Clinical Research Associate in Gastroenterology

Role Summary

The RDUH gastroenterology group is seeking an enthusiastic Clinical Research Associate to work with Dr Tariq Ahmad, Dr Nick Kennedy and their team at the RDUH. The research post offers an exciting opportunity to work within an established group that combines clinical and academic research expertise. You will undertake research as part of the recently launched programme Open-IBD: A longitudinal multi-omics inception cohort in inflammatory bowel disease, funded by Open Targets.

Open-IBD aims to identify molecular, cellular, microbial and viral biomarkers for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) susceptibility and progression by recruiting and following a large cohort of newly diagnosed IBD patients over the course of four years. This multi-centre project plans to achieve this by collecting whole blood and stool samples at diagnosis and subsequent regular intervals, in addition to collecting gut biopsies at diagnosis and one year. By analysing this data, we aim to identify and nominate causal factors driving IBD pathology and impacting on drug responsiveness, thus enhancing our ability to provide individualised treatment to patients and better understand natural history of the disease.

The post will provide funding to complete either a PhD or MD undertaking research that helps deliver Open-IBD. The role will be central to the success of Open-IBD and will involve protocol design and study set up, development of sample collection standard operating procedures and collection of clinical data plus biosamples. Training in research methodology and clinical informatics will be provided from a network of computational researchers at Newcastle University and the Wellcome Sanger Institute.

The postholder will help to establish, deliver and study the impact of a weekly inception recruitment clinic based at the Royal Devon University Healthcare Trust in conjunction with the clinical IBD team to identify, diagnose and recruit patients with possible and confirmed new diagnoses of IBD. The research focus will also be to define the bacterial microbiome at the time of IBD diagnosis and associations of disease progression in the first months.

The weekly timetable will include up to 2 sessions of clinical care per week lead to recruitment of research participants from the inception clinic, dealing with clinical results and admin, sampling at endoscopy lists and attendance at multidisciplinary team meetings. The remainder of the week will be research based including study set up, cohort management, wet lab work (DNA/RNA extraction, sequencing, qPCR, culture) and dry lab work including large dataset handling, curation and analysis.

You will be responsible for formulating a research plan, developing collaborations internally and externally to develop your skills and prosecute the research, in conjunction with your PhD/MD supervisory team. You will develop the methodology, techniques, equipment and analysis techniques necessary for the work; consent and screen participants; and undertake the research activities. You will write up your findings for presentation at international conferences, publication in peer reviewed journals and your thesis.

This post is fixed term for 3 years. For informal enquiries please contact Dr Tariq Ahmad / Dr Nick Kennedy: 

About the Role

For more information on the Job Description and Responsibilities please click the link below.

For further information please contact:  Dr Tariq Ahmad on As an inclusive employer, the Royal Devon values diversity and is committed to creating a culture of inclusivity where everyone can be themselves and reach their full potential. We believe in fostering a sense of belonging and actively encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds, cultures, and abilities. We recognise the advantages of having a diverse workforce that reflects the communities we serve.

Preference will be given to staff with ‘Priority’ and 'At Risk' status including NHS At Risk staff throughout Devon.

The Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust reserves the right to close vacancy when sufficient applications have been received.

The Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust was established in April 2, bringing together the expertise of both the Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Foundation Trust  and  Northern Devon Healthcare NHS Trust.

About Us

Stretching across Northern, Eastern and Mid Devon, we have a workforce of over , staff, making us the largest employer in Devon. Our core services, which we provide to more than , people, cover more than 2, square miles across Devon, while some of our specialist services cover the whole of the peninsula, extending our reach as far as Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.

We deliver a wide range of emergency, specialist and general medical services through North Devon District Hospital and the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital (Wonford). Alongside our two acute hospitals, we provide integrated health and social care services across a variety of settings, including community inpatient hospitals, outpatient clinics, and within people’s own homes. We also offer primary care services, a range of specialist community services, and Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARC).

Our state-of-the-art equipment, leading technologies and strong links to local universities put us at the forefront of research and innovations, enabling us to provide world-class care to our local communities.

Our values are at the heart of everything we do, click here to find out more

It has never been a more exciting time to join the Royal Devon, as you will help to shape our services as we continue along our integration journey.

Benefits

Looking after you is important to us.

We strive to help our staff create a healthy work-life balance through flexible working schemes and our family friendly policies.

If you are starting out in the NHS, you’ll start with days paid annual leave (plus bank holidays), rising to days plus bank holidays depending on grade and years of service.

You will benefit from access to our own comprehensive occupational health services, including counselling, onsite wellbeing activities and groups.

We will work together to maintain a culture that develops and supports you and your team.

This might include funding for a care certificate, a degree or leadership qualifications. Or it might include days off to study, engage in CPD or rotational placements to help you hone your skills. Wherever you are heading in the NHS, we will help you get there.

Salary is not the only financial benefit

You will have access to an extensive range of staff discounts on shopping, fitness and leisure options and you can spread the cost of technology and home appliance purchases from major retailers. You will also have access to other benefits including:

These are just a few of the benefits available – if the role is something you are interested in, we would love to hear from you.