Clinical Research Fellow

Job summary

Wirral Academic Surgical Programme Fellowship

Applications are invited for the highly regarded Wirral Academic Surgical Programme, which was shortlisted for the NIHR West Coast Research Awards in 2025.

This established and successful programme has an excellent track record in supporting fellows to progress to higher surgical training. To date, 27 fellows, including both UK and international graduates, have secured National Training Numbers, alongside the award of 22 ChM degrees.

These fellowship posts offer an exceptional opportunity for ambitious surgical trainees to strengthen their portfolio in a supportive, structured, and academically rich environment, while maximising their chances of successful entry to higher surgical training.

Main duties of the job

About the Fellowship

These posts are designed for candidates who have completed Core Surgical Training or are working at Specialist Registrar level and are seeking a National Training Number.

Fellows are employed as General Surgery Registrars and rotate through Upper GI, Colorectal, and Emergency Surgery. The post includes participation in a 1:13 on-call rota, with salary at ST3 level.

We are committed to providing broad clinical experience within a supportive training environment.

We recognise the challenges trainees face in securing higher surgical training posts. This fellowship offers added value through:

• enhanced clinical exposure

• protected academic development

• structured research opportunities

• formal educational qualifications

Why Apply?

The Wirral Academic Surgical Programme offers:

• a proven route to higher surgical training

• high-quality registrar-level clinical experience

• protected research time

• funded postgraduate qualifications

• a supportive academic environment

Fellows benefit from a strong academic structure, working at 0.8 WTE with 2 PAs dedicated to research. Study and annual leave are equivalent to Deanery trainees.

This fellowship is ideal for motivated trainees aiming to strengthen their portfolio and progress their surgical careers.

Posts commence in August 2026.

About us

All new colleagues can expect to receive a warm and friendly Wirral welcome from the very first time they make contact with us. We are described as "competent and caring staff" by our patients.

Wirral University Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is situated on The Wirral peninsula which has a stunning coastline and beautiful countryside surroundings, with great activities for its residents.

We are one of the largest and busiest acute Trusts in the North West of England, comprising of the Wirral's only Emergency Department. We provide a high quality range of acute care services and employ over 6,000 staff, who serve a population of approximately 400,000 people across Wirral, Ellesmere Port, Neston, North Wales and the wider North West footprint.

We have approximately 855 beds trust-wide and our financial turnover is in excess of £337m.

The Wirral is easily accessible with excellent transport links including motorway, train, bus or ferry and within easy reach to the major cities of Liverpool, Chester and Manchester as well as neighbouring North Wales.