Research Fellow for Guy’s Cancer Real World Evidence – INTERNAL ONLY

THIS VACANCY IS OPEN TO INTERNAL APPLICANTS ONLY

Guy’s Cancer Real World Evidence is a collaboration between clinicians at Guy’s and St Thomas’ Trust (GSTT) and epidemiologists at King’s College London, using anonymised routinely collected clinical patient data to guide quality improvement/research and patient care.   

Following the outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 our partnership accelerated. Harnessing academic research and clinical analytics, we prioritised rapid high-quality data collection ensuring findings directly influenced local care pathways and (inter)national policy. No academic or NHS institution could deliver this work alone – hence this analytics partnership has proven to be of high value for both the patients and staff of our NHS Trust.  

The successful applicant responsibilities will include providing support to users for all aspects related to clinical cancer research databases. As part of their support role, the successful applicant will be responsible for providing training and guidance to empower researchers to plan, implement, use and manage databases. The support will include the development, testing, maintenance and administration of research databases on exiting platforms (e.g. REDCap). 

They will also be responsible to ensure that the established Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) are being followed and to ensure that data are collected, stored and managed in full compliance with all relevant legal and regulatory requirements (including the General Data Protection Regulation, The Human Tissue act, etc.), as well as all local and research Regulations (Ethics Board Approvals, Good Clinical Practice guidelines, etc.). They will be responsible for coordinating the data management activities within the Comprehensive Cancer Centre and with external entities such as GSTT IT or information compliance.  

The post holder will have regular communications with clinicians, senior researchers, clinical trial managers, and statisticians to ensure that the managed database systems provide the data required to support translational research. They will ensure senior research staff are aware of data management issues which may affect their research programmes. The post holder will work closely with the research teams to ensure that provided solutions meets the needs of the teams. 

The post holder will be working on several projects at any one time and will be expected to manage expectations from end users and implement creative time management skills. 

This job description reflects the core activities of the role and as the College and the post-holder develop there will inevitably be changes in the emphasis of duties. It is expected that the post-holder recognises this and adopt a flexible approach to work and be willing to participate in training and to perform any other duties as may be requested from time to time commensurate with grade. 

The post-holder will also: 

–        act in a manner that will promote a positive image of the College and the Hospitals at all times. 

–        observe the College’s Equal Opportunities Policy. 

–        be required to work irregular hours in accordance with the needs of the role. 

keep information of a confidential nature strictly confidential and never disclose it either inside or outside work. 

This post will be offered on a fixed-term contract for 6 months, with a possibility for an extension. 

This is a full-time post – 100% full time equivalent

– Provide support to members of the Comprehensive Cancer Centre or collaborators to develop, document, test, maintain, and administer research databases (e.g. REDCap).  

–        Develop material for training to members of the Cancer Centre or collaborators to develop, document, test, maintain, and administer research databases (e.g. REDCap). 

–        Take the lead in ensuring that local procedures and governance documents are up-to-date and in line with current legal, regulatory and research governance frameworks while also meeting local needs. 

–        Checking and reporting that existing Standard Operating Procedures are being followed and develop new ones when required. 

–        Take a leading role in ensuring that data is collected, recorded and managed in accordance with current legal, regulatory and research governance frameworks. 

–        As and when required, liaise GSTT IT and information compliance on behalf of the Cancer Centre’s member. 

–        Liaise and work with developers to build the Centre’s data infrastructure – and align all developments with the wider data strategies of GSTT/KCL. 

–        Carry out any other duties relating to data management as agreed by the Academic or Clinical Lead of Guy’s Cancer Real World Evidence. 

The above list of responsibilities may not be exhaustive, and the post holder will be required to undertake such tasks and responsibilities as may reasonably be expected within the scope and grading of the post.  

Essential criteria  

1.      Evidence of expertise in the legal, regulatory and research frameworks of research with patient data

2.      Evidence of using good documentation practice and in writing SOPs

3.      Excellent communication and presentation skills; ability to accurately document technical details and convey complex information clearly

4.      Experience of working effectively in a team as well as on their own.

5.      Experience supporting users with no technical knowledge

6.      Ability to compile, interrogate and analyse data to produce meaningful and accessible reports

7.      Experience in database development, maintenance, modification, testing and administration – with a specific focus on REDCap and the various software systems currently being used at GSTT

8.      Process oriented problem solver

9.      Research experience for which the above skills are required (e.g. implementation of patient reported outcome measures)

Desirable criteria

10.  Previous experience of handling confidential information 

11.  Experience of working with IT professionals and understanding of basic concepts. 

12.  Knowledge of at least one computer programming language. 

The Translational Oncology and Urology Research (TOUR) team aims to turn science into better healthcare by translating uro-oncology research into medical practice. TOUR is led by Professor Mieke Van Hemelrijck, bringing together a team of researchers, clinicians, students, research nurses, trial coordinators, and database managers who are active across the field of translational research. 

The translational research work of the group encompasses a heterogeneous set of activities in the area of prostate, bladder, renal, and testicular cancer, covering both bedside and bench. Moreover, Dr Van Hemelrijck leads Guy’s Cancer Real World Evidence (RWE) together with Dr Anne Rigg from Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust. The programme aims to amplify Guy’s Cancer RWE data science capability and allow progress answering challenging cancer research questions. Guy’s Cancer RWE will drive world class patient centred research.