This 40-hour per week Fellowship offers an exciting opportunity for a senior medical trainee to join the Breast Disease Group at The Christie NHS Foundation Trust. The role forms part of an expanding research programme within the Systemic Therapy Research Group, aimed at significantly increasing research output across Medical Oncology.
This post is ideal for a motivated and enthusiastic applicant with a medical degree who is seeking a career in Medical Oncology and wishes to develop expertise in breast cancer research and clinical trials.
The successful candidate will work within a multidisciplinary research team comprising three medical oncology consultants, research nurses, and clinical trial coordinators. The group delivers a diverse portfolio of studies, including investigator-led, academic, and commercial trials. These encompass biomarker research, real-world data analyses, and interventional therapeutic studies across all phases (I–III).Fellows are actively supported to present at conferences and publish their work.
The role includes attending 2–3 research clinics per week and contributing to the care of breast cancer patients enrolled in early- and late-phase clinical trials within the Clinical Research Facility. Additional opportunities are provided to gain experience in the management of early and advanced breast cancer through ward work and outpatient clinics.
Successful applicants will divide their time between research and a moderate clinical commitment; this may involve clinical research and audit activities, including protocol-writing. The post-holder will work closely with other members of the respective multidisciplinary teams and will support the consultants, specialist registrars, and clinical research nurses in managing the disease group clinical trial portfolios. This will facilitate more rapid clinical decision making, an increase in the number of trials opened, together with increased recruitment of patients into new and existing research protocols.
The Fellow will attend appropriate clinics per week (a maximum of three research and two NHS clinics), and multidisciplinary meetings. In addition, they will participate in clinical research meetings and any other relevant trial planning or trial set-up meetings. The Fellow will also spend time reviewing clinical data, writing abstracts/manuscripts, planning new studies and attending educational meetings.
The postholder will contribute to the delivery of high‑quality consultant‑led care across 7 days. This includes participation in planned weekend and 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 and 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.
The Breast Research group based at the Christie is comprised of 3 consultants, research nurses and data managers who undertake a range of research and clinical trial programmes. There will also be additional team members providing direct clinical care in the outpatient areas, these include ANPs, clinical fellows, GPs and the secondary breast cancer nursing team.
The appointee will be based at The Christie and will provide senior input to the care of the medical oncology Breast patients in both the inpatient and outpatient setting.
The post holder is committed to delivering at least four of the following:
- Successfully complete a clinical audit.
- Actively participate in at least one national or international meeting (abstract presentation).
- Successfully publish at least two first-author peer-reviewed manuscripts.
- Aid income generation through assistance in development and writing of investigator-led studies/grant applications for research projects.
- Increase the international profile of the Disease Group, The Christie Institute Cancer Education and The Christie Medical Oncology Fellowship programme.
- Representation from The Christie on international professional committees
The Clinical Research fellow will have the following opportunities within the Department of Medical Oncology:
- Audit: Fellows play a key role in Clinical Audit as a member of The Christie Medical staff.
- Clinics: Research fellows in Medical Oncology usually attend several outpatient clinics per week
(seeing new referrals, follow-ups and patients on clinical trials) and are expected to undertake the
administrative duties associated with the care of these patients.
- Clinical Governance: Fellows are expected to participate in all relevant aspects of clinical
governance, including maintaining up-to-date protocols, guidelines, and clinical audit, under the
supervision of the Consultants in the team.
- Education: There are numerous courses organized annually by The Christie Institute For Cancer Education (CiCE) at The Christie. Please refer to CiCE webiste. The Christie Institute for Cancer Education Manchester
In addition, there is an annual research event where all Medical Oncology fellows are encouraged to present their on-going research and a little about themselves. There are also weekly teaching sessions in practical life skills related to Medical Oncology, such as interview skills, oral presentation skills, curriculum vitae preparation, media training, career development etc.
- Professional Development: Fellows should also maintain a level of continuing professional development consistent with the recommendations of the Royal College of Physicians. Appropriate arrangements for study leave will be made in conjunction with colleagues. There is the potential to attend international meetings to present research work and fellows are expected to be involved in writing papers and reviews and will also be required to undergo an annual appraisal.
- Protocol Development: Fellows may also assist with the revision and development of evidence based clinical trial protocols for patients.
- Research: There are excellent opportunities for research within the Department. Fellows are encouraged to contribute to current research projects within the unit and/or set up new projects.
The Manchester Cancer Research Centre has been established to bring together the expertise, ambition and resources of partner organizations, which include the University of Manchester, the Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute, Cancer Research UK, in addition to The Christie NHS Foundation Trust.
The appointee will be based at The Christie and will provide senior input to Breast Research Team.
Continuing Professional Development
The Trust supports the requirements for continuing professional development (CPD) as laid down by the GMC and surgical colleges and is committed to providing time and financial support for these
activities.
Role Planning
The weekly timetable for the post is flexible and can be agreed with appropriate supervisors prior to
commencement in post. As outlined previously, this would include a maximum of three research and
two NHS clinics per week. Arrangements to visit the hospital may be made directly with key contacts
indicated above within individual post descriptions.
Weekend working will consist of clinical activities that are scheduled in advance and reviewed where
required as work schedules are reviewed, taking account of service needs.
On call Commitments
This role does not require participation in the on-call rota.
