Clinical Research Fellow

Location: South Kensington Campus

Job Summary

This post offers a unique opportunity to develop and deliver a first in human study of a novel fluorescent BCG strain designed by Imperial College investigators to help accelerate the development of new vaccines and treatment for tuberculosis.

Tuberculosis remains a global problem with around 1.5 million deaths and 9 million new cases annually, despite the availability of not only a vaccine (BCG) for nearly 100 years, but also effective chemotherapy for over half a century. BCG works least well in endemic areas and antimycobacterial chemotherapy involved multiple drugs over an extended period and antimicrobial resistance has led to extended complex regimens. Experimental medicine in humans has a long history in infectious disease and the current project is develop a human challenge model for tuberculosis to facilitate early-stage screening of novel vaccine, to allow their prioritisation before expensive large scale clinical trials.

We are aiming to recruit an enthusiastic and motivated physician with an interest in infectious disease, academic medicine, and who wishes to expand their research portfolio. The post holder will have an integral role in the set-up and delivery of a new human challenge trial, with responsibility for protocol development, participant recruitment and screening, and clinical care of study participants during and after challenge. The successful applicant will have the opportunity to develop laboratory skills in microbiology and immunology, focussing on challenge strain characterisation and the development of new serological assays. There will also be opportunities to support delivery of other clinical studies (including trials) within the Infection and AMR theme of the Imperial College Biomedical Research Centre.

Duties and responsibilities

• Assisting with the day-to-day management and delivery of a human challenge model of fluorescent BCG
• Assist with recruitment and screening of healthy volunteers into a human challenge model of fluorescent BCG
• Providing direct clinical liaison with the research nurses co-responsible for recruiting and caring for the enrolled patients.
• Providing direct clinical care to study participants, in liaison with the research nurses, the study PI and clinical steering group.
• Supporting (if required) delivery of other clinical studies (including trials) within the Infection and AMR theme of the Imperial College Biomedical Research Centre.

Essential requirements

• Must hold GMC (General Medical Council) registration

• Clinically qualified (MBBS or equivalent)
• Membership of the Royal College of Physicians, or equivalent
• Certification in Advanced Life Support (ALS) or equivalent
• Significant clinical experience in general internal medicine and the management of mycobacterial infection
• Understanding of BCG and MTB infection, including burden of disease, risk factors for invasive infection, management

Further Information

This is a Full Time and Fixed Term post for 3 years based in the South Kensington Campus but will require work at clinical partner sites (St Mary’s, Hammersmith and Chelsea and Westminster Campuses) and the Francis Crick Institute as and when required.

Salary upon appointment will also include an additional London Weighting Allowance of £2,162 per annum.

Should you require any further details on the role please contact: Dr Brian Robertson at b.robertson@imperial.ac.uk or Prof Graham Cooke at g.cooke@imperial.ac.uk

Closing date: 17/04/2023

To apply, visit www.imperial.ac.uk/jobs and search by the job reference MED03779.

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