Clinical Research Fellow in Cancer Imaging

Job overview

We are seeking an ambitious, innovative individual with a specific interest in cancer imaging and/or colorectal cancers / MR imaging to work on the “Improving Outcomes in Colorectal Cancer with Peritoneal Metastases: PREDICT-PM (PRE-operative Diagnostic Imaging in Colorectal cancer with Peritoneal Metastases” study.

This research project will address a critical gap in the pre-operative management of appendiceal neoplasms. Whilst the Peritoneal Cancer Index (PCI) is currently the gold standard for assessing disease burden, its radiological application (rPCI) remains inconsistent and technically challenging. The primary objective is to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy, inter-observer reliability, and predictive value of a standardized CT-PCI atlas in patients with non-mucinous appendiceal adenocarcinomas.

The post holder will be supported with dedicated research time (40% of the role) by Dr Joe Mercer and Dr Rohit Kochhar leading the research project and accountable to the Radiology Clinical Tutor for Fellows, and then to the Clinical Director. Clinical duties will include oncological CT, MRI and PET/CT reporting, under consultant supervision as appropriate, Peritoneal MRI reporting and participation in Peritoneal Tumour Service MDT meetings. They will also have the benefit of working alongside a peer group of other Radiology Fellows, as well as close working with the Consultant Radiologist's

Main duties of the job

The appointee will be based at The Christie, Withington Campus. Clinically they will provide senior input to education and training in specialist cancer imaging, including sub-specialisms in CT and MR. The post holder will be supported in producing imaging reports and in further enhancing their involvement with specialist MDTs. Within Research they will lead project to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy, inter-observer reliability, and predictive value of a standardized CT-PCI atlas in patients with non-mucinous appendiceal adenocarcinoma.

The post holder’s routine clinical work will initially be closely supervised but they will practice increasingly independently as their experience develops during the year. In turn, the post holder will be able to supervise trainee Radiologists as time and expertise progress.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES The medical establishment consists of 27 Consultants, 3 Clinical Fellows in Oncology Imaging, 1 Clinical Fellow in Interventional Radiology and up to 5 Specialist Trainees in Clinical Radiology. The directorate also collaborates with 3 additional Consultants from other GM Trusts that support PET-CT reporting.

The Clinical Director has professional responsibility for medical staff and clinical responsibility for the Radiology service. They are supported by the Lead Consultants in CT, MR, US, Interventional Radiology, Nuclear Medicine, General Radiology, Clinical Audit and Information Technology and by the clinical tutors for the specialist trainees and fellows.

The appointee will be based at The Christie and will provide senior input to education and training in specialist cancer imaging, including sub-specialisms in CT and MR. The post holder will be supported in producing imaging reports and in further enhancing their involvement with specialist MDTs. Within Research they will lead project to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy, inter-observer reliability, and predictive value of a standardized CT-PCI atlas in patients with non-mucinous appendiceal adenocarcinoma.

The significant proportion of time dedicated to research will be supported by dedicated research time by Dr Joe Mercer and Dr Rohit Kochhar, and the successful candidate is expected to contribute to projects leading to scientific publications, as well as presentations at national and international meetings.

Teaching Commitment: The department is active in teaching radiology trainees on the North-West training scheme, with further commitments to national and regional radiology teaching. Medical student, FY/CMT and non-radiology ST-teaching is also supported. The post holder will undertake lectures and tutorials to medical and non-medical staff in collaboration with and independent of colleagues.

Multi-Disciplinary Team Meetings: The Consultant Radiologists support the provision of around 25 separate MDT meetings. The post holder will be expected to participate in MDTs, with subspecialist interests accommodated.

Clinical Governance: The post-holder will be expected to participate in all relevant aspects of clinical governance, including maintaining and improving protocols, the consent process, discrepancy reporting, guidelines and clinical audit in conjunction with the other staff in the department. In addition, opportunities exist to be involved with national audit programs of the relevant specialist societies.

Office and Secretarial: The Trust will provide shared office space with other radiology trainees and fellows. Secretarial support is shared between consultants and trainees / fellows.

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 Both part-time and full-time applications will be considered. The post will be offered as 40 hours per week, divided into 20 hours of direct clinical care, 16 hours dedicated research time and 4 hours of supporting activities; this will be reduced proportionally for part-time applications. An indicative timetable is described below (each session lasting 4 hours). Please note that an individualized timetable will be agreed with the Clinical Director, and the fellow supervisor. The exact timetable depends on the skills and desires of the successful candidate and upon the needs of the department. There is also the opportunity to do additional paid cross-sectional reporting sessions subject to demand.

Example Timetable:

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 currently require participation in the on-call rota. However, there is future potential for the introduction of cover for the on-call rota. This would not include night shifts.

Applicant requirements

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.