Research Fellow in Dental Clinical Research

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Research Fellow in Dental Clinical Research
School of Dentistry
College of Biomedical and Life Sciences

Cardiff University, College of Biomedical and Life Sciences, School of Dentistry invites applications for the post of Research Fellow in Dental Clinical Research (part-time) based at Heath Park Campus. 

We are looking for a Research Fellow to support our clinical research in the School, working closing with Professor Innes, lead for the Improving Clinical Dentistry, research group.  This exciting opportunity, funded by the Eklund Foundation, project title ‘Picture Perfect project’, explores using smartphone cameras for remote dental care in children. You’ll play a crucial role in conducting high-quality clinical research, from recruitment and assessments to data analysis and reporting.

We would like to hear from you if you are experienced in research and would like to contribute to our growing portfolio of clinically focused research for patient benefit within the area of paediatric dentistry.   This is a non-clinical post but requires the applicant to have experience in delivering clinical dentistry and clinical trials, to enable that experience to be brought into the research group  that will be grant-supported (Candidates would need to be GDC registered).  The research group aspires to improve the oral and dental health of children (and other citizens, including hard-to-reach groups) globally through high quality primary and secondar research and by improving the implementation of research.

We will support you to follow your career aspirations and provide opportunities to pursue excellent in research and enterprise and to inspire others to do the same as you develop your research skills. 

For Informal enquiries about post please contact Dr. Waraf Al-yaseen ([email protected]) or Prof. Nicola Innes ([email protected]).

This position is part time (24 hours per week), available to start immediately and is fixed term for 15 months. Work pattern to be agreed at appointment.

Salary: £49,794 – £54, 395 per annum, pro-rata (Grade 7).
Appointments to roles at Cardiff University are usually made at bottom of scale unless in exceptional circumstances.

Cardiff University offers many excellent benefits, including 45 days annual leave (including bank holidays), local pension scheme, a cycle to work scheme and other travel initiatives, annual increments within the pay scale, and more.  It is exciting and vibrant place to work, with many different challenges and is a proud Living Wages supporter. 

Date advert posted: Friday, 22 March 2024

Closing date: Sunday, 14 April 2024

Please be aware that Cardiff University reserves the right to close this vacancy early should sufficient applications be received.

Cardiff University is committed to supporting and promoting equality and diversity and to creating an inclusive working environment. We believe this can be achieved through attracting, developing, and retaining a diverse range of staff from many different backgrounds.  We therefore welcome applicants from all sections of the community regardless of sex, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, trans identity, relationship status, religion or belief, caring responsibilities, or age.  In supporting our employees to achieve a balance between their work and their personal lives, we will also consider proposals for flexible working or job share arrangements.

Cardiff University is a signatory to the San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA), which means that in hiring and promotion decisions we will evaluate applicants on the quality of their research, not publication metrics or the identity of the journal in which the research is published. More information is available at:  Responsible research assessment – Research – Cardiff University

Job Description

Main function 

To contribute to the research record of the School through commitment to carrying out research leading to publication. To pursue excellence in research, teaching and enterprise, and to lead and inspire others to do the same’.

Main Duties and Responsibilities 

Research:

• To conduct the clinical aspect of the Picture Perfect project, involving:
  • recruiting children and their parents at the University Dental Hospital/ Dental School site;
  • managing patient bookings;
  • conducting the dental clinical assessments for children;
  • ensuring complete information collection for each participant; and
  • building an image bank of intra-oral photographs.
• To collaborate with the research team to analyse results and contribute evidence on the feasibility and screening accuracy of intra-oral photos compared to clinical assessment.
• To contribute to the project write-up and dissemination of the research.
• To contribute to the project management and adhere to clinical and research governance requirements associated with the project.
• To engage in other research activities aligned with the Improving Dentistry Research Group, fostering collaboration with colleagues, and contributing to external and international partnerships.
• To comply with all University governance requirements and training including completion of Good Clinical Practice and Research Integrity training.
• To independently develop research objectives within the remit of the Improving Dentistry Research Group scope, projects or proposals for own or joint research including research funding.
• To provide guidance and supervision for undergraduate students  undertaking projects in specialist areas.
• To develop research networks through regular national/international conference/seminar presentations

Clinical:

• To participate in the management/medical audit requirements of the department in line with NHS standards.
• To adhere to NHS policies, procedures, and clinical governance standards.
• Undertake administrative tasks associated with NHS clinical activities linked to project.
• To engage in continuing medical/dental education and professional development.

Administrative:

• To engage with the University PDR process.
• To ensure health and safety compliance according to relevant legislation and University policies.
• To adhere to legal and regulatory requirements regarding equality and diversity, data protection, copyright, licensing, security, and financial policies.

Other:

• Participate in School administration and activities to promote the school and its work to the wider University and the outside world.
• Report to the Head of School and Dr Waraf Al-yaseen for research and academic duties and to the Clinical Director and the Medical Director of the NHS Trust for clinically associated duties.
• Undertake occasional duties not explicitly mentioned but consistent with the role.
• The post does not entail clinical or teaching duties. There may be opportunities for locum clinical or teaching shifts within the Paediatric Dentistry department for those wishing to maintain clinical skills, depending on the project progress, individual PDR, and the department resources availability.
• Work well within a team but take independent decisions when necessary and seek advice when appropriate, displaying independence in personal goal setting.
• Any other duties not included above, but consistent with the role.

Person Specification

Essential Criteria 

Qualifications and Education
1.    Possess a BSc, Diploma in Dental Therapy or/and Hygiene (or equivalent) degree and full registration with the United Kingdom General Dental Council (GDC).

Knowledge, Skills and Experience
2.    An established expertise and proven portfolio of research and/or relevant industrial experience within your research fields.
3.    Growing national reputation within academic field.
4.    Proven substantial record of publications in national journals and/or other research outputs and activities and attain competitive research funding along with a strong portfolio of research grants
5.    Proven ability to lead and develop a research team
6.    Evidence of ability to solve expansive problems using initiative and creativity, with an innovative and forward-thinking approach to problem solving. 

Communication and Team Working
7.    Evidence of excellent communication skills, both verbal and written academically, and the ability to communicate complex ideas to prospective research participants.
8.    Ability to work well within research teams but take independent decisions when necessary and seek advice when appropriate, displaying independence in personal goal setting. 

Other
9.    Proven ability to demonstrate creativity, innovation and team-working within work

Desirable Criteria 

1.    Relevant professional qualification(s) of higher degree.
2.    Evidence of participation in previous research projects or evidence of training and calibration in assessment of patients, e.g. for epidemiological studies.
3.    Evidence of background knowledge of biostatistics.
4.    Evidence of ability to participate in and develop both internal and external networks and utilise them to enhance the teaching and research activities of the School.
5.    A willingness to take responsibility for academically related administration.

Additional Information

You will take part in all aspects of clinical governance activities. An appropriate honorary clinical contract will be requested from the Cardiff and Vale University Health Board. The timetable will be dependent on the evolving research demands of the individual. 

IMPORTANT: Evidencing Criteria

As part of the application process, you must provide written evidence of meeting all essential criteria, as well as address any desirable criteria that are relevant to your experience. Please submit this evidence within a supporting statement and attach any relevant documents to your application profile. Name all documents with the vacancy reference number, BR, for this specific post.

Applications lacking written evidence of meeting all essential criteria may not be considered further. We welcome the submission of CVs to complement your job-based criteria evidence. complement your job-based criteria evidence
Failing to provide written evidence of meeting all of the essential criteria, may lead the application not to be progressed.  The School of Dentistry welcome the submission of CVs to accompany evidence of the job-based criteria.

Cardiff University is committed to providing a safe environment to study, work and visit, protecting children, young people and adults at risk from harm and abuse. The postholder will need to provide evidence of undertaking updated safeguarding training for children.

Applicants applying for roles in regulated activity and that are listed as an exception under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 will be required to disclose any spent and unspent convictions and undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Check at the appropriate level, Cardiff University will only ask an applicant to make an application for a DBS check if they are legally entitled to. The appointments will be subject to full Occupational Health Clearance for the successful candidates prior to commencement.

How we will support you in performing in this role –

There are some things that you must have before you can start this role (see ‘Essential Criteria’), but other things can be developed either through training, or just by general on-the-job experience. We want to support you and your development once you have started in the role using a combination of the following:

1. Regular one-to-one meetings with your manager;
2. An experienced and supportive team around you;
3. Supporting you through job-relevant training and development that you may require; and
4. A mentoring scheme.

Job Category

Academic – Research