2024 BNA Scholars announced
15th March 2024
A funded Clinical Research Fellowship is available for a medical graduate with an interest in neurology, medical genetics, or psychiatry to work under the direction of Dr. Blair R. Leavitt at the Centre for Huntington Disease, based in the Department of Medical Genetics and the Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine at the University of British Columbia (UBC) in Vancouver, Canada.
The work will be in the field of Huntington’s disease, which is an inherited neurodegenerative disorder. The Fellow will participate in a number of on-going and up-coming experimental therapeutic trials and clinical translational projects, and this post is suitable for those seeking a career in HD clinical care, clinical neuroscience, and drug development. The working environment is collective and multidisciplinary. Enthusiasm, ability to be self-organised, an enquiring mind, vision and good clinical skills will all be necessary. The candidate will need to have good computer skills and be able to pick up mathematical statistical concepts. The Clinical Research Fellow will be closely involved with the Centre for Huntington Disease at UBC under the clinical supervision of Dr. Blair R. Leavitt. This is an award-winning clinic that cares for patients and families affected by Huntington’s disease from premanifest gene carriers through to patients with advanced disease. Dr. Blair R. Leavitt is one of two Consultant Neurologists at the clinic other current staff include two Consultant Psychiatrists, a Consultant Clinical Geneticist, a Genetic Counsellor, two Clinical Trial Coordinators, a Clinic Administrator, and a Social Worker supported by the Huntington Society of Canada. This Clinic receives referrals from all over the province of British Columbia, the Yukon, and Pacific North-Western U.S. and is one of the largest HD clinics in North America, caring for approximately 750 HD patients and many more at risk of the disease.
The Clinical Fellow will be centrally involved in the conduct of HD clinical trials: including, but not limited to, innovative intrathecal huntingtin-lowering therapy studies, Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) Biomarker studies, trials of novel biologic therapies, and large international observational trials in HD. He/she will work closely with the other CHD team members (Research Trial Coordinators, Research Assistants, and Project Administrator) as well as other members of the CHD team. In addition to the training in Huntington’s disease, the candidate will receive clinical training in Clinical Neurogenetics with Dr Blair R. Leavitt. The Clinical Research Fellow will be responsible for biosample collection that will take place in these studies, and must have established skills with blood collection and lumbar puncture for CSF collection. Intrathecal administration of novel forms of huntingtin-lowering agents will be an important responsibility of the Clinical Research Fellow, and demonstrated experience and proficiency with lumbar punctures is an absolute requirement for this position.
The Clinical Research Fellow will also obtain informed consent and carry out clinical assessment (medical interview, neurological and oculomotor examination and psychiatric assessment), blood sample collection, and sample processing. The Clinical Research Fellow will be responsible for identifying and acting appropriately on any clinical issues arising in these studies, in accordance with Good Clinical Practice requirements. The Clinical Research Fellow will also have the opportunity to become involved in other ongoing research and clinical studies at the CMMT and around UBC.
REQUIRMENTS:
Essential Criteria
• Registered medical practitioner in British Columbia, Canada (or eligible)
• MRCPC or equivalent postgraduate qualification preferred
• Experience in an accredited Residency program at appropriate level
• Be able to demonstrate a record of academic excellence
• Excellent inter-personal and communication skills
• Excellent organisational skills
• Able to work co-operatively in a team environment
• A very high level of consideration and care for patients and research subjects
• Interested in research and a commitment to quality in the research process
• Good clinical assessment skills • Established proficiency with lumbar puncture is REQUIRED.
Desirable Criteria
• Enthusiasm
• Ability to be self-organised
• Initiative, and an enquiring mind
• Experience in statistical analysis
• Experience of peer-reviewed publication of research
• Excellent oral and written presentation skills
• Knowledge of clinical research regulatory requirements, ethics and governance
Appointment: The post is funded for one year in the first instance, and renewable on an annual basis (subject to successful performance review) for a total of two years. The post-holder will be subject to a nine-month probationary period. SALARY RANGE: up to $100,000 per annum. Annual Leave: 14 days per annum.
Applications (1 copy of CV and the names of 3 references) should be sent to:
Blair R. Leavitt MDCM, FRCPC (Neurology)
Professor, Department of Medical Genetics, and Division of Neurology,
Department of Medicine (Associate) Director of Research, Centre for Huntington Disease Scientist,
The Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics Child and Family Research Institute,
BC Children's Hospital The University of British Columbia 950 West 28th Avenue,
Rm. 2020 EMAIL: bleavitt@cmmt.ubc.ca
Enquiries may be directed to Professor Blair R. Leavitt @ bleavitt@cmmt.ubc.ca
For more information please visit http://cmmt.ubc.ca/clinical-fellowship-in-huntington-disease-research-at-ubc/