This post within the Lymphoma Disease Group offers an exciting opportunity to contribute equally to clinical service and academic research (50:50 split). The position is for 10 Programmed Activities (PAs) per week and is based at The Christie NHS Foundation Trust, a leading centre for cancer care and research.
The post-holder will have clinical responsibilities in lymphoma oncology, supporting the delivery of high-quality patient care in line with NICE Improving Outcomes Guidance for Haematological Cancers. In addition to direct clinical duties, the successful candidate will actively contribute to the development and implementation of research initiatives aimed at improving outcomes for patients with lymphoma. They will collaborate with two University clinical academics leading research in late effects and translational biomarkers at The Christie and the NIHR Manchester Biomedical Research Centre (BRC). Consultants in the department participate in an on-call rota that involves a commitment to a full week in every twenty weeks with responsibilities during normal working hours and non-resident out of hours.
This is an excellent opportunity for an enthusiastic clinician with an interest in academic medicine to gain experience within a dynamic multidisciplinary team at one of the UK’s foremost cancer centres.
The successful candidate will provide comprehensive care and clinical oversight for medical oncology inpatients and outpatients within the lymphoma service. They will develop, lead & deliver a high-quality clinical programme aimed at improving patient outcomes & will play a key role in establishing a regional cardio-oncology service. A significant aspect of the role will be to expand clinical trials portfolio, increasing patient access to novel therapies & personalised medicine, particularly through the adoption of biomarker-driven trial designs.
The appointee will lead new investigator-initiated studies through the UKCCC Lymphoma Group & work to increase referrals for clinical trials and second opinions, thereby enhancing the national and international visibility of the service. They will contribute to the planned expansion of ECMC early-phase
lymphoma research, supporting patients’ access to innovative treatments & generating additional commercial income for the Trust. In addition, the post-holder will develop real-world observational studies on rare lymphomas such as PMBCL and PTLD through national & international collaboration.
The role also carries important academic and educational responsibilities, including participation in undergraduate and postgraduate teaching & the supervision of MD and PhD students. The post-holder will lead a regional oncology education programme for foundation trainees, supporting the development of the next generation of clinical academics.
The postholder will contribute to the delivery of high‑quality consultant‑led care across 7 days. This includes participation in planned weekend & weekday clinical activity to support safe, timely decision‑making and continuity of care for patients.
The Christie is one of Europe’s leading cancer centres, treating over 60,000 patients a year. We are based in Manchester & serve a population of 3.2 million across Greater Manchester & Cheshire, but as a national specialist around 15% patients are referred to us from other parts of the country. We provide radiotherapy through one of the largest radiotherapy departments in the world; chemotherapy on site and through 14 other hospitals; highly specialist surgery for complex and rare cancer; and a wide range of support and diagnostic services. We are also an international leader in research, with world first breakthroughs for over 100 years. We run one of the largest early clinical trial units in Europe with over 300 trials every year. Cancer research in Manchester, most of which is undertaken on the Christie site, has been officially ranked the best in the UK.
ORGANISATIONAL ARRANGEMENTS
This post will be within the Lymphoma Disease Group, with a balanced 50:50 split between clinical service and academic research. Our service is fully compliant with the NICE improving Guidance on Haematological Cancers: improving outcomes. The post is for 10 Programmed Activities (PAs) per week on a permanent contract. All outpatient clinics will take place at The Christie main site.
Role Purpose
The post-holder will have clinical commitments in Lymphoma oncology and will help to develop and deliver a high quality clinical and research service to improve outcomes for patients with lymphoma.
The role will be responsible for:
Provide comprehensive care and oversight for medical oncology inpatients and outpatients.
Develop, lead, and deliver a high-quality clinical service aimed at improving patient outcomes.
Assist in establishing a regional cardio-oncology service.
Expand the clinical trials portfolio to offer patients increased access to novel therapies and personalized medicine, especially with the adoption of biomarker-driven trial designs.
Lead new investigator-initiated studies through the UKCCC Lymphoma Group.
Increase referrals for clinical trials and second opinions to enhance national and international visibility.
Contribute to the planned expansion of ECMC early-phase lymphoma research, benefiting patients directly and generating additional commercial income for the Trust.
Expand real-world observational studies on rare lymphomas (e.g., PMBCL, PTLD) through national and international collaboration.
Participate in undergraduate and postgraduate teaching and educational activities.
Supervise MD/PhD students and lead a regional oncology education program for foundation trainees.
Contribute to MDTs across the service.
Play an active role in clinical governance, audit, and quality improvement
The appointee will be expected to develop a significant interest in lymphoma oncology delivering systemic therapy.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Academic
The postholder will collaborate with two University clinical-academics leading research in late effects and translational biomarkers at The Christie and NIHR Manchester BRC. They will lead and expand lymphoma research, particularly in cardiotoxicity biomarkers, supporting strategic goals such as the BRC3 bid and future tenure-track opportunities. The role includes supervising MD/PhD students and contributing to undergraduate and postgraduate teaching.
Lymphoma
The post holder will be one of four medical oncology consultants specialising in Lymphoma who have on average 65 new patient referrals and 670 follow up appointments per year per consultant.
Medical oncology consultants are as follows:
Prof Kim Linton (lead)
Dr Elizabeth Phillips
Dr Rachel Broadbent
The lymphoma team is also supported by one specialty Doctor, one clinical research fellow, four clinical nurse specialists and one nurse clinician.
The post holder will be reporting to the disease group lead and Clinical Director with additional support from the Service Manager for Networked services.
They will participate in a 1 in 5 attending consultant rota in the lymphoma team, shared between the consultants and speciality doctor. When on attending duties, they will be expected to provide timely expert input to guide the management of newly admitted patients, daily senior oversight of inpatient management and a weekly consultant ward round of lymphoma inpatients at The Christie.
There is no out of hours cover required as part of this attending rota.
They will develop, lead and deliver early and late phase clinical trials of novel therapies and advanced cellular therapy medicinal products to patients with lymphoma. They will contribute to the Experimental Cancer Medicine Team and Department of Medical Oncology strategy documents.
The post holder will have access to office accommodation with computer, intranet and internet and secretarial support. There is provision for both flexible working and working from home where applicable to the appointee’s timetable.
Job Plan Timetable
The timetable below is indicative and will be confirmed on commencement in post.
It is the requirement of the Trust that all new consultant colleagues must have 0.25 SPAs within their job plan to support Trust appraisal and supervision requirements. This can either be as appraiser or a supervisor for medical staff or Advanced Clinical Practitioners (ACP).
(The postholder will attend 2-3 clinics per week on a rotational basis. Additional programmed activities include a lymphoma research meeting (Thursday 1-2pm), quarterly educational meetings (Friday 8-9am) and quarterly SACT meetings (Friday 8-9am), quarterly business meetings (Friday 4-5pm). The postholder may also join the intrathecal chemotherapy administration and training rota.
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
AM
Main treatment clinic
SPA/Teaching/Admin
Research clinic
Consultant ward round (attending consultant)
Monthly educational/ audit meeting
Main treatment clinic
PM
SPA/Teaching/Admin
Advanced cellular therapies clinic
New patient clinic (attending consultant)
Late effects clinic
Lymphoma MDT
NB This timetable is indicative
Job Plan PA Summary
Total PAs
Direct Clinical Care (DCC)
7.5
Supporting Professional Activities (SPA) (including 1.5 core SPA)
2.5
Supervision role (minimum 0.25 must be allocated)
0.25
Total Programmed Activities (PAs)
10
On call Commitments
This role does require participation in the on-call rota.
