Clinical Professor of General Practice and Primary Care

As part of our commitment to the continued expansion of medical, pharmaceutical and health sciences at Bangor University, the School of Medical and Health Sciences seeks to appoint a Professor of General Practice and Primary Care to direct and further build on the established reputation of the North Wales Centre for Primary Care Research.

Bangor’s North Wales Centre for Primary Care Research (NWCPCR) is part of the Bangor Institute for Medical and Health Research (BIMHR). The group undertakes high-quality primary care research that impacts upon clinical practice and health policy. It is a core member of ‘PRIME’ Wales Centre for Primary and Emergency (including Unscheduled) Care (PRIME is the Welsh equivalent to the NIHR School of Primary Care in England). The combined groups in BIHMR have a track record of research excellence in early cancer diagnosis, palliative care, evidence synthesis, pharmacology, dementia and health economics.

The NWCPCR is comprised of clinical academics (general practitioners and a palliative medicine specialist), sociologists and health psychologists, who work alongside clinicians (both locally and across the UK), Public Health Wales, Welsh Government and with leading national and international researchers. NWCPCR also hosts doctors in training (academic GP registrars and academic Foundation Year 1 doctors).

Working closely with the NWCPCR is the North Wales Organisation for Randomised Trials in Health and Social Care (NWORTH), a fully UKCRC-registered trials unit which specialises in large-scale pragmatic, multi-centred trials in health and social care. NWORTH has a current project portfolio of 20 studies with a total grant value of over £32m.

The post-holder will deliver on our ambition to further develop the programme of primary care focused research, by leading NWCPCR and acting as Chief Investigator on primary care clinical trials delivered via NWORTH. The post is full-time (with re-charge from the NHS component), permanent and with a primary focus on research. There will be opportunities for teaching within the new North Wales Medical School.

We welcome applications from candidates with research expertise that complements or supplements NWCPCR / BIHMR existing portfolio of activities.

Candidates should be medically qualified General Practitioners with a higher research degree and have extensive research experience. Consideration will be given to other clinical academic backgrounds, where primary care research is their key expertise.

The successful candidate will be expected to commence as soon as practical.  The post will have joint appointment process with the University and the NHS with BMA approval.

This post is subject to a satisfactory enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service check.

This role will be located at either our Wrexham or Bangor campus.

Through our Dynamic Working framework, there will also be the option to spend some time working remotely (although remaining in the UK) to support work life balance, which will be discussed further with candidates at interview.

Interested applicants are invited to contact Professor Clare Wilkinson – [email protected] or Professor Dyfrig Hughes [email protected]

Committed To Equal Opportunities

Overview

Bangor University

Founded in 1884, Bangor University has a long tradition of academic excellence and a strong focus on the student experience. Around 10,000 students currently study at the University, with teaching staff based within nine Academic Schools. Bangor University’s research has been ranked highly in the Government’s most recent Research Excellence Framework (REF2021), with 85% judged to be world-leading (4*) or internationally excellent (3*). Bangor’s research in Allied Health Professions, Dentistry, Nursing and Pharmacy is ranked 15th overall in the UK. The University has been consistently successful in the National Student Survey results and is regularly amongst the UK’s top 10 Universities for student satisfaction (excluding specialist institutions).

College of Human Sciences

The College of Human Sciences (CoHS) has a track record of world leading research, teaching excellence and high levels of student satisfaction. The College provides professional training across a wide range of medical and health professions, in addition to a range of core foundational research activities which underpin the College’s Schools contributions to health research and research methods, translational science, psychology and neuroscience, preventive health, rehabilitation, clinical intervention, language and education, and human performance and applied physiology. In addition, CoHS boasts excellent teaching and research facilities.

School of Medical and Health Sciences

The School of Medical and Health Sciences is the focus for medical, health and care education and research at Bangor University. The school comprises of over 200 staff, delivering to more than1300 students with a portfolio of programmes that continues to expand. These include the University’s Welsh Government-backed flagship plans for a North Wales Medical School at Bangor University from 2024, and Pharmacy degree from 2025.

The Bangor Institute for Medical and Health Research (BIHMR)

The School’s research centres, organised within the Bangor Institute for Medical and Health Research (BIHMR), span primary care, clinical trials, health economics and medicines evaluation, ageing and dementia, public health and cancer biology. An important feature of health research in Wales is the Health & Care Research Wales (HCRW)-funded research centres organised around particular policy areas.

North Wales Centre for Primary Care Research

Bangor’s North Wales Centre for Primary Care Research (NWCPCR) is part of the Bangor Institute for Medical and Health Research (BIMHR). The group undertakes high-quality primary care research that impacts upon clinical practice and health policy, largely concentrating on early diagnosis of cancer, palliative care in the community, and systematic reviewing. It is a core member of ‘PRIME’ Wales Centre for Primary and Emergency (including Unscheduled) Care. PRIME is the Welsh equivalent to the NIHR School of Primary Care in England. The NWCPCR includes clinical academics (general practitioners and a palliative medicine specialist), sociologists and health psychologists, who work alongside clinicians (both locally and across the UK), Public Health Wales, Welsh Government and with leading national and international researchers. NWCPCR also hosts doctors in training (academic GP registrars and academic Foundation Year 1 doctors).

Purpose of the Job

• To lead and conduct a clinical research programme of an international standard, with substantial evidence of quality and international peer recognition.
• To gain significant funding to sustain and develop a portfolio of research projects and programmes.
• To contribute to undergraduate and postgraduate health and medical education.
• To undertake School and College leadership roles including leadership and development of the North Wales Centre for Primary Care Research.
• To undertake appropriate an appropriate clinical role as a practicing GP.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

Research duties will include:

• Leadership of research groups and evidence of facilitating, improving and inspiring the work of colleagues.
• Develop and maintain a portfolio of research activity, including clinical trials, through applications to research funding bodies and management of research projects.
• Senior authorship of research eligible to be returned at world leading (4*) or world influencing (3*) level for any future Research Excellence Framework or their equivalent, including academic publications and research impact.
• Supervision of PhDs to completion and contribution to staff mentoring.
• Significant contribution to the successful delivery of the University’s research strategy, and liaising with national organisations to shape the research agenda.
• Member of national and/or international committees and editorial boards.
• Engage in scholarly and other relevant professional activities.

 Clinical role:

• The post holder will be expected to become established in an appropriate clinical attachment for a Clinical Chair of General Practice within the first 6 months of appointment.
• An Honorary contract (Senior Academic GP) will be made available through NHS Wales.

Teaching duties will include:

• Contributions will be expected to support the School’s undergraduate and postgraduate teaching programmes across Medicine and Health Sciences.

 Administrative and Wider Contribution duties will include:

• Significant and sustained high quality contribution to academic management, planning, governance and policy formation at University, College and School level.
• Leadership of University/College/School projects which may involve interdisciplinary groups.
• Undertake an active and sustained role in mentoring, facilitating, developing and inspiring less experienced members of staff within the University/College/School.
• Sustain a high profile through external roles (e.g. advisory capacity to NHS and government bodies).
• Undertake other duties and responsibilities as directed by the Head of School of Medical and Health Sciences.

Other Duties and Responsibilities

• The post holder will be expected to participate, and lead as appropriate, in performance review and developmental activities under Joint Appointment arrangements.
• At all stages of the integrated job planning process we will working in partnership with the NHS as the provider of your honorary contract and the final integrated Job plan will be agreed by all parties.
• The post holder will be expected to comply with the University’s equality policies and statements, Dignity at Work and Study Policy and the University’s Welsh Language Scheme.
• The post holder has a general and legal duty of care in relation to health, safety and wellbeing and must take all reasonable steps to ensure a safe and healthy working environment for him/her self and for other members of staff, students and visitors affected by his/her actions or inactions. The post holder is also required to comply with all applicable health and safety policies, procedures and risk assessments.
• The post holder must comply with relevant legal and financial policies and procedures and be aware of their responsibilities in terms of the legal requirements of their posts. Where disciplinary/capability action is taken, either the Universities procedure, or the NHS’s procedures will be used, depending on which are most appropriate to the circumstances.

Person Specification

Qualifications/ Training

Essential:

• Eligibility to work in the UK as a general practitioner; including being on an NHS Performer’s list
• Be a Member or Fellow of the Royal College of General Practitioners or equivalent holding GMC registration.
• Be educated to PhD level or equivalent in a relevant subject area
• Have completed a minimum of 3 years substantial teaching experience for conversion to HEA Fellowship within 3 years of appointment or hold a PGCertHE teaching qualification (or equivalent) and / or HEA Fellowship recognition

Experience/Knowledge

 Research

Essential:

• Be a leading international authority in general practice and/or primary care.
• Have the expertise to establish and deliver a focussed programme of research.
• Evidence of a sustained record of lead authorship of internationally significant research in peer-reviewed journals.
• Evidence of success in securing substantial external funding in primary care research, from recognised research funding bodies.
• Significant record of management of research groups and a portfolio of research activity, development of research proposals and management of research projects.
• Extensive and sustained evidence of having supervised PhD students to completion.

 Desirable:

• Membership of journal editorial boards.
• Membership of funding committees.

Teaching

Essential:

• Experience of teaching at higher education level or equivalent with evidence of successful student learning outcomes.

 Desirable:

• Experience of innovative approaches to course design, module development, learning and teaching and assessment practice.
• Evidence of excellence in teaching (e.g. teaching profile, peer observation, student feedback, teaching award)

Skills/Abilities

Essential:

• Ability to lead research groups and facilitate, improve and inspire the work of colleagues.
• Ability to prioritise work load and work to deadlines
• Excellent verbal and written skills
• Demonstrable IT Skills as required.
• Evidence of external networking and profile-raising (e.g. advisor to NHS or government bodies).

 Desirable:

• Ability to develop and use online teaching materials

Other

 Essential:

• Demonstrate an ability to communicate clearly in English, conveying ideas and concepts both verbally and in writing to a diverse audience

Desirable:

• An appreciation of the bilingual context of health and care delivery across North Wales. If applicants are not able to speak / write in Welsh at present, there are many opportunities to learn if the successful candidate wishes to do so.

General

The University is committed to supporting and promoting equality and diversity and to creating an inclusive working environment. We believe this can be achieved through attracting, developing, and retaining a diverse range of staff from many different backgrounds. We strive to develop a workforce from all sections of the community regardless of sex, gender identity, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, trans identity, relationship status, religion or belief, caring responsibilities, or age. We promote and facilitate the use of the Welsh language through our progressive Welsh Language Policy. We comply with the Welsh Language Standards and are committed to equality of opportunity. You are welcome to apply for any job in English or Welsh and all applications submitted will be treated equally.

We are a member of Advance HE’s Athena SWAN Gender Equality charter and hold a Bronze award in recognition of our commitment to and progress towards gender equality within the University’s policies, practices, and culture. We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer.

All members of staff have a duty to ensure their actions are in line with the overall environmental aims of the University and minimise their environmental impact.

All offers are made subject to proof of eligibility to work in the UK and receipt of satisfactory references.

All candidates must meet the requirements of UK ‘right to work’ requirements *** If you require Home Office permission to work in the UK, or need to switch your visa status in order to take this job we recommend you use the following link to information about the routes into employment and to check eligibility requirements: https://www.gov.uk/browse/visas-immigration/work-visas

Please note that we are unable to employ anyone who does not have the right to live and work in the UK legally. When applying for this post you will be required to explain the basis upon which you believe you will be able to live and work in the UK legally on the commencement date of the role should your application be successful.

Candidates should also note that they may be required to apply for an ATAS certificate (Academic Approval Technology Scheme) from the Counter-Proliferation and Arms Control Centre of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office before being able to apply for a visa – https://www.gov.uk/guidance/academic-technology-approval-scheme

Please note that, in the event of applications being received from candidates on the University’s Redeployment Register with a reasonable skills match to the post specification, these applicants will be given prior consideration.

Disclosure & Barring Service

This post is subject to a satisfactory standard Disclosure & Barring Service check. As Bangor University meets the requirements in respect of exempted questions under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974, all applicants who are offered employment will be subject to a criminal record check from the Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) before the appointment is confirmed. This will include details of cautions, reprimands or final warnings as well as convictions. DBS checks will be updated every 3 years.

Candidates should note that the University uses an external Umbrella body to process DBS checks. As such you should be aware that, if successful in your application, your name and e-mail contact details will be shared with the Umbrella body in order that they may contact you to start the application process.