Clinical Research Fellow in Cancer Imaging

We are seeking an ambitious, innovative individual with a specific interest in cancer imaging and/or colorectal cancers / MR imaging to work on the “Improving Outcomes in Colorectal Cancer with Peritoneal Metastases: PREDICT-PM (PRE-operative Diagnostic Imaging in Colorectal cancer with Peritoneal Metastases” study.

This research project will address a critical gap in the pre-operative management of appendiceal neoplasms. Whilst the Peritoneal Cancer Index (PCI) is currently the gold standard for assessing disease burden, its radiological application (rPCI) remains inconsistent and technically challenging. The primary objective is to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy, inter-observer reliability, and predictive value of a standardized CT-PCI atlas in patients with non-mucinous appendiceal adenocarcinomas.

The post holder will be supported with dedicated research time (40% of the role) by Dr Joe Mercer and Dr Rohit Kochhar leading the research project and accountable to the Radiology Clinical Tutor for Fellows, and then to the Clinical Director. Clinical duties will include oncological CT, MRI and PET/CT reporting, under consultant supervision as appropriate, Peritoneal MRI reporting and participation in Peritoneal Tumour Service MDT meetings. They will also have the benefit of working alongside a peer group of other Radiology Fellows, as well as close working with the Consultant Radiologist's

The appointee will be based at The Christie, Withington Campus. Clinically they will provide senior input to education and training in specialist cancer imaging, including sub-specialisms in CT and MR. The post holder will be supported in producing imaging reports and in further enhancing their involvement with specialist MDTs. Within Research they will lead project to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy, inter-observer reliability, and predictive value of a standardized CT-PCI atlas in patients with non-mucinous appendiceal adenocarcinoma.

The post holder’s routine clinical work will initially be closely supervised but they will practice increasingly independently as their experience develops during the year. In turn, the post holder will be able to supervise trainee Radiologists as time and expertise progress.

The Christie is one of Europe’s leading cancer centres, treating over 60,000 patients a year. We are based in Manchester and serve a population of 3.2 million across Greater Manchester &​ Cheshire, but as a national specialist around 15% patients are referred to us from other parts of the country.

We provide radiotherapy through one of the largest radiotherapy departments in the world; chemotherapy on site and through 14 other hospitals; highly specialist surgery for complex and rare cancer; and a wide range of support and diagnostic services. We are also an international leader in research, with world first breakthroughs for over 100 years.

We run one of the largest early clinical trial units in Europe with over 300 trials every year. Cancer research in Manchester, most of which is undertaken on the Christie site, has been officially ranked the best in the UK.

The postholder will contribute to the delivery of high quality consultant led care across 7 days. This includes participation in planned weekend and weekday clinical activity to support safe, timely decision making and continuity of care for patients

For further details / informal visits contact: Name: Joe Mercer Job title: Consultant Radiologist Email address: Joesph.mercer@nhs.net