Professor of Oncology(UK Sponsorship)

Job Description

Role Overview

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

This is a combined academic–clinical leadership role, with a strong emphasis on clinical trials, translational oncology research, and strategic development of cancer services and education across Sussex.

The successful applicant will also hold an honorary NHS consultant contract, contributing to oncology services while leading major research and teaching initiatives within BSMS and the wider Sussex Cancer Research Centre.

Strategic Purpose of the Role

This post is central to strengthening oncology research and clinical trial capacity across Sussex. You will act as:

• Clinical Director for the Brighton and Sussex Clinical Trials Unit (CTU)
  Academic leader for oncology research development
  Driver of clinical trials expansion across solid and haematological cancers
  Key contributor to national and international research collaborations

The role supports the UK’s wider ambitions for clinical research growth under frameworks 

Clinical Responsibilities

You will work as a senior consultant oncologist within University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust, contributing to:

• Specialist oncology clinical services (medical or clinical oncology)
  Development and delivery of cancer clinical trials
  Leadership of complex multidisciplinary oncology care
  Expansion of early phase and post-licensing studies
  Collaboration across tumour groups including breast, lung, GI, gynaecology, skin, and haematological malignancies

Clinical duties will be structured within a 0.5 FTE NHS commitment, alongside academic responsibilities.

Academic & Research Leadership

At BSMS, you will:

• Lead a personal and collaborative programme of oncology research
  Secure external research funding and major grants
  Strengthen the Sussex Cancer Research Centre (SCRC) portfolio
  Develop translational and clinical trial pipelines
  Support laboratory, outcomes, and population-based cancer research

Research themes may include:

• Cancer inequalities and population health
  Clinical trial optimisation
  Translational oncology innovation
  Prevention and early diagnosis strategies

You will also help align research activity with national funding priorities

Teaching & Education Responsibilities

You will contribute significantly to undergraduate and postgraduate medical education by:

• Leading oncology teaching across the BMBS programme
  Supervising student research projects and dissertations
  Supporting curriculum development and assessment design
  Facilitating clinical placements and SSC opportunities
  Mentoring early career clinicians and researchers

You will also play a role in developing future clinical academics within oncology training pathways aligned with NHS workforce development priorities:

Leadership Expectations

At Professor level, you will be expected to:

• Provide strategic leadership in oncology research and education
  Influence national and international cancer research agendas
  Lead major funding bids and institutional partnerships
  Contribute to faculty and school-level governance
  Develop long-term clinical academic capacity within Sussex

Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate will:

• Hold a CCT in Medical Oncology or Clinical Oncology
  Be GMC registered and eligible for NHS consultant practice
  Have a strong track record in clinical trials research
  Demonstrate academic leadership and grant success
  Be experienced in multidisciplinary collaboration
  Show commitment to teaching and student development

Desirable experience includes:

• Leadership in clinical trials units
  Oncology programme development
  Translational or precision medicine research
  International research collaboration

GMC registration information

Sussex Cancer Research Centre (SCRC)

You will be closely aligned with the SCRC, a multi-institutional centre involving:

• University of Sussex
  University of Brighton
  NHS Trust partners

SCRC focuses on:

• Translational cancer science
  Clinical trials innovation
  Regional cancer outcomes improvement

(cancer intelligence resources)

Working Environment

BSMS is a collaborative academic medical school jointly supported by Sussex and Brighton universities and NHS partners. It offers:

• A strong culture of translational research
  Multi-professional education environment
  High-impact clinical academic community
  Integrated NHS–University research ecosystem

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

The institution is committed to creating an inclusive academic environment and strongly encourages applications from underrepresented groups in STEMM disciplines.

Visa & Eligibility

This role is eligible for Skilled Worker visa sponsorship subject to salary and UK immigration requirements.

Guidance:

• https://www.gov.uk/browse/visas-immigration
  https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/health-and-care-worker-visa

Employment Requirement

All duties must be performed within the United Kingdom in accordance with institutional policy and UK employment regulations.