Clinical Research Fellow in Inflammatory Bowel Disease

University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust

Clinical Research Fellow in Inflammatory Bowel Disease

The closing date is 04 June 2026

This post would provide excellent training to be considered in the future as a consultant with an interest in IBD. The position would enable the successful candidate to develop skills in management of complex IBD (attending sub-specialty clinics, nutritional issues in IBD, surgical liaison and focused training in IBD specific endoscopy). In addition, the successful candidate would be expected to complete a major research project as detailed below and participate in the other aspects of our wide-ranging research portfolio leading to publications in peer-reviewed literature and presentations at conferences. In order to develop this opportunity, there is service commitment as a key element of the job:

Contribute to twice weekly IBD clinics

Perform elective endoscopy lists independently

Main duties of the job

The post would be based at Heartlands Hospital which serves the East side of Birmingham and has a large and ethnically diverse IBD population. You would be joining a team of 3 IBD Specialists (Dr Naveen Sharma-IBD Lead, Dr Sharafaath Shariff, Dr Efe Ejanavi and Dr Reham Ahmed). They are supported by a team of 4 IBD Clinical Nurse Specialists. We hold a vibrant weekly IBD MDT which is attended by dedicated IBD surgeons, IBD radiologists and nutrition support services. We also hold a monthly joint medical/surgical IBD clinics for the most complex patients.

There is a strong research collaboration with colleagues at the University of Birmingham and Queen Elizabeth Hopsital. We have been successful in setting up a unique clinical and research pathway for the investigation of and treatment of patients with newly diagnosed IBD. We have established a large inception cohort for rapid diagnosis of IBD. This has provided valuable research material for the interrogation of host immune and microbiota signals related to treatment nave IBD and will allow us to prospectively follow up patients and discover characteristics associated with treatment response and disease course.

The successful candidate would be expected to be involved in the inception cohort studies and other research strands that are established including commercial IBD studies.

Further details may be obtained from:

Dr Naveen Sharma on and

About us

University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust strives to have an inclusive culture where everyone feels like they belong, can thrive, knows that they add value and feels valued. We do this by developing compassionate and culturally competent leaders, being values driven in all that we do and by creating a welcoming and inclusive workplace that thrives on the diversity of our people. As such we want to attract and recruit talented individuals from all backgrounds, and for each of you to feel supported for the diversity you bring, to achieve your full potential. For those staff with a disability, including physical disability, long term health condition, mental health or neurodiverse condition, this also means being committed to making reasonable adjustments needed for you to carry out your role.

Job responsibilities

This will consist of providing five fixed sessions of service support in gastroenterology at Heartlands Hospital. The nature of the sessions (either clinics or endoscopy) will be dependent upon the needs of the clinical service. A small contribution to the inpatient gastroenterology service activity may also be required.

This is a full-time job plan (40-hour week) will be finalised on appointment in keeping with the service needs, comprising a high quality research project and on-call. A sample job plan is given below but may be subject to change. Clinical and on call sessions will be based at Birmingham Heartlands Hospital. The below job plans is an example, and the appointed candidate will need to be flexible with regard to working pattern.

Example Job Plan AM Research IBD Clinic (BHH) Research IBD Clinic Endoscopy (service list) (service list)

Qualifications

• Any basic medical qualification eligible for registration with the GMC
• MD or PhD in a relevant subject

Experience

• Nearing the end of a recognised training programme in gastroenterology, hepatology and clinical nutrition. Must be able to perform independent upper GI endoscopy and flexible sigmoidoscopy.
• Have completed a recognised training programme to consultant level (CST or equivalent).
• Independence in performing colonoscopy with the required JAG certification or similar

Additional Criteria

• A high degree of motivation and personal self-discipline.
• Ability to function both as a member and a potential leader of a multi-disciplinary clinical team.
• Commitment to an understanding of the principles of audit.
• An understanding of and commitment to research and evidence based practice in all aspects of medical care.
• Ability to manage applicants own time and work effectively, understanding of role and importance of management in the NHS.
• This post requires an enhanced Criminal Records Check
• Evidence of successful project completion
• Practical experience in running clinical audit projects.
• A proven track record in some field of research.
• Training in Good Clinical Practice (GCP)
• Evidence of management ability for example in organising and leading a clinical research team.

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.

University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust