Senior Clinical Research Fellow in Rheumatology (Systemic Sclerosis)

Senior Clinical Research Fellow in Rheumatology (Systemic Sclerosis)

Senior Clinical Research Fellow in Rheumatology (Systemic Sclerosis) Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences (NDORMS) Grade E82: £113,565 per annum (pro-rata) dependent on qualifications and experience, in line with current pay protection and transitional arrangements in the NHS. This is a part time (50%), fixed term position until 31/07/2031.

The University of Oxford is a stimulating work environment, which enjoys an international reputation as a world-class centre of excellence. Our research plays a key role in tackling many global challenges, from reducing our carbon emissions to developing vaccines during a pandemic. The Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences (NDORMS) is part of the Medical Sciences Division and is the largest European academic department in its field, running a globally competitive programme of research and teaching.

The Kennedy Institute is a biomedical research centre uniquely bringing together discovery science and early-stage clinical research, to develop transformative new therapies for chronic inflammatory and musculoskeletal conditions. Working across the Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology and Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, the post holder will integrate specialist clinical practice with experimental medicine to define the cellular and molecular mechanisms that drive fibrosis and organ involvement, with particular emphasis on fibroblast heterogeneity, autoantibody-defined disease subgroups, skin and gastrointestinal disease, and changes across the disease course. The programme will use deeply phenotyped patient cohorts and blood, skin and gastrointestinal tissue samples, together with high-dimensional single-cell and bulk transcriptomics, immunohistochemistry, proteomics and functional studies, to identify biomarkers, disease endotypes and tractable therapeutic pathways. The post holder will develop an internationally visible, collaborative and independently funded programme that strengthens systemic sclerosis discovery research at the Kennedy Institute and supports biomarker-rich proof-of-biology studies and clinical trials through the Oxford Experimental Medicine Clinical Research Facility.

What We Offer As an employer, we genuinely care about our employees' wellbeing and this is reflected in the range of benefits that we offer including:

• An excellent contributory pension scheme
• 38 days annual leave
• A comprehensive range of childcare services
• Family leave schemes
• Cycle loan scheme
• Discounted bus travel and Season Ticket travel loans
• Membership to a variety of social and sports clubs

  About the Role We are offering an exciting and unique opportunity for an experienced clinical research fellow to join the Kennedy Institute. In this role, you will develop and lead an independent programme of experimental medicine in systemic sclerosis, centered on fibroblast biology, tissue fibrosis, autoantibody-defined disease subgroups, skin and gastrointestinal involvement, and molecular changes across the disease course. You will undertake a clinical role within Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, including specialist rheumatology and systemic sclerosis outpatient activity and work with the Oxford Experimental Medicine Clinical Research Facility. The indicative job plan will comprise 5 PAs research and 5 PAs clinical and related service, subject to agreement with the Trust. Additionally, you design and deliver translational studies using single-cell and bulk RNA sequencing, tissue proteomics, immunohistochemistry, functional characterisation and integrated analysis of clinical outcomes and patient biospecimens.

  About You You will hold an undergraduate degree with honours in Medicine, or an equivalent postgraduate medical qualification, and either completed or within 6 months of completing CCT in Rheumatology (or equivalent specialist recognition). You must hold a Membership of the Royal College of Physicians (UK) together with a full GMC registration and a license to practice. You will also hold, or be able to obtain, an appropriate NHS contract with Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. You will have PhD or equivalent research doctorate in rheumatology, immunology, fibrosis biology or a closely related discipline together with an internationally recognised track record of mechanistic human research in systemic sclerosis, including expertise in fibroblast biology, fibrosis and clinically meaningful disease heterogeneity.

  Application Process You will be required to upload a covering letter/supporting statement, CV and the details of two referees as part of your online application. Please quote 188386 in all correspondence. The closing date for applications is 12pm 7 September 2026. Interviews will take place during the week commencing 28 September 2026 and will be ONLINE.