Cancer Subspecialty Lead - West of England

Please note this is a rolling advert that will be updated regularly to reflect current vacancies.

We are looking for subspecialty leads in a number of cancer specialties. The subspecialty leads work with the Local Clinical Research Network’s (LCRN) Local Specialty Research Lead and Research Delivery Manager (RDM) to have oversight of the local portfolio of research, as well as linking in with their peers nationally to ensure this is done within the context of the national research landscape. Subspecialty leads are invited to join national meetings on a rotational basis, with approximately 2 meetings per specialty per year.

We currently have vacancies for:

• Children and Young People's Cancer Subspecialty Group - Paeds
• Children and Young People's Cancer Subspecialty Group - TYA

The initial round of applications for this post will be reviewed on 04/12/2023

To find out more about the roles please contact Claire Matthews (Assistant RDM) or Helen Winter/Claire Newton (Local Specialty Research Leads).

Applications can be made by sending an expression of interest outlining your suitability for the role along with your CV to Claire Matthews.

Context

The studies comprising the NIHR Clinical Research Network's (LCRN) portfolio have been assigned to 30 Specialties each of which is led by a National Specialty Lead and each of the 15 LCRNs have appointed a Local Clinical Specialty Lead for most, if not all of the 30 Specialties. The Local Clinical Specialty Leads work with the relevant LCRN Divisional Clinical Leads and LCRN Clinical Director to develop local communities of practice, engaging with clinical researchers working in their specialty across the LCRN to promote the delivery of the local research portfolio, improve patient access to research and act as local champions for their specialty.

As part of a national network of NIHR CRN leaders, subspecialty leads play an important role in driving the cancer clinical research agenda in CRN West of England (WE). Leaders will be expected to be high-profile ambassadors for the NIHR. As well as a passion for bringing clinical research opportunities to patients, leaders require an in-depth understanding of how the local NHS functions, an ability to forge and maintain productive partnerships across organisational boundaries, and the tenacity to deliver stretching targets in challenging environments.

This guidance has been prepared to clarify the role of the Cancer Subspecialty Leads and help to make a success of the role. The Subspecialty lead role is unfunded in CRN WE.

Some activities that may be undertaken include:

1. Receive reports and review regional portfolio activity for the subspecialty on a monthly basis.
2. Provide expertise to the Cancer Leadership Group in the subspecialty area, attending and reporting to Subspecialty Group Meetings.
3. Provide research leadership to the relevant network cancer groups (NCGs), assisting with provision of up to date research information to the strategic clinical network for dissemination to the NCGs. At least once a year, to attend each NCG meeting to discuss the subspecialty research portfolio, current and planned activity.
4. Working with the Division 1 RDM (Research Delivery Manager), to create, review and update a subspecialty research studies organisational chart, to be shared with all NCG members.
5. Have oversight of the subspecialty study portfolio and RAG reports, providing local intelligence to the Division 1 RDM and Leadership team to assist with performance management
6. Work with the Division 1RDMandothermembersoftheCRN WE Leadership team to facilitate the delivery of research within the subspecialty across the region. Examples of relevant activities here may include:
   1. Identify up-coming studies in order to ensure efficient study set up
   2. Review the national subspecialty portfolio to seek new studies that may be adopted within the region
   3. Liaise with investigators in the region to address support needs for new portfolio studies
   4. Contribute to discussions about study feasibility, particularly when a clinical perspective is needed
7. Work to increase commercial activity within the subspecialty, being a point of contact for the CRN Industry manager to channel feasibility requests to appropriate clinicians across the region and encouraging responses.
8. Lead a regional review of subspecialty research activity, supported by the Division 1 RDM. The format for this review may vary and may take the form of a teleconference, stand alone face-to-face meeting or may be integrated into NCG meetings.
9. Promote patient, carer and public involvement in research and work with lay members within the subspecialty group.