Pleural PhD opportunity working in the Academic Respiratory Unit, Bristol

This post offers an exciting opportunity for a three-year (or pro-rata less than full time equivalent) research placement to undertake a PhD in pleural disease. The post would be suited to a Respiratory Trainee (ST3+) as out-of-programme experience for research (OOPR) during specialist training, or as a post-CCT fellowship. The post will be based within the internationally-renowned Academic Respiratory Unit at North Bristol NHS Trust . Successful applicant will have an staff contract with University of Bristol and an honorary contract with North Bristol Trust. The Academic Respiratory Unit includes specialist teams researching pleural disease, thoracic malignancy, airways disease, respiratory infection and interstitial lung disease.

The Academic Respiratory unit (ARU) is the UK’s largest academic pleural disease unit and consists of an internationally renowned team experienced in developing an evidence base using novel technologies and patient pathways to improve outcomes in adult patients. It has a strong track record in supporting career development. It has supported 4 NIHR Academic Foundation Doctors, 2 NIHR Academic Clinical Fellows, 3 Academic Clinical Lecturers, 3 Advanced Fellowships and 12 PhDs to date.  The ARU is worldwide epicentre in pneumothorax research, leading on two of the largest randomised controlled trials in pneumothorax research and multiple early phase clinical studies.

The post will provide training in research methods, alongside research supervision to support the successful completion of a PhD. The focus of the PhD will be the management of persistent air leak and will likely involve clinical studies on identification, quantification and management of air leak in patients with pneumothorax. Clinical work will be undertaken for educational and development purposes, and is likely to include the weekly pleural clinic and procedural work.

Main duties of the job

• Develop research skills around data analysis and interpretation
• Lead on 3+ research studies on identification, quantification and management of air leak in patients with pneumothorax
• Attend and present at academic conferences and educational meetings, nationally and internationally
• Write scientific manuscripts for publication in peer-reviewed journals
• Obtain a PhD in Respiratory Medicine through University of Bristol
• Attend lung pleural clinic and pleural procedural list
• Contribute to teaching, audit, and quality improvement within the pleural disease service
• There are no on-call duties or out-of-hours work associated with the post.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Job description

The post will provide 36 months of dedicated research time, with the aim of achieving a PhD in the pneumothorax management within the Bristol Academic Respiratory Unit (ARU) at North Bristol NHS trust. The research unit has led some of the most impactful trials in respiratory disease. You will be supervised by clinical lead Professor Nick Maskell, Dr Steven Walker and Dr Rahul Bhatnagar.

Nick Maskell is Professor of Respiratory Medicine and an expert clinical trialist at the University of Bristol. He has authored over 200 peer-reviewed research papers, has an H-index of 61. His research has been highlighted in international guidelines and led to many changes in clinical practice, and improvements in pleural patient care and outcomes.. He leads the Academic Respiratory Unit (ARU), widely regarded as one of the most influential pleural disease centres in the World through its delivery of patient-focused clinical and translational research.

Dr Walker is Consultant Senior Lecturer at University of Bristol  and North Bristol NHS Trust. He has lead of multiple pneumothorax studies and was recent chair of European (ERS) pneumothorax guideline.

The PhD will be focussed on investigating and managing air-leak in pneumothorax. More information about possible projects will be available on request.

Research Support

The post holder will be an integral member of the ARU with access to formal and informal research training. The post holder will have an honorary contract with Bristol University which will allow them to access further research training and register for a PhD. Whilst this is designed as a primarily research role there will be the opportunity to enhance clinical skills through engagement with the pleural disease teams. The clinical work will involve supporting the pleural disease clinic.

Learning Objectives

To undertake self-directed, original research leading to successful award of a PhD.

Educational Approval

Fellows will be enrolled in a full time PhD programme with the University of Bristol. Participation in clinical activities will be on a supernumerary basis and do not form a structured part of the programme.  However, there is scope to accredit a maximum of 1 year of OOPR towards clinical training, provided the relevant approvals are in place from the Deanery and ARCP committee.

Clinical Experience

The post would suit trainees (ST3+) in Respiratory Medicine seeking to undertake an OOPR. Alternatively, applications would be welcomed from candidates able to perform at registrar-grade who are in possession of full MRCP(UK) or equivalent, and who may be contemplating a career in Respiratory medicine.

Main Duties & Responsibilities Of The Post

You will be expected to be a fully integrated member of the Academic Respiratory Unit with a role within the pleural disease clinical service, attending weekly pleural disease clinic and pleural procedure list on a shared rota. The pleural service also provide ad hoc support for complex pleural inpatients. 

UK Home PhD registration fees will be covered. International applicants are not eligible for this fellowship.

Funding

The PhD is funded through University of Bristol, with a salary to match your current clinical employment for up to three years or whole time equivalent. While we anticipate that the PhD will be conducted full time, it would be possible to conduct the PhD part time.

How to apply: Apply online.

Apply online. Select “Translational Health Sciences” PhD programme and state in the application that you are applying for funding from Academic Respiratory unit PHD. (Maskell). Please ensure you have read our admissions statement before making an application. understanding of the background to the project and why you are best placed to undertake this research

Shortlisted applicants will be invited for interview in October 2024. 

Enquiries: Dr Steven Walker (Steven.Walker@Bristol.ac.uk) 

Closing date 5pm on 3rd October 2024