This is a two or three year clinical research fellowship which will enable the candidate to gain experience in early diagnosis of cancer and register for a formal research degree. It is likely that this will focus on early diagnosis of lung cancer, but the successful candidate will be able to influence the fellowship according to their own academic interest, in line with the strategic direction of the Royal Marsden and ICR NIHR Biomedical research centre. The existing research protocol is strong for radiomics and artificial intelligence of early stage lung cancer and incidental lung nodules and Dr Richard Lee has access to imaging and biomarker research resources within the RM Partners lung health check pilot and also the National (NHS England) Targeted Lung Health Check Program for which he is joint clinical lead. Key studies have included LIBRA, OCTAPUS-AI, NIMBLE, AI-SONAR, DOLCE, and DART/SCOOT.

Main duties of the job

The fellow will develop research collaborations with the ICR and/or Imperial College London. The project will focus on clinical and translational research predominantly focused on early diagnosis of cancer and most likely early diagnosis of Lung cancer. This might include research into prediction of the behaviour of early-stage lung cancers on the basis of computed approaches to lung imaging analysis, data analysis and informatics research, and laboratory analysis of early lung biomarkers or human factors linked to early diagnosis patient behaviours. The exact remit of the project will be developed by the successful student in collaboration with their Primary Supervisor (from the Lung unit team) and wider supervisory team (which will include one of the scientists/clinician scientists at ICR or Imperial). It is expected that this will be within computer science research at Imperial College London. There will be a mixture of clinical and translational research and the successful candidate will be expected to develop these academic links as part of an MD/PhD. The candidate will be encouraged if appropriate to consider seeking their own fellowship application to further their own career development.

About us

The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust has an international reputation for high quality patient care, education and research and its partnership with The Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) has created the largest comprehensive cancer centre in Europe. This role is based within the Lung and Early Diagnosis Unit, at The Royal Marsden (located at two sites - Sutton, Surrey and Chelsea, London), which is world renowned for excellence in clinical care and clinical research.

Job description

Job responsibilities

In July 2015 an Independent Cancer Taskforce published Achieving world-class cancer outcomes: a strategy for England 2015-2020. Within this early detection of cancers including some of the most common cancers such as lung and colorectal cancer was highlighted as a priority for potentially increasing cancer survival. Early detection and prevention of secondary relapse was also highlighted as another priority. Thereafter, the NHS Long Term Plan published in 2018 has set a national ambition to achieve an early stage diagnosis in 75% of patients with cancer through national work programs that include Targeted Lung Health Checks, and Rapid Diagnostic Centres Staff within the Royal Marsden work closely with academic collaborators at other research centres and national experts at NHS ENGLAND and the NIHR to drive such endeavours.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Eligible for full GMC registration
• MRCP or equivalent
• National training number (NTN) in relevant specialty

Desirable

• Trainee in respiratory medicine or medical oncology/clinical oncology with a lung interest or other relevant medical specialty to enable focus on early cancer diagnosis and depending on the proposed project area

Experience

Essential

• Management of cancer patients including lung cancer diagnosis or treatment
• Training at specialist registrar level

Desirable

• Undergraduate and postgraduate teaching
• Lung oncology treatment, or thoracic procedural experience, e.g. pleural and/or bronchoscopic techniques
• Other clinical experience that will enable or enhance proposed research project

Skills

Essential

• Ability and willingness to work within a multi-disciplinary team
• Ability to be self-directed and take initiative in educational/research activities

Desirable

• Previous experience of clinical research/trials and management of patients in clinical studies

Personal

Essential

• The ability to work in a team of different disciplines
• Commitment to participate actively in clinical research and collaborate in translational research of early lung cancer diagnosis

Desirable

• Commitment to bring novel ideas and contribute to expansion of research portfolio in early lung cancer diagnosis.
• Interest in pursuing a higher research degree (e.g. MD or PhD)

Other

Essential

• A desire to understand computed, radiomic and artificial intelligence approaches to understanding lung cancer evolution and diagnosis

Desirable

• Experience in coding/programming or radiomics/delineation of lung cancers on medical imaging

Employer details

Employer name

The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Royal Marsden Hospital

Royal Marsden Hospital, Fulham Road

London

SW3 6JJ

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282-CR1245930-MED-A