Summary
Description of research component of programme
The theme of the post is Mental Health, and the research work undertaken should fit within this theme.
This Academic Clinical Lectureship offers an exciting opportunity for qualified GPs who wish to pursue a career in academic research and work in a multidisciplinary research team. The Centre for Primary Care Improvement is embedded within the Institute of Applied Health Research, focusing on applied and translational research and research methods. Our comprehensive range of programs covers an array of critical areas, including the prevention of cardiovascular disease, respiratory disease, chronic disease prevention, endocrine and metabolic diseases, maternal care, lifestyle modifications, and behaviour change. There are also several methodological areas including qualitative methods, clinical trials, biostatistics, health outcomes, evidence synthesis, health economics, and data science.
To support our research endeavours, we've made significant investments in research infrastructure, with a particular focus on the Birmingham Clinical Trials Unit. This state-of-the-art facility encompasses a dedicated Primary Care Clinical Research and Trials stream and collaborates closely with the Clinical Research Networks (CRN) Primary Care spoke. Furthermore, we boast established global health groups that offer exciting opportunities for international collaborations. Additionally, we're proud to house the esteemed Centre for Patient Reported Outcomes Research (CPROR) within our institute.
Our research has had a profound impact on medical practice, with notable achievements such as pioneering epidemiological cohorts like BLISS in COPD and BETS in thyroid dysfunction. We have also conducted influential trials that have shaped national and international guidelines, such as TASMINH for patient self-management in hypertension and Lighten Up for weight loss.
The department has a strong reputation for supporting early and mid-career researchers – a fast track for both clinical and non-clinical scientists and is proud of the impact we have nationally and internationally through the activities of our trainees past and present. The diversity of our research interest means that we can accommodate most clinical areas of interest and our close links with the Defence Deanery mean that our academic GP programme is enhanced by military GPs too. We encourage our academic GPs to reach their potential not only in clinical and academic areas but to take opportunities with other organisations (. RCGP, SAPC).
Applicants will have a PhD and be either qualified as a GP or in GP training with a good track record of publications and conference presentations. They will have started to develop a research plan on their area of interest with some provisional academic links or involvement in the RCGP, or have undertaken supplementary education, research, leadership, or other academic training. It is hoped that the successful applicant will use the lectureship as platform for grant submission or applying for post-doctoral fellowships such as a Clinician Scientist fellowship.
We value our academic staff and the existing academic trainee programme across all specialties at the University of Birmingham is a lively, flourishing group who meet regularly for peer support and learning. We have nationally, locally and ministry of defence funded trainees working together under the supervision of clinical academic tutors to ensure a diverse, stimulating environment in which they are supported to develop their own academic career. Whilst the University of Birmingham already has diverse research interests, we welcome new ideas. We encourage ACLs to become involved in wider activities including participating in undergraduate teaching and assessment as well as the more generic areas of academic life . journal clubs and mentoring. There are plenty of training opportunities at the university including opportunities to attend Masters level courses in Research Methodology, Teaching, and Clinical and Public Health subjects relevant to Primary Care.
The University of Birmingham itself is a magnificent campus university and offers a host of attractions to clinical academic trainees. One of our strengths is the diverse nature of our collaborations with academics throughout the University and the city and its key hospitals and academic GP practices.
We encourage prospective applicants who are not familiar with the University to come and visit. Informal discussions prior to submitting an application are encouraged with senior academics, please contact Dr Brian H Willis