Within the Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine (FoLSM), the School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Sciences ( https://www.kcl.ac.uk/bmeis)  is a cutting-edge research and teaching School dedicated to development, translation and clinical application within medical imaging and computational modelling technologies. Our objective is to facilitate research and teaching guided by clinical questions and is aimed at novelty, understanding of physiology and pathophysiology as well as development of new diagnostic tools and therapies. In this way, basic science can be rapidly translated into clinical applications (and vice versa). The School consists of eight research departments: Cardiovascular Imaging, Cancer Imaging, Early Life Imaging, Imaging Chemistry & Biology, Biomedical Computing, Surgical & Interventional Engineering, Imaging Physics & Engineering and Digital Twins for Healthcare.

 

This post is jointly hosted by the Research Department of Cardiovascular Imaging and the Royal Brompton Hospital’s Imaging Department in Chelsea. The School of BMEIS has worked in partnership with Guy’s & St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust (GSTT) to deliver specialist clinical services for many years. When the Royal Brompton and Harefield hospitals joined GSTT in February 2021, we became the largest specialist heart and lung centre in the UK and among the largest in Europe. Together, we provide treatment for people with heart and lung disease, including rare and complex conditions, offering some of the most sophisticated treatment that is available anywhere in the world. Our integrated approach to caring for patients from before birth, through childhood, adolescence and into adulthood and old age has been replicated around the world and has gained Royal Brompton and Harefield an international reputation as a leader in heart and lung diagnosis, treatment and research.   

 

The clinical research fellow in cardiorespiratory CT will undertake clinical and research activities focused on advanced cardiorespiratory photon counting CT imaging (PCCT). They will be under the overall supervision of Prof Amedeo Chiribiri, supported locally by Dr Jonathan Weir-McCall, and will contribute to the work of a small team of clinical academic consultants. They will gain experience in a range of cardiorespiratory applications that includes congenital and non-congenital heart and lung diseases, and care of cardio-oncology patients.

 

The post is suitable for Specialty Trainees in Cardiology or Radiology who intend to specialise in a cardiorespiratory imaging sub-specialty. This may be cardiac, cardiovascular, cardio-oncology, cardiorespiratory, or pulmonary vascular focused, with all interests welcome, although any appointees will be expected to contribute to the whole research portfolio conducted on the PCCT.   Applicants may have already commenced training in general Cardiology or Radiology and wish to gain more sub-specialty experience in Cardiorespiratory CT, by taking an Out-Of-Programme Experience (OOPE) from their current training programmes or have obtained CCT.  The ideal candidate would be looking for sub-speciality experience in cardiorespiratory CT imaging by seeking a year’s clinical research experience, allowing them time to write grants and apply for further fellowships leading to a higher degree (such as an MD or PhD) or use the academic work to further an application for an intermediate level fellowship. However, those looking to further their medical career through augmentation with advanced imaging experience and familiarisation with the academic environment are also encouraged.

 

This post has a significant clinical component including care of patients at GSTT. It is primarily based at the Royal Brompton Hospital but there may be a requirement also to attend other GSTT and KCL sites. The post holder will support at least six diagnostic imaging sessions per week during which they will complement their clinical role with recruitment to a range of research studies including PCCT components and also undertake data analyses tasks, such as spectral decomposition analysis to determine PCCT’s value in detecting a range of cardiorespiratory conditions. There will be up to two sessions of multi-disciplinary team engagements, with the rest of the time available for direct research and professional development activities, working on a number of research projects.

 

This role requires an individual who is highly organised, driven, ambitious, and passionate about improving patient care through research. They will be responsible for ensuring excellent standards of research governance and compliance with ICH-GCP (Good Clinical Practice) guidelines. The successful candidate will lead on the delivery of projects on a day-to-day basis, ensuring reporting deadlines are met, compliance with project milestones, and providing strategic support for ongoing development and sustainability of the School’s imaging research portfolio. To succeed in this role, the post holder will need a proven background in clinical research delivery and/or management, and experience of working in a multidisciplinary clinical academic environment.

 

This is a full time post offered as a fixed term contract of 1 year.