 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.