We are looking for an enthusiastic clinical research fellow to work with us in the molecular targets theme of the NIHR Oxford Health Biomedical Research Centre, exploring the immune basis of severe mental illness. This will involve working in a clinical setting, with people with early psychosis, in the Oxford Early Intervention service, where we will be recruiting participants and collecting detailed clinical information and biological samples, and also in a range of laboratory and research settings working alongside other researchers, exploring underlying immune mechanisms from a range of perspectives. The post would suit a F3 doctor looking to get experience of clinical research.

Main duties of the job

These will be working alongside other clinical researchers to recruit participants to research studies, both patients and healthy control participants.

Day to day administration of research study

Data collection, this may include biological samples, eg blood, CSF, microbiome or imaging data, as examples

Research data analysis and presentation of results

Developing research proposals, including ideas for new research projects

About us

The NIHR Oxford Health BRC provides the infrastructure required to translate cutting-edge scientific developments into real benefit for patients. The NIHR Oxford Health BRC 2022-2027 is structured into themes that build on the University and Trust's existing strengths. we can ensure that patients and their families are maximally engaged with research, and that basic science findings are translated into patient benefit as quickly and efficiently as possible. Early Intervention in Psychosis services are the focus for the BRC Novel therapeutic targets and biomarkers for psychiatric disorder theme, where we will be using biomarkers to identify, understand and treat psychiatric disorders.

In particular we will focus on the role of anti-neuronal antibodies and inflammation in first-episode psychosis (schizophrenia and bipolar disorder), in order to allow more rapid, targeted, and innovative interventions. We will also focus on links between the gut microbiome, obesity and psychosis and we will conduct targeted experimental medicine and early-phase clinical trials, to include immunotherapies and repurposing studies. As a first step, we will integrate EIS assessments across NHS and University partners to provide a unified, multimodal, evidence-based, approach to diagnostic assessment and management. This will serve as a model of best practice, help drive up clinical standards, enhance research opportunities for patients, and increase recruitment to studies.

Job description Job responsibilities

Current psychiatric drugs have many shortcomings: they can be less effective than hoped, side-effects are common, and are generally symptom- rather than disease-modifying treatments. Moreover, predicting treatment responses remains challenging. Through funding awarded by the NIHR Oxford Health Biomedical Research Centre 2022-2027 we will investigate and use immune and other biomarkers to identify novel antigens and inflammatory markers that may inform novel treatment approaches and precision medicine.

This post will work with Dr Al-Diwani and Professor Lennox to develop this work. There will be opportunities to get experience in research in multiple different settings, from the laboratory to the clinic and to develop projects according to particular interests.

For a comprehensive list of duties please review the attached job description.

Person Specification Qualifications Essential

• Medical degree

Desirable

• additional degree (Msc/PhD)

Experience Essential

• completed Foundation year training

Desirable

• psychiatry experience

communication skills Essential

• excellent written and verbal communication skills

Desirable

• research publication
• oral presentation

research skills Essential

• interest in clinical research

Desirable

• experience in clinical research

Any attachments will be accessible after you click to apply.

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