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Invitation for Expressions of Interest - National Clinical Research Lead for Cancer

We are looking for national clinical research lead to play a key role in driving up cancer research delivery performance across Wales, and in particular commercial cancer research.

We are looking for an individual with the professional expertise, leadership skills and experience in research delivery, particularly in working with industry. Funding will be available for up to 4 sessions a week (0.4WTE) for 2 years. Sessional time will be paid direct to the host organisation of the individual and travel and subsistence will be made available from Health and Care Research Wales.

How to apply:

Expressions of interest are invited in the form of a 1-page document and a CV (of no more than 2 pages) outlining your suitability to undertake this role, to be submitted to healthandcareresearch@wales.nhs.uk by 15:00 on 17 March 2025.

Applicants are asked to include details of their relevant experience and demonstrate how they are able to meet the tasks required for the role. Following the closing date for applications, informal interviews will be arranged and will centre on the key tasks and skills required of the post, as stated below.

Purpose of the post

The Tackling Cancer Initiative was established by the Cabinet Secretary of Health and Social Care in 2024 to deliver an ambitious, collaborative approach to improving cancer outcomes for the people of Wales. As part of the Tackling Cancer initiative, there will be a focused effort on the acceleration of participation in high quality clinical trials (known as the Tackling Cancer through Research programme). In doing this, we will simultaneously improve and reduce inequality in access to clinical research for the public and patients of Wales and their cancer outcomes.

As part of Tackling Cancer through Research programme, we are looking to appoint strong clinical leadership who is empowered to represent Wales in strategic partnership discussions with commercial companies, NHS Wales clinical service leads, and the Welsh research community.

The successful individual will be working closely within senior colleagues in Welsh Government, namely the Chief Scientific Advisor for Health and Head of R&D policy, as well as colleagues in Health and Care Research Wales and the NHS Executive in Wales.

Key tasks

The National Clinical Research Lead for Cancer will

  • Act as a clinical figurehead for the Tackling Cancer through Research programme in meetings with industry and enhance the opportunities for Wales to collaborate in development or delivery of trials.
     
  • Be the lead Specialty Lead for cancer in Wales and provide overarching strategic support as part of the Health and Care Research Wales Support and Delivery Service and provide strong UK-level engagement for Wales in clinical research portfolio monitoring and research delivery.
     
  • Provide overarching leadership to the whole cancer research delivery portfolio and develop arrangements to ensure cancer research delivery sub-specialty leads are identified to support the operational delivery of sub-specialty portfolios across Wales.
     
  • Develop mechanisms for the prioritisation of cancer studies undertaken in NHS Wales working with the Health and Care Research Wales delivery hub.
     
  • Sell Wales and speak at events representing the capability in Wales in line with the Health and Care Research Wales Industry Plan (under development).
     
  • Co-chair the Tackling Cancer for Research Oversight Group alongside the R&D policy lead in Welsh Government.

Skills

You will be an experienced and high-calibre clinical leader in cancer research, who is able to command the respect of colleagues UK wide. You will understand the UK and Welsh cancer research delivery needs, and the structures and priorities of NHS Wales. You will be a strong communicator and be able to network relevant groups to champion the uptake of studies. You will be highly experienced in engaging with pharmaceutical companies and have skills to network effectively, enthusing NHS colleagues in Wales to engage effectively in research.

If you would like to discuss the opportunity, please contact:

Carys Thomas, Head of R&D Policy, Welsh Government, carys.thomas@gov.wales