Professor of Oncology(UK Sponsorship)

Job Description

Role Overview

Brighton & Sussex Medical School (BSMS), in partnership with University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust, is recruiting a senior Clinical Academic in Oncology at either Associate Professor or Professor level, depending on experience and career stage.

This post combines academic leadership, clinical practice, and strategic direction in cancer clinical trials, with a key leadership role as Clinical Director of the Brighton and Sussex Clinical Trials Unit (CTU).

The position sits within a collaborative regional cancer research ecosystem involving:

Sussex Cancer Centre

Key national frameworks and research governance structures underpinning this role include:

Strategic Purpose of the Role

The postholder will lead the development and expansion of oncology clinical trials activity across Sussex, with responsibility for:

  • Strengthening the regional and national clinical trials portfolio
    Developing high-impact translational and interventional oncology research
    Enhancing recruitment and delivery of cancer trials across tumour types
    Supporting the growth of a sustainable academic oncology research group
    Increasing external grant income and research funding success

The role is central to expanding research capacity across both:

Solid tumours (breast, lung, GI, gynaecological, skin cancers)
Haematological malignancies (including translational oncology research)

Clinical Responsibilities

As an honorary consultant (0.5 FTE NHS component), the postholder will:

  • Provide senior clinical leadership within Oncology services at UHSussex
    Contribute to clinical trials delivery and governance
    Support post-licensing and optimisation oncology studies
    Engage in multidisciplinary cancer care delivery
    Participate in an on-call consultant rota (as agreed)
    Academic and Research Responsibilities

The postholder will be expected to:

  • Lead a high-quality, independent oncology research programme
    Direct and expand clinical trials infrastructure at BSMS
    Secure major national and international research funding
    Collaborate with the Sussex Cancer Research Centre and partner institutions
    Supervise PhD students, clinical trainees, and early-career researchers
    Publish in high-impact peer-reviewed journals

Research themes may include:

  • Clinical trials methodology
    Translational cancer science
    Health outcomes and cancer survivorship
    Precision oncology and personalised treatment approaches

Teaching and Educational Leadership

The role includes a strong commitment to medical education, including:

  • Leading oncology teaching across undergraduate MBBS curriculum
    Developing clinical oncology learning pathways for students
    Supervising research projects and Student Selected Components (SSCs)
    Supporting postgraduate clinical and academic training programmes
    Promoting oncology career development among medical students

The postholder will contribute to the wider teaching mission of BSMS, helping shape future clinical oncologists and researchers.

Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate will demonstrate:

  • CCT in Medical Oncology or Clinical Oncology (or equivalent specialist qualification)
    Established track record in clinical trials leadership and oncology research
    Evidence of successful research funding and grant acquisition
    Experience supervising academic or clinical trainees
    National and/or international research reputation (Professor level)
    Strong collaborative leadership across clinical-academic environments

About BSMS and Research Environment

BSMS is a joint medical school between the Universities of Brighton and Sussex, working closely with NHS partners across the South East.

Its research strengths include:

  • Cancer biology and translational medicine
    Clinical trials innovation
    Global and population health
    Precision medicine approaches

The School promotes a strong culture of:

  • Interdisciplinary collaboration
    Clinical-academic integration
    Research-led teaching excellence
    Inclusive and supportive working environments

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

The institution actively promotes inclusive recruitment and encourages applications from underrepresented groups in medicine and STEM fields.

Relevant UK equality and workforce frameworks include:

Additional Information

  • Visa sponsorship may be available depending on eligibility and SOC code requirements
    The role requires UK-based working in line with NHS and university governance policies
    Informal discussions with academic and clinical leads are encouraged prior to application