Clinical Research Fellow in Neurosurgery

Job overview

University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust is delighted to offer a fantastic opportunity to work with us.

Job: Senior Research Fellow in neurosurgery  Start Date: August 2026 Contract Type: Fixed term Duration:  12 months Purpose for Fixed Term: Training Contract

This post is appointed on a fixed-term basis for the primary purpose of providing structured training and supervised clinical development. While the postholder will contribute to service delivery, the overarching purpose of the post is to provide defined educational opportunities, supervised clinical practice, and experience aligned to the relevant specialty training curriculum

Please see below for detailed job description of the role.

Main duties of the job

This post is jointly funded by UHS and the NIHR CRN and provides unrivalled training in both clinical neurosurgery and the management and conduct of clinical research. The neurosurgery research programme at the Wessex Neurological Centre is the largest neurovascular programme in the UK.

This is an opportunity to learn about all aspects of clinical research ranging from trial design, set up and recruitment, to data collection and analysis. Successful candidates will be part of a team of 4 research fellows working different aspects of neurovascular disorders and will gain further support from the wider body of research fellows in the Trust. As part of this they will participate in the Wessex Clinical Research Network Clinical Research Fellows training programme and statistics courses and receive certification of this.

Successful candidates will be encouraged develop their own research project and pilot data. This will provide an excellent opportunity for those wanting to pursue a higher degree in a department with a track record of previous fellows successful in obtaining funding from prestigious national bodies like the NIHR to continue their work.

It therefore represents an excellent opportunity for someone wishing to gain an understanding of neurosurgical research for their future clinical career, as well as being the ideal opportunity for a candidate wishing to develop an area of interest to work towards application for a higher degree and an academic pathway.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

You will split your time equally between clinical care of neurosurgical patients (in theatre, on the wards and in outpatients) and supporting clinical studies in Neurovascular disease and traumatic brain injury currently recruiting at the Wessex Neurological Centre.

For an overview of the position, please refer to the attached Job Description and Person Specification document. This includes a detailed breakdown of the key responsibilities, role expectations, and the qualifications we are looking for. It outlines the essential criteria for the role and is designed to support you in preparing your application by helping you evaluate how your skills, experience, and professional background align with the requirements of the role.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION   Appointment will be made under local contractual terms and conditions of service for Trust appointed fellow doctors and dentists.  Applicants requiring Skilled Worker sponsorship should ensure they meet the Home Office application criteria prior to submitting an application.

Successful candidates will have an educational framework equivalent to training grade doctors, and there will be a named educational supervisor assigned at the start of the post. The opportunity for Continued Professional Development (CPD) is highly supported and encouraged by the Trust, with options available to take study leave.

Grades for Trust appointed fellows will be paid a basic salary at a nodal pay point linked to the grade, at the rate set out in the National Medical and Dental pay circular. Basic salary plus any additional remuneration (as applicable) for hours set out in the doctors work schedule (e.g. additional hours, weekend allowance, and any hours which attract enhanced pay)      Proposed interview date: 29th May 2026 This vacancy closes on or before  6th May 2026