Job summary
We are seeking an ambitious and motivated early-career medical oncologist, or individuals with an interest in developing a career in medical oncology, to join The Christie NHS Foundation Trust in partnership with Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute as a Clinical Research Fellow. This exciting Translational Research fellowship is focused on advancing our understanding of the progression and evolution of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma from development through to metastasis.
The appointed fellow will be primarily based within the Systems Oncology team at CRUK MI, working closely with the Rapid Donation Tissue Collection Programme to enable timely collection & analysis of pancreatic tissue, in collaboration with the Manchester Cancer Research Centre Biobank.
This project leverages a uniquely Manchester-led initiative: The Christie's Rapid Donation Tissue Collection Programme. This programme, unparalleled in the UK, allows access to fresh human pancreatic and metastatic tissue within hours of donation, enabling high-quality analysis all stages of PDAC development. We aim to determine the functional relationship of evolving PDAC & the desmoplastic microenvironment using state-of-the-art 3D imaging, histology & molecular profiling.
This role offers a unique opportunity to work within internationally renowned teams and contribute directly to translational pancreatic cancer research, while developing both laboratory & clinical research expertise.
Main duties of the job
This role offers a unique opportunity to work within internationally renowned teams and contribute directly to translational pancreatic cancer research, while developing both laboratory and clinical research expertise.
The successful applicant will also need to divide their time between research and a moderate clinical commitment; this may involve clinical research and audit activities, including protocol-writing. The post will be also based within the Department of Medical Oncology under the supervision of a consultant clinician. Within the department, they will coordinate patient identification and sample collection in collaboration with Medical Oncology, Surgery, and Gastroenterology teams at MFT. They will attend a weekly HPB and acute oncology clinic with flexibility depending on research priorities to assist in identifying research candidates, and to gain exposure to HPB medical oncology and clinical trials
They will attend appropriate clinics per week (a maximum of two 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. Will also spend time reviewing clinical data, writing abstracts/manuscripts, planning new studies and attending educational meetings.
About us
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.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma (PDAC) remains a devastating disease, with a 5-year survival of only 12%. Standard of care remains surgery with curative intent, however most patients (~80%) are diagnosed too late for curative treatment and are only offered palliative chemotherapy. Moreover, 2/3 of all patients receiving resection will return with metastases.The main genetic changes that drive disease development are well defined where most tumours have activating mutations in the oncogene KRAS and loss of the tumour suppressors CDKN2A, TP53 and SMAD4. Additionally, a hallmark of PDAC is the extensive desmoplastic reaction, where host cells, such as cancer-associated fibroblasts and immune cells, as well as deposited and remodelled extracellular matrix, takes up most of the primary tumour volume. Extensive pre-clinical research has demonstrated a functional role of this reaction, including driving the development of therapeutic resistance.
Importantly, while a lot is known about the tumour cell genetics and interactions with the desmoplasia in primary disease, much less is know about these aspects of PDAC both in early disease development and in metastatic disease. Improved understanding of tumour evolution both at early stages of disease development and in advanced metastatic disease is central to improving outcomes by improving detection and treatment.
This project leverages a uniquely Manchester-led initiative: The Christies Rapid Donation Tissue Collection Programme. This programme, unparalleled in the UK, allows access to fresh human pancreatic and metastatic tissue within hours of donation, enabling high-quality analysis all stages of PDAC development. We aim to determine the functional relationship of evolving PDAC and the desmoplastic microenvironment using state-of-the-art 3D imaging, histology and molecular profiling.
The appointed fellow will be primarily based within the Systems Oncology team at CRUK MI, working closely with the Rapid Donation Tissue Collection Programme to enable timely collection and analysis of pancreatic tissue, in collaboration with the Manchester Cancer Research Centre
Job description
Job responsibilities
Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma (PDAC) remains a devastating disease, with a 5-year survival of only 12%. Standard of care remains surgery with curative intent, however most patients (~80%) are diagnosed too late for curative treatment and are only offered palliative chemotherapy. Moreover, 2/3 of all patients receiving resection will return with metastases.The main genetic changes that drive disease development are well defined where most tumours have activating mutations in the oncogene KRAS and loss of the tumour suppressors CDKN2A, TP53 and SMAD4. Additionally, a hallmark of PDAC is the extensive desmoplastic reaction, where host cells, such as cancer-associated fibroblasts and immune cells, as well as deposited and remodelled extracellular matrix, takes up most of the primary tumour volume. Extensive pre-clinical research has demonstrated a functional role of this reaction, including driving the development of therapeutic resistance.
Importantly, while a lot is known about the tumour cell genetics and interactions with the desmoplasia in primary disease, much less is know about these aspects of PDAC both in early disease development and in metastatic disease. Improved understanding of tumour evolution both at early stages of disease development and in advanced metastatic disease is central to improving outcomes by improving detection and treatment.
This project leverages a uniquely Manchester-led initiative: The Christies Rapid Donation Tissue Collection Programme. This programme, unparalleled in the UK, allows access to fresh human pancreatic and metastatic tissue within hours of donation, enabling high-quality analysis all stages of PDAC development. We aim to determine the functional relationship of evolving PDAC and the desmoplastic microenvironment using state-of-the-art 3D imaging, histology and molecular profiling.
The appointed fellow will be primarily based within the Systems Oncology team at CRUK MI, working closely with the Rapid Donation Tissue Collection Programme to enable timely collection and analysis of pancreatic tissue, in collaboration with the Manchester Cancer Research Centre
Person Specification
Attainments
Essential
- Have completed general professional training (UK ST3 or above, or equivalent)
- Hold full GMC registration or currently be eligible to apply for GMC registration.
- International Academic English Language Testing System (IELTS)
Desirable
- Have been awarded MRCP (or equivalent) status.
- Evidence of published academic work
- Familiarity with biobanking, genomics, or preclinical models
Experience
Essential
- Have clinical experience in Medical Oncology.
Desirable
- Prior experience in oncology or laboratory research.
Personal Skills
Essential
- Strong interest in academic medicine and translational research
- Be computer literate.
- Pay meticulous attention to detail.
- Be able to work independently and as part of a team.
- Have a proactive and flexible approach to work, and be willing to undergo training and to learn new skills, as required.
- Have the ability to communicate effectively, confidently and independently with physicians, scientists, administrators at all levels.
- Have excellent organisational skills, with the ability to prioritise and organise own workload and that of others, and be able to work to strict deadlines, using own initiative.
- Strong interest in academic medicine and translational research
- Interest in pursuing a career in Oncology (Medical or Clinical Oncology)
Desirable
- Be able to use databases.
- Experience of statistical packages for data analysis.
- Evidence of commitment to professional development
- Have demonstrated commitment to the disease group.
Person Specification
Attainments
Essential
- Have completed general professional training (UK ST3 or above, or equivalent)
- Hold full GMC registration or currently be eligible to apply for GMC registration.
- International Academic English Language Testing System (IELTS)
Desirable
- Have been awarded MRCP (or equivalent) status.
- Evidence of published academic work
- Familiarity with biobanking, genomics, or preclinical models
Experience
Essential
- Have clinical experience in Medical Oncology.
Desirable
- Prior experience in oncology or laboratory research.
Personal Skills
Essential
- Strong interest in academic medicine and translational research
- Be computer literate.
- Pay meticulous attention to detail.
- Be able to work independently and as part of a team.
- Have a proactive and flexible approach to work, and be willing to undergo training and to learn new skills, as required.
- Have the ability to communicate effectively, confidently and independently with physicians, scientists, administrators at all levels.
- Have excellent organisational skills, with the ability to prioritise and organise own workload and that of others, and be able to work to strict deadlines, using own initiative.
- Strong interest in academic medicine and translational research
- Interest in pursuing a career in Oncology (Medical or Clinical Oncology)
Desirable
- Be able to use databases.
- Experience of statistical packages for data analysis.
- Evidence of commitment to professional development
- Have demonstrated commitment to the disease group.
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).
