Description
This role is focused on the deep phenotyping and multimodal data integration of a large cohort of mitochondrial disease patients with the aim of identifying key determinants of mitochondrial disease severity and progression.
The factors identified through this process will then be assessed for suitability as clinical biomarkers of disease progression for use in clinical trials or for clinical prognostication. It is also envisaged that these factors will influence clinical trial design and allow patient stratification in future trials of treatment. You will be supervised in this role by Dr Helen Devine and Prof Robert McFarland.
An integral element of this role is supporting patient recruitment and maintenance of the Mitochondrial Disease Patient Cohort (MitoCohort) database, one of the world's largest, most mature and comprehensive natural history studies on mitochondrial diseases. In addition, you will be expected to complement existing research activities within the Mitochondrial Research Group (MRG) and Newcastle University's Translational and Clinical Research Institute (NUTCRI) including the Mitochondrial and Neuromuscular theme and Rare disease NUCoRE.
The NHS Highly Specialised Service for Rare Mitochondrial Disorders is a nationally commissioned service covering diagnostic and clinical care for patients living with mitochondrial disease within the UK. It comprises three centres: Newcastle, London and Oxford. Prof McFarland, the chief investigator of MitoCohort is also the Director of the Highly Specialised Service for Rare Mitochondrial Disorders.
You will attend specialist clinics, multidisciplinary team (MDT) meetings and educational opportunities including acquiring new skill sets such as performance of conchotome muscle biopsies. You will also have the opportunity to liaise with other mitochondrial and neurology/medical specialists and external hospitals in providing advice for acute inpatient care as their experience grows. You will also actively contribute to clinical governance activities such as audits, quality improvement projects and mortality and morbidity meetings.
The candidate is expected to register for a PhD study.
This is a full time, fixed term position available for the duration of 3.5 years.
Requirements
Knowledge, Skills and Experience Essential
Evidence of an interest in medical research
Commitment to a career in adult neurology
Core clinical skills, including phlebotomy and lumbar puncture
Analytical and problem-solving capability
Ability to communicate complex information with clarity, both verbally and in writing
Ability to work both independently and as part of a team
Excellent IT skills
Oral presentations at medical conferences/scientific meetings
Experience in neuroimaging and neurophysiological data analysis Knowledge of mitochondrial diseases (Desirable)
Experience in medical statistics or bioinformatics (Desirable).
Previous laboratory experience (Desirable)
A publication track record (Desirable)
Willingness to take on additional responsibilities, e.g. the day-to-day supervision of undergraduate project students (Desirable)
The ability to contribute to broader organisational and management processes and to provide leadership including coordinating the work of other staff (Desirable)
Willingness to travel within the region as part of the study as well as internationally for conferences/study meetings (Desirable)
Attributes and Behaviour
Ambitious and strive for excellence, with a demonstrable drive to succeed and to produce work of the highest quality
Conscientious
Enthusiastic and curious
Ability to work flexibly, and under pressure
Qualifications Essential
MBBS or equivalent
Full GMC registration with a licence to practice
Specialist neurology training
Previous research degree (MRes, BSc) or involvement in research publications.(Desirable)
Sub-specialty training in Mitochondrial Medicine (Desirable)
