FELLOWSHIP IN VITREORETINAL GENE THERAPY

JOB SUMMARYThe VITREORETINAL GENE THERAPY fellowship is available at the John Radcliffe Hospital from 1 August 2026 to 31 July 2028.

This post is suitable for doctors who have completed their training but seek experience in VITREORETINAL SURGERY in relation to GENE THERAPY and clinical trials prior to obtaining a consultant appointment. It is not a post for general vitreoretinal surgical training and nor is it approved for training by the Royal College of Ophthalmologists. Candidates are welcome to visit the department and are invited to contact the Consultant, Professor Robert MacLaren, Honorary Consultant Ophthalmologist at the Oxford Eye Hospital, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (Tel: Oxford 01865 234567, PA contact ***email_hidden***). The post is for one year in the first instance but extendable to two years with a final completion date of 31 July 2028. It is funded by the NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre, an NHS research programme.

This post is suitable for doctors who have completed their training but seek experience in gene therapy clinical trials relevant to vitreoretinal surgery, prior to obtaining a clinical academic or consultant appointment. This full time NHS appointment involves setting up and managing clinical trials in vitreoretinal surgery. Experience with retinal imaging and management of uveitis is essential as is completion of good clinical practice (GCP) training in order to be on the clinical trial delegation log. Experience with handling and disposing of gene therapy vectors in the operating theatre is also essential. On alternate Wednesdays, the post holder will attend Great Ormond Street Children’s Hospital to gain further experience of paediatric gene therapy under the supervision of Prof Rob Henderson. Travel expenses for this are included in the post. The post-holder will also be required to attend clinical trial meetings which encompass a number of gene therapy clinical trials.

The post-holder is expected to be on call for vitreoretinal emergencies on 1:3 Mondays, every Thursday and 1:3 weekends on a rota with the other two VR fellows. Days can be swapped. In addition to running the clinical trials, the post holder would also be required to lead his or her own research programme and present papers at the international meetings. Possession of an independent academic fellowship award would be an advantage.

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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For further details / informal visits contact: Name: Robert MacLaren Job title: Ophthalmology Consultant Email address: [email protected] Telephone number: 01865 223146

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