Clinical Research Fellow in Hypertension and Dialysis

Clinical Research Fellow in Hypertension and Dialysis

Closing date: 05 October 2025

Overview

We are offering a Clinical Research Fellow position within the Renal Medicine department at Heartlands Hospital. This post is a research post combined with ongoing commitment to renal and GIM on-call rota. It provides an excellent opportunity to work on ongoing renal research projects, suitable for MD or PhD academic development. Our previous fellows have successfully completed their work towards a PhD at the University of Birmingham, and another is finalizing their PhD thesis at the University of Warwick.

Main duties of the job

• The Fellow will be expected to take initiatives in the planning of research, identify and develop suitable techniques for the collection and analysis of data and to conduct data analysis. You will be required to present your findings to colleagues and at conferences, and submit publications to peer reviewed journals.
• The Fellow will be expected to attend Renal departmental meetings (e.g. morbidity and mortality, journal club) and contribute to the educational rota (e.g. departmental residents teaching, journal club, locally delivered regional specialty trainee teaching and hospital grand rounds).
• Normal working hours are 9am to 5pm with a 1 in 5 on-call frequency and 1 in 4 weekend on-call frequency in the capacity of the renal and general medicine registrar.

About us

University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust strives to have an inclusive culture where everyone feels like they belong, can thrive, knows that they add value and feels valued. We do this by developing compassionate and culturally competent leaders, being values driven in all that we do and by creating a welcoming and inclusive workplace that thrives on the diversity of our people. As such we want to attract and recruit talented individuals from all backgrounds, and for each of you to feel supported for the diversity you bring, to achieve your full potential. For those staff with a disability, including physical disability, long term health condition, mental health or neurodiverse condition, this also means being committed to making reasonable adjustments needed for you to carry out your role.

Job responsibilities

1. Research Projects:
2. Pilot Study on Blood Pressure Measurement Methods in Dialysis Patients: Evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of home BP monitoring (HBPM), ambulatory BP monitoring (ABPM), and the Hilo device in patients newly starting haemodialysis via central venous line. This includes validating the Hilo device against established BP measurement methods and performing targeted echocardiography to assess left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH).
3. Assessment of Non-Adherence in Advanced CKD and Dialysis Patients: Validate antihypertensive drug screening in urine, haemodialysis fluid, and peritoneal dialysis fluid to objectively measure medication adherence. This study aims to better understand adherence patterns to improve blood pressure control and patient outcomes.
4. Pseudo-Randomised Trial of Blood Pressure Control in Haemodialysis Patients: Utilize the international DOPPS database and advanced statistical modelling to emulate a randomised trial comparing intensive and standard systolic BP targets, with cardiovascular mortality as the primary outcome. This approach aims to address key clinical questions quickly and cost-effectively, guiding future RCT design.
5. These studies will inform a future randomized controlled trial on BP targets in end-stage renal disease patients on dialysis. The fellow will also contribute to grant writing for this upcoming trial.

Person Specification Qualifications

• Medical Degree (e.g MBBS, MB ChB)
• Member of the Royal College of Physicians (or equivalent)
• ALS
• Full GMC Registration

Experience

• 12 months GIM training or equivalent
• Currently Holding NTN in base speciality (ST 4-6)

Additional Criteria

• Note the job is for 2 years initially, but may be extended on progress and choice of higher degree by mutual agreement.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust