Call for applications for Chairmanship of UKCRN/NIHR Specialty Groups

CALL NOW CLOSED - FOR INFORMATION ONLY

The National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Comprehensive Clinical Research Network (CCRN) is part of the UK Clinical Research Network (UKCRN). UKCRN was established by the Department of Health to improve the speed, quality and integration of clinical research, resulting in improved patient care. It is led by Professors Janet Darbyshire (London) and Peter Selby (Leeds).

Specialty Groups are being developed in 26 areas of disease/clinical need not covered by existing Topic Specific Research Networks, and across a number of cross cutting themes. The 26 Specialty Groups are:

• Non malignant haematology
• Clinical genetics
• Dermatology
• Infectious diseases & microbiology
• Injuries and accidents
• Musculoskeletal
• Gastrointestinal
• Renal
• Reproductive health & childbirth
• Public health research
• Age & ageing
• Surgery
• *Paediatrics (non medicines)
• Cardiovascular
• Ear, nose & throat
• Ophthalmology
• Immunology & inflammation
• Metabolic & endocrine (not diabetes)
• Oral & dental
• Hepatology
• Urogenital
• Respiratory
• Health services research
• Critical care
• Anaesthetics
• *Nervous system disorders

The primary purpose of the Specialty Groups is to provide the NIHR CCRN with access to a national network of subject specific expertise. They will provide advice on both “do-ability” and more detailed feasibility for both commercial and non-commercial studies, provide members and input into adoption committees and provide input into topic specific training within the UKCRN’s national training and education programme. Each group will meet twice a year but most business will be carried out between meetings by email and telephone.

While a primary purpose of the Specialty Groups is to support the NIHR CCRN, many multi-centre studies involve sites in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland; therefore, many Specialty Groups will also include members from the devolved nations.

It is envisaged that Specialty Group Chairs will usually be individuals that have been nominated as local clinical leads, either by their Comprehensive Local Research Network (in England) or one of the Research Networks within the devolved nations. Exceptionally, a Chair who is not directly associated with a Network active in that particular area may be appointed. Chair appointments will be for two, three or four years in the first instance, and chairmanship can be considered national work.

Applications for Specialty Group Chairs are invited from experienced clinical researchers from across any of the four UK nations. Chairs need to be able to demonstrate experience of collaborative clinical research activity in a leadership capacity, an ability to provide leadership to a multi-disciplinary group and previous experience of chairing meetings.

Supporting information and clarification on the application process is available to download below. Application requires the submission of a curriculum vitae and supporting statement to h.walters@ukcrn.org.uk.  

Applications should be received no later than Friday 30 May 2008

For general enquiries about the UKCRN and the NIHR CCRN please contact Louise Bleasdale, UKCRN Communications Manager Tel: 0113 343 0372; l.bleasdale@ukcrn.org.uk  

*Consideration is currently being given to the possibilities that the Medicines for Children Research Network provide management support to the Non- Medicines Paediatric Specialty Group and for the Dementias and Neurodegenerative Diseases Research Network to provide management support to the Nervous System Disorders Specialty Group. The UKCRN Coordinating Centre will begin the process for appointing a Chairman for these two Specialty Groups, inviting a senior representative of stakeholders to join the relevant appointment committees.