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 hosted within the Academic Respiratory Unit at the University of Bristol, with an honorary contract with North Bristol NHS Trust.

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 post will provide training in research methods, alongside research supervision to support the successful completion of a PhD. The focus of this PhD is pleural infection and is funded by jointly by an MRC-NIHR Efficacy and Mechanism Evaluation (EME) Programme grant and the University of Bristol.

Clinical work will be undertaken in a supernumerary capacity, 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 a multi-centre full-scale studies of pleural disease
• 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 pleural clinic and pleural procedural list
• Contribute to teaching, audit, and quality improvement within the pleural disease service
• There are no mandatory on-call duties or out-of-hours work associated with the post.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Job description

Post will provide 36 months of dedicated research time, with the aim of achieving a PhD with the title “Optimising management of pleural infection to reduce hospital stay” within the Academic Respiratory Unit (ARU) at the University of Bristol. You will be supervised by clinical lead Professor Nick Maskell, Dr David Arnold and Dr Steven Walker.

Nick Maskell is Professor of Respiratory Medicine and an expert trialist at the University of Bristol. He has authored over 200 peer-reviewed research papers, has an H-index of 61. 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 Arnold is Consultant Senior Lecturer at University of Bristol and North Bristol NHS Trust. He has Chief Investigator of several trials in respiratory infection including the ASPECT trial and the recently funded IMPACT trial. He has authored over 75 peer reviewed publications with an H-index of 33. He has secured research funding in excess of £5million and is currently undertaking an NIHR Advanced Fellowship.

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

Examples Projects (subject to change with discussion with candidate)

Co-Leading on the development and recruitment to the Initial Management of Pleural infection: Aspiration versus Chest Tube (IMPACT) trial  – The post-holder would play a key role in the design and recruitment of this multi-centre randomised controlled trial. This would be aided by considerable Clinical Trials Unit (CTU) support from Oxford University. The post-holder will be supported with mentorship from the world-leading Oxford Respiratory Trials Unit and will be funded to attend conferences and courses in trial design.

Leading the INTERMITTENT study– a European Research Society supported point prevalence study of pleural infection prevalence and outcomes internationally.

Development of biomarkers for diagnosis and prognosis in pleural infection- using samples collected from an existing biobank and those collected during the IMPACT trial

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.

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 (tuition fees will be covered by the department). 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 supernumerary 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. 

How to apply: 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 David Arnold (dt.arnold@bristol.ac.uk)

Closing Date: 5pm, October 3rd 2024