appointment of chair/reader/senior lecturer (clinical ... · in cardiovascular medicine job purpose...

Appointment of

Chair/Reader/Senior Lecturer (Clinical)/Honorary Consultant in Cardiovascular Medicine

The University of Leicester

There has never been a more exciting time to join the University of Leicester. Our progress to date has been significant

and the new strategic plan reflects our ambition to raise the University’s profile and contribution to society on a

regional, national and international stage through excellent research and teaching.

The University of Leicester is a world-leading research-intensive

institution, focused on excellence and a belief in the synergy of

research and teaching. Founded in 1921 as a living memorial to

the fallen of the Great War, we received our Royal Charter in

1957. Today, Leicester is a university of some 20,000 students

and 3,800 staff. Our annual turnover stands at £250 million.

Our President and Vice-Chancellor, Professor Paul Boyle – formerly

the Chief Executive of the Economic and Social Research Council,

President of Science Europe and the UK Research Councils’

International Champion; is leading the development of a new

strategic plan which will take the University forward to even

greater levels of attainment.

We have enjoyed success internationally and are proud of our

research and teaching excellence. This commitment to high

quality and our belief in the synergy of research and teaching are

our hallmarks. We strongly believe that higher education is a

power for good and makes a significant social, economic,

intellectual and cultural contribution to the world. We empower

people to question, to explore and to make a difference.

We believe that inspirational teaching should be delivered by

passionate, research-focused scholars in an academic community

that includes postgraduate as well as undergraduate students.

We are successful because we are passionate about our work,

because we believe in the synergy between research and teaching

and because we engender a vibrant, tolerant and accessible

intellectual community. We are consistently one of the most

socially inclusive of the UK’s top universities with a long-standing

commitment to providing fairer and equal access to higher education.

Although our progress to date has been significant, we do not

intend to stand still and cannot afford to rest on our laurels.

The new strategic plan will reflect our ambition to raise the

University’s profile and contribution to society on a regional,

national and international stage through excellent research and

teaching. This will be underpinned by the development of

stronger partnerships in academia and the private and public

sectors, including partnerships with industry, a stress on

inter-disciplinary collaboration and strengthening our

world-class research groups.

Chair/Reader/Senior Lecturer (Clinical)/Honorary Consultant in Cardiovascular Medicine 2

Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Head of the College of Medicine, Biological Sciences and Psychology and Dean of Medicine 3

The University of Leicester

With a commitment to high quality, innovation and rigorous

academic standards, we are dedicated to finding new ways of

doing things and bringing new perspectives to established ideas,

without compromising on quality and maintaining our high rankings:

• 18th in the Times Higher Education Table of Tables.

• 24th in the Complete University Guide.

• Ranked in the top one per cent of universities in the world by

the Times Higher Education World Rankings.

• Ranked in the top 25 universities in the Times Higher Education

REF Research Power rankings.

• Ranked in the top 50 of the worlds’ most international

universities by Times Higher Education (THE), achieving 44th

position in THE’s prestigious Top 100 List, which is based on the

‘International Outlook’ indicator from THE’s Top 400 World

University rankings for 2014-15.

3Chair/Reader/Senior Lecturer (Clinical)/Honorary Consultant in Cardiovascular Medicine

College of Medicine, Biological Sciences and Psychology

The College is an interdisciplinary, dynamic and modern environment with decades of achievement. We are a thriving

community of academic expertise, with a track record of innovation we believe few can match. We offer a dynamic,

modern environment for study and research, built on decades of highly respected achievement.

The College has nearly 4,000 students in its three schools, which

cover the biological, medical and human sciences; approximately

1,000 staff, and an annual turnover of about £100 million.

We offer a wide range of courses and expertise, with our quality

recognised throughout the scientific community. As are our

achievements, which include the development of DNA

fingerprinting, vital advances in fighting heart disease, cancer,

respiratory diseases and diabetes and developments in forensic

psychology. Professor Philip Baker, the newly-appointed Head of

College and Dean of Medicine, is committed to increased

investment in our strongest research areas.

The Medical School was founded in 1975 and, following a

restructure, the College was formed in 2009. The College has

created the academic and physical environment to enable

scientists and clinicians to work together across traditional

boundaries to address some of the key outstanding questions in

biomedical research, and to engage with increasing effectiveness

with commercial and public bodies. We are a thriving community

of academic expertise based in laboratory, clinical, health and

social science settings.

We have some of the newest purpose-built scientific

accommodation in the country, including the new £42 million

Centre for Medicine – the largest investment in medical teaching

and applied research by a UK university in the last decade.

When you add to this the friendliness and resources of the

University and the city’s excellent facilities, you will understand

why we attract leading scientists here – not to mention some of

the most promising students from the UK and around the world.

The College comprises the following departments:

• Cancer Studies

• Cardiovascular Sciences

• Genetics

• Health Sciences

• Infection, Immunity and Inflammation

• Medical Education

• Molecular and Cell Biology

• Neuroscience, Psychology and Behaviour.


College of Medicine, Biological Sciences and Psychology

RESEARCH AT THE COLLEGEWe pride ourselves on the world-class status of research across

the College. Very successful collaborations between academics

and health professionals, locally, nationally and internationally

ensuring that we excel in our pursuit of excellence in biomedical

research. At Leicester we engage in profound scientific discovery;

for example the incredible development of DNA fingerprinting by

Professor Sir Alec Jeffreys and ground-breaking translational

research through the award of three NIHR Biomedical Research

Units and a CRUK Cancer Centre.

Our research is strengthened by the interdisciplinary research

themes:

• Cancer

• Cardiovascular

• Diabetes and Metabolic Medicine

• Genome Science

• Microbial Sciences

• Molecular and Cellular Bioscience

• Neuroscience and Behaviour

• Population Science

• Respiratory Science.

These have combined our medical and biological expertise to

drive translational research in a more integrated way than is

found in most universities, and there are a number of academic

and service units, including the Centre for Translational

Therapeutics, the GENIE Centre for Excellence in Teaching and

Learning, and the Centre for Core Biotechnology Services.

The College works closely with the MRC Toxicology Unit which

is located in the Hodgkin Building.

TEACHINGThere’s a real synergy between our research and our teaching

and learning activities, both of which enjoy top-class status.

We offer a wide range of study options at undergraduate and

postgraduate level.

Everything we do is driven by our desire to give our students the

best possible all-round university experience. We do this through

offering a wide range of curricular and extracurricular options and

activities, all of which are designed to develop a range of skills

that optimise our students’ employability.

A new medical curriculum will be launched in 2016, which will be

one of the most up-to-date and forward thinking in the UK.



JOB PURPOSEYou will join the University’s Department of Cardiovascular

Sciences, which is recognised for its outstanding research

extending from bench to bedside. The major research areas in

the Department are organised around three key themes:

• genomics and proteomics;

• cell biology and cell signalling;

• cardiovascular pathophysiology & clinical trials.

You will be required to develop and undertake a research

programme of high-quality and impact in the cardiovascular field,

and your research interests should broadly fit into of one of these

themes and have a strong translational element.

Whilst seeking to appoint at Chair level, the University welcomes

applications from strong candidates at Reader or Senior Lecturer

level who are able to demonstrate the potential to progress to

a Chair.

The Department also hosts a National Institute for Health

Research (NIHR) Biomedical Research Unit in Cardiovascular

Disease and holds British Heart Foundation supported Chairs in

Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery. The two main research themes of

the BRU are cardiovascular genetics and biomarkers, and novel

cardiovascular interventions.

This appointment reinforces the University’s strong commitment

to cardiovascular research, which includes the recent development

of a state-of-the-art facility for clinical cardiovascular research for

the Biomedical Research Unit, and the construction of a new

£12.5 million Cardiovascular Research Centre at Glenfield

Hospital providing additional world-class laboratory facilities.

The University has also recently received a donation of £7 million

from the John and Lucille van Geest Foundation to develop a

cardiovascular proteomics facility and establish a Research Fund to

pump-prime and support cardiovascular research.

The post comes with a start-up package, and the post-holder will

also receive substantial support for translational research from the

Cardiovascular Biomedical Research Unit. The post-holder will

hold an honorary consultant contract with University Hospitals

of Leicester NHS Trust, our partner NHS Trust, for clinical duties.

The development of this post is supported by the clinical Head

of Service.



ROLE RESPONSIBILITIES AND ACCOUNTABILITIESThe role is expected to contribute to research, teaching,

enterprise, clinical duties and administration and management.

The proportion of time spent on each activity will be determined

in conjunction with the post-holder at the time of job planning

and reviewed annually. However, it is anticipated that 10 per cent

of time will be spent on teaching (including supervision of

undergraduate and postgraduate students and fellows) and at

least 40 per cent of the time on research and enterprise activities.

RESEARCH AND ENTERPRISEYou will contribute to and further develop Leicester University’s

Department of Cardiovascular Sciences’ international standing in

cardiovascular research. Your research interests should broadly fit

into one of the Department’s themes. Whilst a specific theme is

not prescribed, we are especially looking for someone whose

research has a strong translational element and contributes to

the portfolio of research undertaken in the Cardiovascular

Biomedical Research Unit.

In summary you will:

• contribute in a significant and meaningful manner to the

Department’s research profile by producing research of the

highest standard that can be included in future research

assessment exercises;

• manage research projects within the University, including their

financial control and supervise research assistants and research

students;

• secure, in collaboration with colleagues, as appropriate,

external research funding through research grants or contracts

to support a well-defined research agenda,

which will deliver outputs of international excellence;

• attend and present research findings and papers at academic

and professional conferences, and to contribute to the external

visibility of the Department;

• publish research articles in high-quality peer-reviewed journals

and volumes;

• develop and explain the impact of your work to a broader

audience;

• develop and engage in enterprise and third mission activities to

the benefit of the Department, College and University;

• ensure that all research activities undertaken are in compliance

with the ‘Research Code of Conduct’ operated by the

University, and work within the principles of Research

Governance both within the University Hospitals of Leicester

NHS Trust, and the University, including the Data Protection

Act, patient confidentiality, and the ethical conduct of research.



TEACHINGYou will contribute to teaching appropriate to your expertise, and

the requirements of the MBChB and other undergraduate and

postgraduate courses and will supervise undergraduate and

postgraduate students including Fellows. The medical curricula

are integrated, and the structure and content is the responsibility

of a Medical School Curriculum Committee.

Teaching is coordinated by the Department of Medical Education

in consultation with academic departments. Staff may contribute

to lectures, tutorials or practical work in either the core curricula

or student selected Special Study Modules where appropriate.

In the case of the core curricula, staff will be responsible to a

relevant Module Leader for the content and nature of their

teaching.

• To give lectures, seminars, tutorials and other classes,

as appropriate in support of the required teaching obligations

and to supervise project work by undergraduate and

postgraduate students.

• To undertake academic duties (e.g. setting examination papers,

marking, invigilation and pastoral support of students) required

to sustain the delivery of high-quality teaching.

• To support and comply with the University and departmental

teaching and supervision quality assurance standards and

procedures including the provision of such information as may

be required by the Department or the University.

CLINICAL DUTIESYou will be offered an honorary consultant contract with the

University Hospitals Leicester NHS Trust with effect from the date

of the University appointment, for the period of occupancy of

the post.

The nature of clinical duties is negotiable and will be matched

to your clinical interests. Clinical duties will be undertaken in

UHL Trust, who will award an honorary consultant contract.

Appropriate office and secretarial support will be provided for

the clinical duties.

Duties will include:

• undertaking out-patient and in-patient clinical work;

• having responsibility for the supervision and training of junior

medical staff who work with the appointee and who are

involved in Higher Specialist Training;

• working with local managers and professional colleagues in the

efficient running of services;

• attending appropriate clinical MDT’s to provide input and advise

on further investigation and/or management.

MANAGEMENT AND ADMINISTRATION• To be responsible for the day-to-day running of your research

group and the associated laboratories and facilities.

• To be responsible for administration related to your clinical

duties, if applicable.

• To provide leadership in the development of the Department of

Cardiovascular Sciences by maximising the opportunity for staff

to deliver teaching and conduct research of high-quality.

• To sit on relevant committees of the Department and the

Cardiovascular Biomedical Research Unit and contribute directly

to the strategic development and direction of the Department

and the BRU.

• To attend departmental meetings and to participate in other

committees and working groups within the Department,

the College and the University to which appointed or elected.

• You will contribute to the preparation of reports (e.g. the

annual report of the BRU and the REF submission).

• To engage in continuous professional development,

for example through participation in relevant staff development

programmes.

• To undertake, subject to agreement of the Head of Department

and the University as appropriate, external commitments which

reflect well upon and enhance the reputation of the University.

• To ensure compliance with health and safety requirements in all

aspects of work.

• From time-to-time, you will also undertake additional

administrative tasks for the Department as allocated by the

Head of Department.



AMBASSADORIAL ROLEYou will at all times endeavour to represent your work and that

of the Department in the best possible way and raise the external

profile of research in Leicester. These activities include, for

example, presentations at national and international meetings,

and sitting on advisory committees and boards.

JOB PLANThe job plan will be based on the standard ten programmed

activities (PAs) of a consultant contract (with the possibility of up

to two additional clinical PAs offered by the Trust). No more than

50 per cent of the time will be spent on clinical activities.

However, in agreeing the split between academic and clinical

duties, the following principles will be applied:

• There must be sufficient sessions protected to pursue

academic activities.

• The clinical sessions must be sufficient in amount and content

to ensure revalidation.

• There must be sufficient supporting PAs to allow continual

professional development (on a pro-rata basis).

The workload model will be reviewed each year at the time of

appraisal with the Head of Department (or their designate).

The exact nature of the clinical PAs to be undertaken will be

agreed with the Trust within the job plan.

The job plan will be reviewed annually and any changes

mutually agreed between you, the CBU Lead and the University;

a first review after three months may be appropriate.

The importance of study leave is recognised and supported.

Funding for study leave will be based on the Trust policy at the

time of the request for study leave.

9Senior Clinical Academic post in Respiratory Medicine/Honorary Consultant

Person specification

QUALIFICATIONS AND KNOWLEDGE• MBBS or equivalent.

• Full GMC Registration/Eligible for Full GMC Registration.

• Licence to practice/eligible for licence to practice.

• Fully Accredited for Higher Specialist Training, or will be eligible

for inclusion on the Specialist Register for one or more of

Cardiology, General Internal Medicine/Cardiovascular Medicine

within six months of the interview date.

• MRCP or equivalent.

• Relevant higher degree (MD/PhD).

• International profile in research related to Cardiovascular

Sciences which is evidenced by publication.

• Evidence of effective collaborative relationships.

• A strong five year plan for research which fits into and

complements those of the Department and the BRU.

• A strong track record of obtaining peer-reviewed externally

funded grants.

• A record of training and mentoring research students and/or

fellows.

• Record of presentations of work at national and international

meetings.

• High-quality publication profile.

• Awareness of the requirements of, and commitment to,

effective clinical governance, with particular reference to

the specialty.

• Evidence of representation and leadership at a regional and

national level.


Person specification

PERSONAL QUALITIES AND SKILLSThe person most suited to this role will require the following

attributes:

Essential

• Willingness to work as a member of the Academic and Clinical

Team and share administrative responsibilities.

• Ability to influence others.

• Be able to lead, manage and supervise a research team.

• Clear, fluent written presentation.

• Clear, fluent and articulate in verbal presentation.

• Able to communicate at all levels of the organization.

• Experience in and commitment to medical and research audit

and application to clinical and research practice.

• Commitment to, and competence in teaching undergraduate

and postgraduates.

• Able to contribute to new structures in teaching via education

leads.

Desirable

• Awareness of service and academic development issues and

their impact on the Department and Institution as a whole.

• Evidence of participating in management issues.

• Ability to project the interests and achievements of the

Department/research theme.

• Knowledge or interest in or commitment to information

technology.

• Willingness to develop new approaches to teaching.

• The successful applicant will also have:

• Satisfactory enhanced DBS disclosure.

• Satisfactory occupational health clearance.

• Meets professional health requirements (in line with GMC

standards/good medical practice).

• Eligibility to work in the UK.


Living in Leicestershire

Leicester is in the centre of England, 100 miles north of London, 25 miles from Nottingham, 40 miles from Birmingham

and 70 miles from Oxford and Cambridge. Leicester is close to the M1 and M69 motorways, and is well served by the

rail networks – London is just 65 minutes away by train with four trains every hour. East Midlands airport and

Birmingham International airport are also within easy reach.

Leicester is one of the UK’s ten largest cities and represents the

largest economy in the East Midlands region. It has a bustling and

diverse atmosphere and recent regeneration (to the tune of

£3 billion) has made this cosmopolitan city even more exciting.

Leicester is famous for its diversity and offers an amazing chance

to dive into many different cultural celebrations. Leicester

celebrates Diwali (the Festival of Light) with spectacular lights,

stunning street parades and dazzling fireworks. It is attended by

35,000 people and is the largest celebration of the festival

outside of India.

The UK’s second biggest Caribbean Carnival takes place every

August, with amazing food, colourful sights and a real party

atmosphere. Leicester has a state-of-the-art Curve theatre and

the Phoenix Square is a brand new arthouse cinema complex.

De Montfort Hall has a diverse range of shows, including

mainstream gigs, jazz, musicals, opera and world music.

The city also hosts Dave’s Leicester Comedy Festival,

Britain’s longest-running comedy festival.

The city benefits from a large number of public parks including

Abbey Park and also Victoria Park which is adjacent to the

University. Leicester is steeped in history, dating back to the

original Iron Age settlement, which was to become an important

Roman trading centre with a commanding position on one of

Britain’s most important routes – the Fosse Way. The growth of

industry reached its peak in the great hosiery, textiles and

footwear enterprises of the 20th century.

Regeneration has swept away the old factories, replacing them

with innovative architecture and developments, new commerce

and fresh purpose. The industrial legacy remains, with such

names as The Cotton Mill, The Shoe Factory, and Fabric being

incorporated into stand-out property developments, part of a

massive range of new housing and apartment projects which are

at the very hub of the city’s £3 billion regeneration scheme.


Living in Leicestershire

Leicester is recognised as a creative city, having been ranked in

the past few years ahead of Nottingham, Birmingham, Newcastle

and Liverpool on a ‘Bohemian Index’ compiled by consultancy

group demos. It offers museums and galleries including the

New Walk Museum and Art Gallery, which houses Sir Richard

Attenborough’s unique collection of Picasso ceramics. The New

Walk Museum also has the largest collection of German

Expressionist art outside Germany, plus works by artists including

Francis Bacon, Hogarth, Lowry and William Dyce.

The University, working in close partnership with the city,

has been the inspiration behind two of Leicester’s most famous

tourist attractions. The award-winning National Space Centre –

the UK’s largest attraction dedicated to space exploration and the

Richard III Visitor Centre, which retells the dramatic story of the

University’s discovery of England’s most infamous King.

The city is home to the University of Leicester and De Montfort

University as well as various further education colleges and

excellent public and private schools. During term time students

make up nearly 15 per cent of the city’s population. Leicester is

well-known as a sporting capital – hosting the country’s best

supported rugby team the Leicester Tigers as well as Leicester

City Football Club and Leicestershire County Cricket Club.

On Leicester’s doorstep is the National Forest, offering walkways,

adventure activities and some of the most impressive landscapes

in the region, including the Charnwood Forest and Swithland

Reservoirs. Other attractions in Leicestershire include Belvoir

Castle near Melton Mowbray and the historic Bosworth

Battlefield where King Richard III lost his life. To the east, within

easy commuting distance, is one of the most tranquil areas of

English countryside, boasting a host of traditional villages and

Rutland water, which is one of the largest man-made reservoirs

in Europe and supports a wide range of water sports.

Leicester and the surrounding region offer a wide choice of

property to buy or rent. In the city itself, there is a diverse mix of

flats and apartments. Both new and older properties, including

substantial homes, can be found in leafy parts of Leicester within

easy reach of the University. Alternatively, there is property

available in the attractive villages and market towns in

Leicestershire and Rutland such as Market Harborough and

Oakham. House prices are markedly less than those in London.


The University will be supported in this recruitment process by the

executive search firm Perrett Laver.

The closing date for receipt of applications is 12.00 midday,

Monday 26th October, 2015.

Further information, including details of how to apply, can be

downloaded at www.perrettlaver.com/candidates quoting

reference 2250. For informal enquiries, please contact

Dr Massimiliano Fiore via +44 (0) 207 340 6237 or

[email protected]

Please note these dates are indicative and may be subject to change.

A shortlist meeting will be held during the week commencing

2nd November 2015.

Campus visits and meetings with the Head of College and Head

of Department/Theme Lead will be held during the week

commencing 2nd November 2015.

Panel interviews are planned for the second half of November/

early December.

Please indicate in your covering email if you have difficulties with

any of these dates.

Appointment process and how to apply


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