Clinical Research Fellow in Hypertension and Dialysis with certificate of sponsorship to the UK
Visa Note
While this position offers a certificate of sponsorship for skilled worker visa applicants, all candidates must verify their eligibility with the employer directly. The certificate of sponsorship does not guarantee visa approval, and applicants should familiarise themselves with UK visa requirements and application processes before applying.
Job Overview
University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust is offering an exciting opportunity for a Clinical Research Fellow to join the Renal Medicine department at Heartlands Hospital. This unique position combines research responsibilities with ongoing clinical commitments in renal and General Internal Medicine (GIM) on-call rotas. The role is designed for medical professionals seeking to develop academic skills through MD or PhD research while maintaining clinical practice.
The fellowship provides structured research training through a comprehensive Research & Development (R&D) teaching program. It is particularly suitable for trainees pursuing out-of-programme research (OOPR) to develop subspecialty research expertise. Previous fellows have successfully completed PhDs at the University of Birmingham, with another finalizing their thesis at the University of Warwick, demonstrating the program’s track record in academic development.
Key Details
Company: University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust
Location: Heartlands Hospital, Bordesley Green E, Birmingham, West Midlands, B9 5SS
Salary: £65,048 per year
Working Pattern: Full-time
Contract Type: Fixed term
Duration: 24 months initially (with potential extension based on satisfactory research progress)
Closing Date: 14 February 2026
Reference Number: 13879
Research Projects
This fellowship involves participation in three major research projects focused on hypertension and dialysis:
1. Pilot Study on Blood Pressure Measurement Methods in Dialysis Patients
The fellow will evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of home BP monitoring (HBPM), ambulatory BP monitoring (ABPM), and the Hilo device in patients newly starting haemodialysis via central venous line. This includes validating the Hilo device against established BP measurement methods and performing targeted echocardiography to assess left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH).
2. Assessment of Non-Adherence in Advanced CKD and Dialysis Patients
This study aims to validate antihypertensive drug screening in urine, haemodialysis fluid, and peritoneal dialysis fluid to objectively measure medication adherence. The research will help better understand adherence patterns to improve blood pressure control and patient outcomes among those with chronic kidney disease and dialysis patients.
3. Pseudo-Randomised Trial of Blood Pressure Control in Haemodialysis Patients
The fellow will utilize the international DOPPS database and advanced statistical modelling to emulate a randomised trial comparing intensive and standard systolic BP targets, with cardiovascular mortality as the primary outcome. This approach addresses key clinical questions quickly and cost-effectively, guiding future Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT) design.
Main Duties
The Clinical Research Fellow will be expected to take initiatives in planning research, identifying and developing suitable techniques for data collection and analysis, and conducting data analysis responsibilities. Fellows must present findings to colleagues and at conferences, and submit publications to peer-reviewed journals to advance the field of renal research.
The position requires attendance at Renal departmental meetings including morbidity and mortality reviews, journal club sessions, and contribution to the educational rota. This encompasses departmental resident teaching, journal club participation, locally delivered regional specialty trainee teaching, and hospital grand rounds to maintain clinical competency.
Normal working hours are 9am to 5pm with a 1 in 5 on-call frequency and 1 in 4 weekend on-call frequency in the capacity of renal and general medicine registrar. This combination ensures both research productivity and maintenance of clinical skills throughout the fellowship.
Person Specification
Essential Qualifications
- Medical Degree (e.g MBBS, MB ChB)
- Member of the Royal College of Physicians (or equivalent)
- ALS (Advanced Life Support) certification
- Full GMC Registration
Desirable Qualifications
- Currently Holding NTN in base speciality (ST 4-6)
Essential Experience
- 12 months GIM training or equivalent
Additional Information
Note that the position is for 2 years initially, but may be extended depending on satisfactory research progress and mutual agreement regarding pursuit of a higher degree (MD or PhD).
About University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust
University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust is committed to creating an inclusive culture where everyone feels they belong, can thrive, knows they add value, and feels valued. The organisation develops compassionate and culturally competent leaders while being values-driven in all aspects of its operations.
The trust celebrates diversity and attracts talented individuals from all backgrounds, providing support for the unique perspectives and experiences each person brings. For staff with disabilities, including physical disabilities, long-term health conditions, mental health challenges, or neurodiverse conditions, the trust is committed to making reasonable adjustments to enable successful role performance.
Employer Accreditation
The employer holds multiple accreditations including Age Positive, Apprenticeships, Carer Friendly Employer, Defence Employer Recognition Scheme Gold, Disability Confident Leader, Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce, Happy to Talk Flexible Working, Positive about disability, Smoke free, Stonewall, Stonewall Silver Employer 2022, and Veteran Aware. These recognitions demonstrate the organisation’s commitment to workplace diversity and inclusion.
Certificate of Sponsorship Information
University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust is able to offer a Certificate of Sponsorship for suitable candidates who require skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK. Applications from job seekers who require current skilled worker sponsorship will be considered alongside all other applications.
For skilled worker applicants applying for entry clearance into the UK, it is necessary to present criminal record certificates from each country where they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975, requiring a submission to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions. All successful applicants will need to undergo this standard NHS employment check.
Professional Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration to be eligible for this position. For further information regarding professional registration requirements for overseas healthcare professionals, please refer to the NHS Careers website.
How to Apply
Apply via NHS Jobs website. For international candidates seeking sponsorship, we recommend the following steps:
- Verify your eligibility for skilled worker visa sponsorship with the employer before submitting your application
- Gather required documentation including medical qualifications, GMC registration, and evidence of English language proficiency
- Prepare criminal record certificates from all countries where you have resided for 12+ months in the past 10 years
- Contact Dr Awais Hameed (Consultant) at Awais.Hameed@uhb.nhs.uk with any questions regarding the application process or sponsorship details
- Submit your complete application through the NHS Jobs portal before the 14 February 2026 deadline
Supporting Documents
The Clinical Research Fellow in Hypertension and Dialysis.pdf (PDF, 389 KB) is available as a supporting document and should be reviewed carefully before applying. This document contains additional details about the role, research projects, and departmental information.
Contact Information
For questions about the job, contact Dr Awais Hameed (Consultant) at Awais.Hameed@uhb.nhs.uk. While phone contact information is not provided, email inquiries are welcome and will be responded to during business hours.
Privacy Notice
Please review University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust’s privacy notice for information about how your personal data will be handled during the recruitment process and beyond. The privacy notice is available at https://www.uhb.nhs.uk/privacy-notice/.
Further Information
For more information about University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust and available career opportunities, please visit the employer’s website at https://www.uhb.nhs.uk/jobs.htm. The trust offers a supportive environment for professional development and research excellence in the field of renal medicine and hypertension research.