Full-time, Fixed-term Contract 
Location: Institute for Sport and Exercise Health (ISEH)

We are excited to advertise for a highly motivated clinician researcher to join in the new Advanced BiomaRkers Advanced Imaging of Neurological Health Clinic (‘Advanced BRAIN health Clinic’). The post is based at the Institute of Sport, Exercise and Health (ISEH).

This longitudinal research study and clinical service provides state-of-the-art assessment of retired elite athletes who have concerns about their brain health, while gaining wider scientific insights into the relationship between sports traumatic brain injury (TBI) and clinical outcomes, including neurodegenerative disease & dementia.

The study is funded to assess retired rugby and football players, funded but run independently of the Premier Rugby League (PRL), Rugby Football Union and the Football Association.

Former elite players will have neuropsychological assessment, injury ascertainment, blood biomarker testing (including genetics/neurodegenerative markers), neuroimaging (3T MRI including DTI/fMRI) and neurological review. Individuals will then return for two follow-up visits at 2 years and 4 years where these investigations are repeated, to assess change over time. 

The successful candidate will play a central role in developing this sports-TBI neuroscientific research programme, collecting, analysing and publishing findings in this high-profile participant group. This post has considerable scope for scientific achievement and personal growth and will benefit from clinical and academic input as well as supervision. The candidate will also become a key member of the neuroscience research staff in the group of Professor David Sharp, member of the UK Dementia Research Institute, Care Research & Technology, at Imperial College London, and Dr Richard Sylvester, Consultant Neurologist at UCL and ISEH

The candidate will have an opportunity to register for a PhD aligned to the research activity of the project.

Duties and responsibilities

Acquisition and management of data from elite athletes and healthy control data, including: neuropsychological assessment (overseen by clinical neuropsychologist), advanced MRI acquisition, blood sample processing and management; developing techniques for advanced neuroimaging analyses, integrating biomarkers data longitudinally and across modalities and epidemiological analyses within this unique patient cohort. Preparing and publishing findings.

Essential requirements

The candidate should have a degree in Medicine (MBBS) or equivalent and be fully GMC registered.

The post would ideally suit post-foundation clinical trainees (ST1+) or specialty trainees in neurology, neurosurgery, psychiatry and/or sports medicine.

Further Information

This is a full time and fixed term role for 3 years. 

Should you require any further details on the role please contact: Dr Neil Graham neil.graham@imperial.ac.uk and Karl (Gus) Zimmerman karl.zimmerman11@imperial.ac.uk 

Closing date: 7th October  2022.

To apply please click here Clinical Research Fellow - Advanced BRAIN Health Study (hcacareers.co.uk)