Research Fellow in Structural Cardiology

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Research Fellow in Structural Cardiology

The closing date is 20 March 2026

A full time post as Research Fellow in Structural Interventional Cardiology is available now at the John Radcliffe Hospital. This post is suitable for candidates who have already commenced training in Interventional or Imaging Cardiology and are at SpR level.

Applications are invited from established trainees who are undertaking interventional or imaging training and want to gain experience in clinical research in the field. The appointment is whole time, and Full GMC registration is required.

Main duties of the job

This post is tailored for candidates with an interest in academic medicine and clinical trial and outcome methodology. The successful applicant will lead and contribute to a robust portfolio of clinical research focusing on outcomes in transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) and transcatheter mitral/tricuspid intervention, e.g. edge to edge repair (TEER). The post is tailored for candidates who have not yet undertaken a period of formal research training (MD/Ph) who may use this post to develop and apply for an externally funded fellowship.

While the role provides exposure to structural procedures and advanced cardiac imaging (echocardiography and CT) to facilitate data collection and analysis, the primary focus is the delivery of high impact publications and the presentation of findings at international conferences. This is a dedicated research position and is not an approved clinical training post.

Candidates are welcome to contact Dr Tom Cahill, Consultant Cardiologist or Professor Raj Kharbanda, Consultant Cardiologist. It is preferred that any contact is made after shortlisting.

About us

Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is one of the largest NHS teaching trusts in the country. It provides a wide range of general and specialist clinical services and is a base for medical education, training and research. The Trust comprises four hospitals - the John Radcliffe Hospital, Churchill Hospital and Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre in Headington and the Horton General Hospital in Banbury.

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If you want to make a difference with us, come and join our team. Together, we will uphold the highest standards of care and professionalism.

Job responsibilities

Aims and Responsibilities of the Post

• The primary aim of this post is to provide comprehensive experience in the academic aspects of Structural Interventional Cardiology. A core responsibility involves the coordination and conduct of new and existing studies including observational research using existing datasets, and commercially sponsored clinical trials.

Research Focus

• The successful candidate will lead a dedicated research portfolio focused on the evolution of TAVI and mitral/tricuspid interventions (such as TEER). A central pillar of this role is the synthesis of large scale evidence to answer critical questions regarding procedural safety, long term durability, and patient selection.

The Research Fellow will be responsible for:

• Dataset Integration: Leveraging existing local Oxford databases, national registries such as NICOR, and data from commercially sponsored clinical trials to work on clinical projects.
• Project Development: Designing and executing original research protocols, from hypothesis generation to statistical analysis, focusing on real world outcomes in structural heart disease.
• Comparative Analysis: Utilizing multi modality data including advanced CT and echocardiographic parameters to evaluate the efficacy of emerging aortic, mitral and tricuspid therapies against established surgical and medical standards.
• Academic Output: Translating these data driven insights into high impact manuscripts for peer reviewed journals and presenting findings at major international congresses (e.g., EuroPCR, TCT, ESC).

Training and Output

• This post is designed for trainees who are undertaking time out of a training program and wish to focus on high impact research output, prior to undertaking a higher degree (MD/PhD). Active leadership in clinical research is an integral part of the post, alongside technical training in the interpretation of cardiac imaging (specifically echocardiography and CT) to support research analysis.

Person Specification Qualifications/Training

• Higher Medical Degree
• Enrolment within a cardiology speciality training programme

Experience

• Undertaking speciality training in cardiology
• Interest in research with publications

Skills and Knowledge

• Sufficient leadership
• Undertake effectively the role of research fellow in a large teaching hospital
• Good personal and interpersonal skills
• Good spoken and written English. Communication skills should be highly developed.
• Experience of teaching undergraduates and trainees
• Experience of routine clinical audit
• Knowledge of the organisation of the NHS and the Government's agenda for its modernisation
• Research analysis skills
• Management training and experience

Other requirements

• GMC registration or equivalent
• Transport

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.

Address

Oxford Heart Centre, John Radcliffe Hospital