About the role
Brighton & Sussex Medical School (BSMS) is seeking to appoint a Professor of Oncology or Clinical Associate Professor, depending on career stage, with an honorary consultant contract at University Hospitals Sussex. This is a new post which has been created to realise the huge potential for cancer research in Sussex created by the new regional cancer centre at Brighton, the Trust’s ambition to be the leading regional clinical research centre and the research strength in cancer biology which exists at the medical school. The post incorporates 2 PAs specifically for development of translational clinical research in addition to 8 PAs to include core academic, clinical and supporting professional activity.
The role holder will have an outstanding track record of oncology research. They will have the vision, leadership experience and enthusiasm to build on the excellent multidisciplinary research strength of BSMS and University Hospitals Sussex which spans clinical trials and translational cancer research. They will strengthen clinical research across the regional Sussex Cancer Centre which sits within University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust, the Sussex Cancer Research Centre and the Sussex Health and Care Research Partnership.
All positions at the level of Associate Professor and upward are senior career-grade teaching and research positions and are expected to show academic leadership in both, supporting the management and strategic planning processes of the School and the Universities. It is anticipated that, as senior clinical academics, grant applications and funding acquisition will form a significant part of the role to support the development of oncology research within Sussex. It is anticipated that this post will support the development of a Joint Clinical Academic Department (JCAD) of Cancer and Palliative Care within the Trust and at BSMS and that a further Associate Professor post linked to the Trust will be developed, with the input of this post holder.
Current key strengths at BSMS are in areas that include global health/infection, mental health and translational haemato-oncology. We are keen to widen our cancer research to other areas of oncology and welcome applications from candidates with expertise in either medical or clinical oncology. Our commitment to further cancer research is illustrated by the development and success of the Sussex Cancer Research Centre (SCRC). The SCRC brings together colleagues from BSMS, the University of Sussex, the University of Brighton, and NHS Trusts across Sussex, to pioneer interdisciplinary research that will improve cancer treatments and outcomes. Examples of current research can be seen on the SCRC website.
University Hospitals Sussex (UHSx) is the leading research NHS provider in the NIHR Southeast Region. It hosts the NIHR Sussex Commercial Research Delivery Centre. It is currently delivering a major capital programme to develop its research facilities including a new central clinical research facility on the Brighton site jointly funded by the Trust and NIHR.
For Professorial level the candidate will be expected to make a broad and sustained contribution to their field and discipline nationally and internationally, and to demonstrate sustained exceptional performance in research and innovation, education, and leadership and management. They will be required to undertake formal School level leadership roles appropriate to their background and portfolio.
The postholder will hold a 0.5 FTE role as honorary consultant with the University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust (UHSFT) with clinical duties in the Department of Oncology which is currently part of Clinical Cancer Services. The post is open to either a Medical or Clinical Oncologist who has completed specialist training and holds a CCT in either speciality.
Please see our recruitment pack for further information on BSMS, the Trust and the Sussex Cancer Research Centre.
About you
The postholder will lead their own programme of research and drive the development of oncology research at BSMS and University Hospitals Sussex. BSMS and our parent universities offer extensive facilities and expertise to support a wide range of other research interests linked to oncology. This includes the Brighton and Sussex Clinical Trials Unit, laboratory based (space is available if required) and health outcomes research. In addition, we have cross-cutting BSMS research themes of health inequalities, population health/prevention, and the health of coastal communities which will be relevant.
The successful candidate will undertake their research within the Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, contribute to research leadership with research elements embedded into the undergraduate and postgraduate courses. We anticipate this transformative appointment will be supported to develop academic oncology at BSMS including additional posts linked to the Trust. They will drive development of the cancer research portfolio led by academics in Sussex which may include both translational research and those currently trials active within the university/NHS Trust. Lab space and a registered clinical trials unit (with new Director Prof Ivonne Solis-Trapala) are both available to support this work. The candidate will help develop strategies for increasing both research income and academic outputs. They will join BSMS at an important juncture where we build our reputation in this important field in partnership with UHSx and partner trusts. Alongside the current translational and clinical trials research being undertaken in haemato-oncology, the Clinical Cancer Services division has an increasing clinical trials presence in multiple solid tumour malignancies including but not limited to gynaecological, breast, lung, GI and skin malignancies and an interest in post licencing, optimisation trials.
The post holder will contribute to the delivery and further development of teaching in aspects of medicine and/or surgery across the School and take a leadership role in providing undergraduate students with an excellent experience of education in relevant areas of interest across the curriculum. The postholder will also engage with external organisations and networks to support strong relationships across undergraduate and postgraduate training. The Professor/Associate Professor of Oncology will take a lead in supporting student-led clinical/medical oncology related activities and career development. They will encourage and enable clinical colleagues within and beyond BSMS to engage with its teaching programmes, including the provision of placements, Student Selected Components (SSCs) and 4th year Individual Research Project placements.
About our School
Brighton and Sussex Medical School (BSMS) is an equal partnership between the Universities of Sussex and Brighton together with NHS organisations throughout the South-East Region. BSMS is committed to inclusivity, sustainability, medical education in a multi-professional context, and promoting the highest possible standards in our teaching, clinical practice and research (ranging from early translational to applied).
Working together, our Academics, Technicians and Professional Services staff co-ordinate the passionate delivery of teaching and research, allowing us to remain one of the leading choices of medical schools in the UK. Our staff are multiskilled and work across varied teams, which are diverse, experienced and dedicated.
Our object as a School is to strive for excellence in education, training and research allowing us to support all in a constantly changing healthcare sector. We work to create a nurturing and supportive environment in which our staff and our students can succeed and thrive.
Our medical research has developed a strong reputation for making a real impact locally, nationally and internationally.
Ultimately, our research aims to:
- improve medical treatment
- answer fundamental biomedical and clinical questions
- deliver more personalised healthcare to patients.
Brighton and Sussex Medical School is proud to hold a Gold Athena Swann Award.
Why work here
Our university is situated off the A27, next to the beautiful South Downs where you will enjoy everything that our 150-acre campus has to offer. We are accessible by public transport; Falmer train station is a five-minute walk to campus and several bus stops are located within campus. We also have dedicated cycling paths and encourage our staff to use these with our offering of a cycle to work scheme.
Sussex is a renowned, multi-accredited, research-led International University and this is only possible because of the people that work here. Whether you are a member of Faculty, part of a Professional Services team or a Student, it’s our people that make us great and we want you to be part of that.
Find out about our equality, diversity and inclusion.
Further Key Information
Please contact: Co-Heads of the Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Professor Andrea Pepper ([email protected]) or Professor Somnath Mukhopadhyay ([email protected]) or Dean of Brighton and Sussex Medical School, Professor Richard McManus ([email protected]) for informal enquiries.
For enquires regarding the Sussex Cancer Research Centre please contact Dr Simon Mitchell Director of the SCRC ([email protected])
For enquiries regarding clinical research aspects please contact Dr Bex Herbertson, Research Lead for Oncology ([email protected]), Sarah Westwell Chief of Service – Cancer Division ([email protected]) or the Trust Chief Medical Officer, Prof Katie Urch ([email protected]).
The University is committed to equality and valuing diversity, and applications are particularly welcomed from women and black and minority ethnic candidates, who are under-represented in academic posts in Science, Technology, Engineering, Medicine and Mathematics (STEMM) at Sussex.
The University of Sussex values the diversity of its staff and students, and we welcome applicants from all backgrounds.
Eligibility
Visa Sponsorship Queries: This role has been assigned an eligible SOC code and meets the salary requirements for Skilled Worker Sponsorship if full time. Please consult our Skilled Worker Visa information page for further information about Visa Sponsorship.
The University requires that work undertaken for the University is performed in the UK.
