Job summary
Clinic Fellow in Epilepsy and Sleep Medicine at the John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford
Start Date: 01 December 2025
This post will span the clinical and research gamut of epilepsy and sleep to develop clinical, research and teaching skills for the successful applicant. The position will provide sub-specialist experience in complex epileptology and sleep medicine to consultant level, in addition to epilepsy research. The Fellow will gain experience in diagnosis and management of a full range of complex sleep disorders including narcolepsy and training in the interpretation of sleep diagnostic studies. The post will support the medical and neurosurgical management of epilepsy and sleep medicine at OUHFT under the supervision of Prof Arjune Sen and Dr Mkael Symmonds. Additional specialist training in autoimmune aspects of epilepsy will be provided by Dr Adam Handel
For specific queries, please contact -
Prof Arjune Sen
Arjune.sen@ndcn.ox.ac.uk
Dr Mkael Symmonds
Mkael.symmonds@ouh.nhs.uk
Dr Adam Handel
Adam.handel@ndcn.ox.ac.uk
Main duties of the job
This post will span the clinical and research gamut of epilepsy and sleep to develop clinical, research and teaching skills for the successful applicant. The position will provide sub-specialist experience in complex epileptology and sleep medicine to consultant level, in addition to epilepsy research. The Fellow will gain experience in diagnosis and management of a full range of complex sleep disorders including narcolepsy and training in the interpretation of sleep diagnostic studies. The post will support the medical and neurosurgical management of epilepsy and sleep medicine at OUHFT under the supervision of Prof Arjune Sen and Dr Mkael Symmonds. Additional specialist training in autoimmune aspects of epilepsy will be provided by Dr Adam Handel
About us
Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trustis one of the largest NHS teaching trusts in the country. It provides a wide range of general and specialist clinical services and is a base for medical education, training and research. The Trust comprises four hospitals - the John Radcliffe Hospital, Churchill Hospital and Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre in Headington and the Horton General Hospital in Banbury.
Our values, standards and behaviours define the quality of clinical care we offer and the professional relationships we make with our patients, colleagues and the wider community.
We call this Delivering Compassionate Excellence, and its focus is on our values of compassion, respect, learning, delivery, improvement and excellence.
These values put patients at the heart of what we do and underpin the quality healthcare we would like for ourselves or a member of our family. Watch how we set out to deliver compassionate excellence via the OUH YouTube channel.
In 2023 NHS England launched its first sexual safety charter, and our Trust proudly signed it. We pledge zero tolerance for inappropriate sexual behaviour and commit to the ten core principles
Oxford University Hospitalspromotes a safe, respectful hiring environment.
If you want to make a difference with us, come and join our team. Together, we will uphold the highest standards of care and professionalism.
Job description
Job responsibilities
a) Clinical:
The Fellow will be expected to see new and follow-up patients at two OUHFT outpatient clinics per week at the Department of Neurology, John Radcliffe Hospital West Wing. One clinic will alternate between a weekly complex epilepsy clinic and a sleep neurology clinic. On one week per month, the Fellow will attend the Autoimmune Neurology clinic.
The complex epilepsy clinics will specifically train the Fellow in the diagnosis and management of epilepsy syndromes, offer experience in management of drug resistant epilepsy and enable the Fellow to take patients from clinic appointment through the entire epilepsy surgery programme.
All clinics will be discussed in advance and agreed between the successful applicant and their supervisors, to best match their sub-specialist experience.
The Fellow will be expected to attend the Epilepsy Surgery MDT and present their own cases for discussion.
Training will be provided in EEG and analysis of sleep recordings.
The Fellow will also be expected to work effectively with the Epilepsy Nurse Specialist Team (4 OUHFT trust-based) and provide advice on inpatient/outpatient management where appropriate.
b) Teaching and Research:
We will expect the Epilepsy and Sleep Fellow to actively contribute to clinical epileptology research. They will work closely with the Neurosciences research team to deliver on the breadth of studies encompassed by the Oxford epilepsy portfolio. These studies include device trials, trials of novel medications and qualitative analysis. The Fellow will be encouraged to deliver an independent research project and secure at least one first author publication during the Fellowship.
Contribution to the teaching of medical students and junior doctors will be encouraged. The Epilepsy and Sleep Fellow will be given opportunity to attend relevant meetings across OUHFT and University of Oxford throughout the Fellowship.
It is envisaged that on completion of the Epilepsy and Sleep Fellowship, the Fellow will have gained the necessary skills to set up a consultant-led Complex epilepsy service, in addition to acting as a research capable clinician at local PI level.
(c) Weekly Timetable; to be confirmed with supervising consultants
To include 2 to 3 clinics per week comprising 1 weekly complex epilepsy clinic, and once weekly sleep/epilepsy surgery clinic. One Autoimmune epilepsy clinic per month. Epilepsy MDT meetings epilepsy surgery once per month; epilepsy and neuropsychiatry once per month. During the Fellowship additional attendance at aligned clinics in neuropsychology, cognitive neurology, neuropsychiatry and paediatric epilepsy will be supported.
(d) Facilities for Study and Training:
Excellent library facilities are available at The John Radcliffe and at other libraries in the Central Oxford Hospitals.
(e) Additional Teaching, Audit and Research:
The Fellow may be expected to participate in teaching of the specialist registrars and occasionally other medical and non-medical personnel.
The post holder will be expected to demonstrate professional development within the post by attending relevant meetings and producing at least one peer reviewed publication during their tenure.
Participation in audit is required.
Job description
Job responsibilities
a) Clinical:
The Fellow will be expected to see new and follow-up patients at two OUHFT outpatient clinics per week at the Department of Neurology, John Radcliffe Hospital West Wing. One clinic will alternate between a weekly complex epilepsy clinic and a sleep neurology clinic. On one week per month, the Fellow will attend the Autoimmune Neurology clinic.
The complex epilepsy clinics will specifically train the Fellow in the diagnosis and management of epilepsy syndromes, offer experience in management of drug resistant epilepsy and enable the Fellow to take patients from clinic appointment through the entire epilepsy surgery programme.
All clinics will be discussed in advance and agreed between the successful applicant and their supervisors, to best match their sub-specialist experience.
The Fellow will be expected to attend the Epilepsy Surgery MDT and present their own cases for discussion.
Training will be provided in EEG and analysis of sleep recordings.
The Fellow will also be expected to work effectively with the Epilepsy Nurse Specialist Team (4 OUHFT trust-based) and provide advice on inpatient/outpatient management where appropriate.
b) Teaching and Research:
We will expect the Epilepsy and Sleep Fellow to actively contribute to clinical epileptology research. They will work closely with the Neurosciences research team to deliver on the breadth of studies encompassed by the Oxford epilepsy portfolio. These studies include device trials, trials of novel medications and qualitative analysis. The Fellow will be encouraged to deliver an independent research project and secure at least one first author publication during the Fellowship.
Contribution to the teaching of medical students and junior doctors will be encouraged. The Epilepsy and Sleep Fellow will be given opportunity to attend relevant meetings across OUHFT and University of Oxford throughout the Fellowship.
It is envisaged that on completion of the Epilepsy and Sleep Fellowship, the Fellow will have gained the necessary skills to set up a consultant-led Complex epilepsy service, in addition to acting as a research capable clinician at local PI level.
(c) Weekly Timetable; to be confirmed with supervising consultants
To include 2 to 3 clinics per week comprising 1 weekly complex epilepsy clinic, and once weekly sleep/epilepsy surgery clinic. One Autoimmune epilepsy clinic per month. Epilepsy MDT meetings epilepsy surgery once per month; epilepsy and neuropsychiatry once per month. During the Fellowship additional attendance at aligned clinics in neuropsychology, cognitive neurology, neuropsychiatry and paediatric epilepsy will be supported.
(d) Facilities for Study and Training:
Excellent library facilities are available at The John Radcliffe and at other libraries in the Central Oxford Hospitals.
(e) Additional Teaching, Audit and Research:
The Fellow may be expected to participate in teaching of the specialist registrars and occasionally other medical and non-medical personnel.
The post holder will be expected to demonstrate professional development within the post by attending relevant meetings and producing at least one peer reviewed publication during their tenure.
Participation in audit is required.
Person Specification
Qualifications/ Training
Essential
- Evidence of interest in a Neurologically associated specialty Adult or Paediatric)
- GMC full registration
Desirable
- MRCP, MRCPCH or equivalent
Experience
Essential
- Minimum 6 months NHS experience
Desirable
- General core medical or Paediatric training completed according to training requirements
Research
Essential
- Ability to undertake direct original clinical research in the neurosciences
Skills
Essential
- Leadership - ability to motivate and aid other members of the team.
- Organisational skills
- Good personal/interpersonal skills
- Able to take on responsibility and communicate within the team
- Basic computing skills
- Team working skills
- Good writing and analytical skills
- Good Written English
Desirable
- Evidence of ability to use word processor, spreadsheet programme and web browser
- Evidence of ability to write papers and present
Knowledge
Essential
- Good general medical knowledge at level expected of core medical training according to training requirements
Desirable
- Knowledge of the organisation of the NHS
Person Specification
Qualifications/ Training
Essential
- Evidence of interest in a Neurologically associated specialty Adult or Paediatric)
- GMC full registration
Desirable
- MRCP, MRCPCH or equivalent
Experience
Essential
- Minimum 6 months NHS experience
Desirable
- General core medical or Paediatric training completed according to training requirements
Research
Essential
- Ability to undertake direct original clinical research in the neurosciences
Skills
Essential
- Leadership - ability to motivate and aid other members of the team.
- Organisational skills
- Good personal/interpersonal skills
- Able to take on responsibility and communicate within the team
- Basic computing skills
- Team working skills
- Good writing and analytical skills
- Good Written English
Desirable
- Evidence of ability to use word processor, spreadsheet programme and web browser
- Evidence of ability to write papers and present
Knowledge
Essential
- Good general medical knowledge at level expected of core medical training according to training requirements
Desirable
- Knowledge of the organisation of the NHS
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.
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.
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).
