Clinical Research Fellow

Location: Leeds - Chapel Allerton Hospital

Working time: 100% Full time Equivalent

Contract type: Fixed term (Available until 31^st July 2027 to complete a specific task or time limited work, including the need for specific expertise or additional resource for a project.)

Are you medically qualified and ambitious with an interest in research and Inflammatory Arthritis? Do you have experience of working in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus? Do you have excellent organisational skills and attention to detail? Do you want to be part of a successful, highly-talented and leading research team? Are you keen to expand knowledge into this field and work collaboratively across research themes? Do you want to further your career by undertaking an PhD in one of the UK’s leading research intensive Universities?

The University of Leeds is one of the top 75 universities in the world. We have a truly global community, with more than 39,000 students from 170 different countries and over 9,000 staff of 100 different nationalities. Established in 1904, we have a strong tradition of academic excellence, reflected in first-class student education, along with world-leading research that has a real impact around the globe.

SLE is one of a group of connective tissue disease characterized by inflammation in multiple organs, type I interferon activity autoantibodies poor quality of life. Musculoskeletal manifestations are among the most common and impactful to patients but poorly treated. We have previously worked extensively in the phenotyping of SLE arthritis using imaging and development of better outcome measures.

Our current work in this field has several aims. We want to advance understanding of the role of imaging using both ultrasound and MRI. We want to validate new outcome measures for clinical trials. And most importantly, we want to develop a new disease classification for patients with this clinical problem. We may also investigation immunophenotype and synovial biopsy. Systematic literature review is likely to be required. Patient-public engagement is essential.

You will have relevant assessing and extracting data for patients with a range of connective tissue diseases, conduct of clinical trials, some statistical analysis, and experience in publication. The skills developed during the work will include more advanced statistical and causal inference methods using R, advanced use of imaging, clinical trials expertise. The ability to manage your time effectively and work under pressure is essential, along with effective interpersonal, communication, and team working skills.

What we offer in return

26 days holiday plus approx.16 Bank Holidays/days that the University is closed by custom (including Christmas) – That’s 42 days a year!

Generous pension scheme options plus life assurance.

Health and Wellbeing: Discounted staff membership options at The Edge, our state-of-the-art Campus gym, with a pool, sauna, climbing wall, cycle circuit, and sports halls.

Personal Development:

• Access to courses run by our Organisational Development & Professional Learning team. 
• All FMH staff are entitled to ten days staff development per year (pro rata). Please speak to your Line Manager about how you can utilise these.

Access to on-site childcare, shopping discounts and travel schemes are also available.

This is a fixed term appointment that will include the opportunity to undertake a research degree (i.e. PhD).

To explore the post further or for any queries you may have, please contact:

Name: Professor Edward Vital, Professor in NIHR Biomedical Research Centre and Leeds Institute of Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Medicine.

Email: e.m.j.vital@leeds.ac.uk

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