Clinical Research Fellow – Department of Inflammation and Ageing

Position Details

Department of Inflammation and Ageing, School of Infection, Inflammation and Immunology, College of Medicine and Health

Location: University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham UK

Full time starting salary is normally in the range £45,943 – £77,196

Clinical

Full Time, Fixed Term contract up to March 2029

Closing date: 12th March 2026

Background

The Medical Research Council (MRC) has recently funded a Four-year, £1.5M cohort study, that is studying the impact of e-cigarettes on immune and epithelial cells within the lungs of smokers trying to quit using e-cigarettes.

Smoking is the leading cause of preventable death worldwide, and a risk factor for many diseases. With an ageing population, the profound economic and health burden of smoking-related disease continues to increase. E-cigarettes are an effective, NICE recommended smoking cessation tool yet the long-term effects of vaping remain uncertain. Our short-term exposure studies have shown the deleterious effects of e-cigarette exposure on innate immune cell function (neutrophils, alveolar macrophages), suggesting potential harm from chronic exposure.

This project aims to address this knowledge gap by recruiting a cohort of healthy smokers aiming to quit smoking using e-cigarettes, to provide critical data needed to determine safety and to inform personal choice, public debate, and policy. This longitudinal cohort study will evaluate accumulation of toxins in the airways, changes in epithelial and innate immune cell functions during smoking cessation, by combining a multi-omic approach with whole-cell effector functions and characterise changes in the respiratory microbiome.

This vacancy is for a clinical research fellow (CRF) working as part of the Acute Care research theme in the department of Inflammation and Ageing at the University of Birmingham. The post will deliver a mixed job role working within the University of Birmingham as an MRC funded fellow (60%) and supporting the NIHR Clinical Research Facility (40%) aiding in the delivery of early phase and first-in-man clinical trials.

Role Summary

The post-holder will contribute to the creation of knowledge by undertaking a specified range of activities within an established research project, specifically an MRC funded Project grant EVALUATE. The CRF will lead on delivery of this cohort study, driving patient recruitment in collaboration with nursing team at the NIHR Clinical Research Facility, supervising and undertaking sample collection including bronchoscopic sampling of the lower airways and ensuring participant eCRFs are and clinical databases are updated throughout the study.

The post holder will benefit from the infrastructure and expertise in the Acute care team, as well as the track record of delivering patient cohort studies and clinical trials. This job share role will be integrated with a 40% job role with the NIHR Clinical Research Facility to support delivery of early phase clinical trials which require clinical support. This post is funded for 36 months.

The post-holder will be expected to register for a higher degree and will be supported to apply for further development and funding.

Main Duties

• To coordinate recruitment of patients, including patient identification and consent and performance of study-related procedures where relevant
• To assist with study set-up and obtaining necessary local and national approvals (ethics, MHRA) and contribute to site file and data management under guidance of the trials coordinators and lead investigators.
• To carry out a literature review of the topic area.
• To gain sufficient research data and experience that will enable completion of a higher degree (PhD or MD). To comply with the terms and conditions set out in the University of Birmingham’s graduate Programme of study.
• To contribute to the enhancement of scientific understanding of pulmonary inflammatory disease mechanisms in accordance with the aims of the project grant.
• To undertake prescribed research tasks and collection of research data
• To prioritise tasks within the agreed work schedule to ensure that projects are delivered in a timely fashion according to the timelines in the project grant.
• To suggest and contribute to the development of research techniques and methods in collaboration with colleagues.
• To contribute to writing bids for research grants.
• To disseminate research findings using appropriate and effective media such as publication, research seminars, etc.
• To provide guidance to other staff and students.
• To contribute to the production of research reports and high impact publications.
• To plan and develop research contributions to subject area using methodologies, critical evaluations, interpretations, analyses and other appropriate techniques.
• To participate in departmental and project-specific public engagement activities and initiatives

Required Knowledge, Skills, Qualifications, Experience

Essential

• Primary Medical Qualification.
• Full GMC registration
• Satisfactory completion of Foundation Training (or equivalent).

Desirable

• MRCP or equivalent.
• Relevant higher degree.
• ALS.
• Up-to-date training in Good Clinical Practice.

Clinical Skills and Knowledge

Essential

• At least 1 year of previous experience working in the NHS.
• To be clear, fluent and articulate in communication in English.
• Able to assess patients face to face and via telephone.
• Good history & examination skills.
• Able to formulate a working diagnosis.
• Able to order appropriate investigations.
• Image interpretation relevant to practice.
• Ability to manage common medical emergencies.
• Knows when to appropriately seek assistance from a senior colleague.

Desirable

• Experience and interest in the specialty.
• Neat, legible writing of notes and charts.
• Ability to perform basic general procedures, including lumbar puncture (although training can be provided)
• Experience in clinical research at F1/F2/ST1 level.

Maintaining Clinical Competence

Essential

• Maintaining Clinical Competence

Teaching

Essential

• Able to contribute to teaching of others in the clinical and research setting

Desirable

• Contribution to departmental training sessions.
• Some knowledge of learning theories.
• Experience of teaching undergraduate medical students & Foundation Doctors.

Clinical Governance, Audit and Research

Essential

• Experience of audit projects.
• Understanding of research principles.

Desirable

• Presentation of completed audit projects at local or national meetings.
• Organised or contributed to an audit project that has resulted in change.
• Evidence in participation in research projects.
• Publication of research in peer reviewed journals and presentation at local and national meetings.

OH and DBS required

The University is committed to safeguarding and we promote safe recruitment practice, therefore all associated pre-employment checks will be undertaken before any appointment is confirmed. Due to the nature of the work undertaken in this role all successful applicants will be subject to a satisfactory Occupational Health and DBS clearance prior to appointment.

Further particulars can be found here

Informal enquiries to Abbie Riley, email: a.riley.1@bham.ac.uk

Use of AI in applications: We want to understand your genuine interest in the role and for the written elements of your application to accurately reflect your own communication style. Applications that rely too heavily on AI tools can appear generic and lack the detail we need to assess your skills and experience. Such applications will unlikely be progressed to interview.