The University Division of Anaethesia (UDA) attachment
The post
The UDA attachment is a one year period of attachment to the University Division of Anaesthesia, offered to all post-fellowship trainees at an appropriate stage of their training. Typically, up to two trainees can be attached to the UDA at any time, and the time spent in the post counts towards the CCT.
The purpose of this attachment would be to undertake a significant piece of research and;
- To present the data at national or international meetings, with the aim of achieving membership of the Anaesthetic Research Society.
- To publish the data as at least one paper in a peer reviewed journal.
- Where appropriate, to obtain adequate pilot data to apply for substantial research funding (from the MRC, Wellcome Trust, RCA etc) so as to fund studies towards a higher degree.
- Where appropriate, to arrange for collaborative research with other groups in the region, in order to provide research opportunities that are currently unavailable to the speciality. This will not only provide opportunities for the individual, but also for the speciality as a whole.
The appointment is by competition and shortlisting is based on submission of a project proposal from the trainee, with or without support from a mentor. Many trainees will be mentored in such research by consultants or senior scientists within (or closely associated with) the UDA. However, it is hoped that at least some of these projects will be jointly supervised by other consultants in the region. Final selection of shortlisted candidates will be by formal interview.
Applications for shortlisting
Initial application is by submission of a current curriculum vitae and a short (less than 2500 words, not including references and figures) literature review on a topic of your choosing, with the aim of specifying an unanswered (but answerable!) research question. The aim is to see how you perform when working in an area in which you have a special interest and at the end of the day, whether successful or not, you will have the infrastructure for a publication. It would be entirely appropriate for you to discuss this with a more senior trainee or a consultant, who could act as your research mentor. However, this must not be one of the selection committee, which will be constituted from (depending on availability) the following individuals; Dr Hobbiger, Dr Penfold, Dr Brennan, Dr Barber, Dr Fletcher, and Professor Menon.
Trainees who are interested in applying for the post will need to submit their manuscripts by the September deadline. Submissions will be evaluated on the basis of originality, content, and presentation, making some allowance for whether or not the work was solo, or done with consultant collaboration. We will not penalise individuals who have managed to organise a mentor, however, since part of success in research is being able to interact with people and take advice.
Inteviews
Formal selection interviews are held in October, and include a 10 minute presentation of the proposed research question arising from the candidate’s literature review (not the review itself). The presentation of the research proposal should cover the following headings;
- Aims
- Hypothesis to be tested
- Background literature review
- Protocol
- Data analysis
- Interpretation of positive and negative results
- Funding and other resource implications
- Eventual plans for the project
Application timeline for future UDA attachments will be posted here.
Deadline for submission of CV and literature review / research proposal: To be confirmed
Interview of shortlisted candidates: To be confirmed
For further information please contact:
Dr Rowan Burnstein
Consultant Anaesthetist,
Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Trust,
Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Hills Road, Cambridge, CB2 0QQ