Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

Research Fellow in Volatile Capture & Sustainable Anaesthesia

The closing date is 23 December 2025

Job summary

Role Summary

We are delighted to have secured a major research grant; a £3.5 million collaborative project focused on circularity and sustainability in volatile anaesthetics. The project will deliver a series of clinical and environmental studies designed to evaluate volatile capture technology, its impact on operating theatre air quality, occupational exposure, carbon emissions, and wider system transformation. These studies will provide the evidence base required to support a transition to lower-carbon models of anaesthetic practice across the NHS.

The role will be based within the NIHR HealthTech Research Centre in Sustainable Innovation at Royal Devon, providing the postholder with the opportunity to work at the forefront of applied sustainability research with a strong clinical focus. The Chief Investigator for the clinical studies work package is Professor Pete Ford. This is an exciting opportunity to be involved in high-impact research at the interface of anaesthesia, sustainability, and health technology.

Main duties of the job

For more detail about the main duties of this role, please see the job description section below. As a key member of the Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, you will be joining an exceptional team working together to help our patients to stay healthy, when they need it most.

About us

Stretching across Northern, Eastern and Mid Devon, we have a workforce of over 15,000 staff, making us the largest employer in Devon. Our core services, which we provide to more than 615,000 people, cover more than 2,000 square miles across Devon, while some of our specialist services cover the whole of the peninsula, extending our reach as far as Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.

We deliver a wide range of emergency, specialist and general medical services through North Devon District Hospital and the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital (Wonford).

Alongside our two acute hospitals, we provide integrated health and social care services across a variety of settings, including community inpatient hospitals, outpatient clinics, and within peoples own homes. We also offer primary care services, a range of specialist community services, and Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARC).

Our state-of-the-art equipment, leading technologies and strong links to local universities put us at the forefront of research and innovations, enabling us to provide world-class care to our local communities.

Its never been a more exciting time to join the Royal Devon, as youll help to shape our services as we continue along our integration journey.

Details

Date posted

10 December 2025

Pay scheme

Hospital medical and dental staff

Grade

Doctor - other

Salary

£65,048 to £65,048 a year

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

12 months

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

185-331-12055

Job locations

Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

Exeter

Devon

EX2 5DW


Job description

Job responsibilities

For more information on the Job Description and Responsibilities please click the link below.

More detail about the role

The postholder will support the delivery of the clinical research work package, contributing to environmental exposure studies - evaluating volatile capture technologies. There is potential to incorporate some clinical work (e.g. on-calls or day shifts), but this will need to be funded separately. The research time commitment of 2.5 days per week must be protected.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

Support the setup and delivery of clinical studies evaluating volatile capture technology.

Contribute to protocol development, ethics and R&D applications, and regulatory documentation (e.g. IRAS).

Assist with clinical and environmental data collection and analysis in operating theatre and simulation settings.

Work collaboratively with partner organisations and clinical teams to ensure smooth project delivery.

Contribute to monthly reporting and project milestones.

Support preparation of conference abstracts, presentations, and peer-reviewed manuscripts.

Participate in regular project meetings and maintain accurate study documentation.

Adhere to local and national research governance frameworks.

More detail about the role

Person Specification

GMC-registered doctor in Anaesthesia

Excellent organisational and communication skills

Ability to work independently and collaboratively

Interest in sustainability

Experience in data collection, audit, or QI

Publications or conference presentations

Contract Details

Start date: ASAP

Duration: 6 months initially, extendable to 12 months at review.

Location: Primarily based at Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, with potential travel to collaborating sites. For informal enquiries, please contact:

Professor Pete Ford

Consultant Anaesthetist & Chief Investigator

peteford@nhs.net

Working Pattern: 0.5 FTE Flexible days

Interview Date: TBC

For further information please contact: Professor Pete Ford - Consultant Anaesthetist & Chief Investigator on peteford@nhs.net

As an inclusive employer, the Royal Devon values diversity and is committed to creating a culture of inclusivity where everyone can be themselves and reach their full potential. We believe in fostering a sense of belonging and actively encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds, cultures, and abilities. We recognise the advantages of having a diverse workforce that reflects the communities we serve.

Preference will be given to staff with Priority and 'At Risk' status including NHS At Risk staff throughout Devon.

The Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust reserves the right to close vacancy when sufficient applications have been received.

The Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust was established in April 2022, bringing together the expertise of both the Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Foundation Trust and Northern Devon Healthcare NHS Trust.

Benefits

We will work together to maintain a culture that develops and supports you and your team.

This might include funding for a care certificate, a degree or leadership qualifications. Or it might include days off to study, engage in CPD or rotational placements to help you hone your skills. Wherever you are heading in the NHS, we'll help you get there.

Looking after you is important to us.

We strive to help our staff create a healthy work-life balance through flexible working schemes and our family friendly policies.

If you're starting out in the NHS, you'll start with 27 days paid annual leave (plus bank holidays), rising to 33 days plus bank holidays.

You'll benefit from access to our own comprehensive occupational health services, including counselling, onsite wellbeing activities and groups.

Salary is not the only financial benefit

You'll have access to an extensive range of staff discounts on shopping, fitness and leisure options and you can spread the cost of technology and home appliance purchases from major retailers.

You will also have access to other benefits including:

National discount services such as the Blue Light Card and Health Service Discounts.

Salary sacrifice options including our OFSTED rated outstanding nursery onsite at Exeter

Car lease schemes.

The NHS Pension scheme (one of the most generous and comprehensive in the UK).

Cycle to work scheme

These are just a few of the benefits available if the role is something you are interested in, we'd love to hear from you.

Job description

Job responsibilities

For more information on the Job Description and Responsibilities please click the link below.

More detail about the role

The postholder will support the delivery of the clinical research work package, contributing to environmental exposure studies - evaluating volatile capture technologies. There is potential to incorporate some clinical work (e.g. on-calls or day shifts), but this will need to be funded separately. The research time commitment of 2.5 days per week must be protected.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

Support the setup and delivery of clinical studies evaluating volatile capture technology.

Contribute to protocol development, ethics and R&D applications, and regulatory documentation (e.g. IRAS).

Assist with clinical and environmental data collection and analysis in operating theatre and simulation settings.

Work collaboratively with partner organisations and clinical teams to ensure smooth project delivery.

Contribute to monthly reporting and project milestones.

Support preparation of conference abstracts, presentations, and peer-reviewed manuscripts.

Participate in regular project meetings and maintain accurate study documentation.

Adhere to local and national research governance frameworks.

More detail about the role

Person Specification

GMC-registered doctor in Anaesthesia

Excellent organisational and communication skills

Ability to work independently and collaboratively

Interest in sustainability

Experience in data collection, audit, or QI

Publications or conference presentations

Contract Details

Start date: ASAP

Duration: 6 months initially, extendable to 12 months at review.

Location: Primarily based at Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, with potential travel to collaborating sites. For informal enquiries, please contact:

Professor Pete Ford

Consultant Anaesthetist & Chief Investigator

peteford@nhs.net

Working Pattern: 0.5 FTE Flexible days

Interview Date: TBC

For further information please contact: Professor Pete Ford - Consultant Anaesthetist & Chief Investigator on peteford@nhs.net

As an inclusive employer, the Royal Devon values diversity and is committed to creating a culture of inclusivity where everyone can be themselves and reach their full potential. We believe in fostering a sense of belonging and actively encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds, cultures, and abilities. We recognise the advantages of having a diverse workforce that reflects the communities we serve.

Preference will be given to staff with Priority and 'At Risk' status including NHS At Risk staff throughout Devon.

The Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust reserves the right to close vacancy when sufficient applications have been received.

The Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust was established in April 2022, bringing together the expertise of both the Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Foundation Trust and Northern Devon Healthcare NHS Trust.

Benefits

We will work together to maintain a culture that develops and supports you and your team.

This might include funding for a care certificate, a degree or leadership qualifications. Or it might include days off to study, engage in CPD or rotational placements to help you hone your skills. Wherever you are heading in the NHS, we'll help you get there.

Looking after you is important to us.

We strive to help our staff create a healthy work-life balance through flexible working schemes and our family friendly policies.

If you're starting out in the NHS, you'll start with 27 days paid annual leave (plus bank holidays), rising to 33 days plus bank holidays.

You'll benefit from access to our own comprehensive occupational health services, including counselling, onsite wellbeing activities and groups.

Salary is not the only financial benefit

You'll have access to an extensive range of staff discounts on shopping, fitness and leisure options and you can spread the cost of technology and home appliance purchases from major retailers.

You will also have access to other benefits including:

National discount services such as the Blue Light Card and Health Service Discounts.

Salary sacrifice options including our OFSTED rated outstanding nursery onsite at Exeter

Car lease schemes.

The NHS Pension scheme (one of the most generous and comprehensive in the UK).

Cycle to work scheme

These are just a few of the benefits available if the role is something you are interested in, we'd love to hear from you.

Person Specification

General Requirements

Essential

  • See job description text above, and (where applicable) you can download a copy of the full job description

Desirable

  • See job description text above, and (where applicable) you can download a copy of the full job description
Person Specification

General Requirements

Essential

  • See job description text above, and (where applicable) you can download a copy of the full job description

Desirable

  • See job description text above, and (where applicable) you can download a copy of the full job description

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Additional information

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details

Employer name

Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

Exeter

Devon

EX2 5DW


Employer's website

https://royaldevon.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer details

Employer name

Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

Exeter

Devon

EX2 5DW


Employer's website

https://royaldevon.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Consultant Anaesthetist & Chief Investigator

Professor Pete Ford

peteford@nhs.net

Details

Date posted

10 December 2025

Pay scheme

Hospital medical and dental staff

Grade

Doctor - other

Salary

£65,048 to £65,048 a year

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

12 months

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

185-331-12055

Job locations

Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

Exeter

Devon

EX2 5DW


Supporting documents

Privacy notice

Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust's privacy notice (opens in a new tab)