Senior Clinical Fellow

For questions about this job, contact

• Jim Tiernan
• Consultant Colorectal Surgeon (Fellow lead)
• j.tiernan@nhs.net
• Interview date - 13/11/2026

Job Summary

• DUTIES OF THE POST
• Ward management
• Main case operating theatres
• Day case operating theatres
• Outpatient clinic
• Post-operative intensive care
• Discussions with relatives
• Initiation/change of treatment
• Research & audit

LEVELS OF RESPONSIBILITY

Our fellows will benefit from consultant-led training in the operating theatre. However, we expect the applicant to be experienced enough to make sound independent clinical judgements and to look after this complex group of patients on a day-to-day basis. The applicant will be expected to do ward rounds and clinics independently. They will also be asked to perform certain theatre lists independently, appropriate to and dependent upon their level of experience.

SUB-SPECILATY TEAM

The unit is currently divided into three teams and Fellows will be allocated according to their subspecialty interests and career aspirations. This would normally involved six months on two teams but Fellows may choose to focus more time on a single team or spend the year split between all three.

ON-CALL RESPONSIBILITIES

Fellows participate in the on-call rota at Senior Registrar level (non-resident, 24 hr on a 1:9 basis) supporting a Registrar, SHO and junior team who work 12 hour day/night shifts. This system allows flexibility, continuity of care and maximises elective training opportunities.

TEACHING AND RESEARCH/STUDY AND TRAINING

As a large teaching hospital there are multiple opportunities for teaching and training. There are leadership and service improvement roles that can be picked up by fellows. The unit remains at the forefront of international research into colorectal disease and is supported by world class pathology, gastroenterology and radiology departments. Our academic University department, led by Professor David Jayne, has a large portfolio of both basic science and translational research projects and Fellows are encouraged (and supported) to publish at least one manuscript during the course of the year.

Why you should join our Team

INFORMATION ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT

The John Goligher Colorectal Unit is one of the largest centres for Colorectal surgery in Europe and a major tertiary referral centre for advanced pelvic cancer, intestinal failure, pelvic floor and IBD surgery.

Each year we offer four fellowships to senior trainees who have completed their general surgery training to CCT level or equivalent. Fellows can expect a broad programme of advanced training with the option of tailoring the year to focus on one or more subspecialties.

The post permanent. It is envisaged that the successful candidates will commit to fulfilling the training objectives of their fellowship to realise Fellows’ full potential prior to Consultant posts.

MEDICAL STAFF IN THE DEPARTMENT

The unit is composed of eleven consultant surgeons, four Senior Clinical Fellows, five speciality registrars (StR3+), three core trainees (CT), three foundation (FY1) trainees and four advanced care practitioners (ACPs). The team is supported by a team of colorectal nurse specialists.

Consultants

• Mr R Baker
• Mr I Botterill
• Mr D Burke
• Mr J Hance (Clinical Lead)
• Prof D Jayne
• Mr S Maslekar
• Mr A Quyn
• Mr K Riyad
• Prof P Sagar
• Mr R Saunders
• Mr J Tiernan (Fellowship Lead)
• Mr G Zhou

What you will bring to the role

The John Goligher Colorectal Unit is one of the largest centres for Colorectal surgery in Europe and a major tertiary referral centre for advanced pelvic cancer, intestinal failure, pelvic floor and IBD surgery. Our twelve surgeons have been trained at leading centres all over the world and we offer our Fellows tertiary level experience in:

• Minimally invasive surgery: robotic, laparoscopic, TaTME, TAMIS, advanced endoscopy
• Locally advanced & recurrent rectal cancer, high complexity exenteration surgery (high sacrectomy, vascular and nerve resection)
• Complex inflammatory bowel disease and ileoanal pouch surgery (recognised Pouch Centre)
• Pelvic floor surgery
• Intestinal failure surgery (commissioned IF Centre)
• Abdominal wall reconstruction
• MDTs for cancer, IBD, IF, complex polyps and pelvic floor

Each year we offer four Fellowships for senior trainees who have completed their general surgery training to CCT level or equivalent (two starting in Aug and two starting in Feb). Fellows can expect a high volume, broad case mix that includes both super-specialist and general colorectal surgery, with excellent minimally invasive training. Leeds has led the CLASSIC, ROLARR and LACES trials, and places an emphasis on minimally invasive approaches including in cancer, complex IBD, IF and emergency colorectal cases. Fellows can rotate through sub-specialty teams or focus their Fellowship on a particular interest according to preference.

These posts are available with start dates from August 2027 to Feb 2028. They are aimed at trainees who are ready for consultant practice, who have completed their general surgery training to CCT level or equivalent (more junior trainees will NOT be shortlisted). Applications from suitably qualified international trainees are also welcomed, provided their seniority matches CCT level.

One of these posts is an official ACPGBI-RCS Fellowship. This prestigious badge prioritises training in complex IBD including pouches and re-operative surgery.

The unit remains at the forefront of international research into colorectal disease and is supported by world class pathology, gastroenterology and radiology departments. Our academic University department, led by Professor David Jayne, has a large portfolio of both basic science and translational research projects and Fellows are encouraged (and supported) to publish at least one manuscript during the course of the year.

Fellows participate in the on-call rota at Senior Registrar level (non-resident, 24 hr on a 1:9 basis) supporting a Registrar, SHO and junior team who work 12 hour day/night shifts. This system allows flexibility, continuity of care and maximises elective training opportunities.

The Fellowship also offers additional opportunities to improve research, leadership and educational skills relevant to a consultant job.

Please see the attached job description for further information about this vacancy.

About Leeds Teaching Hospital NHS Trust

Our Trust values

• The Leeds Way is working together to support each other and deliver the best possible care to patients.
• We are….
• Responsible
• Open and Honest
• One Team
• Kind

Our Trust priorities

Our purpose: Excellent, safe and sustainable care for every patient every time

Our priorities

• People
• Improvement and Innovation
• Partnerships
• Outcomes

Sponsorship Eligibility

To comply with UK Government regulations on Skilled Worker sponsorship, Leeds Teaching Hospital NHS Trust is unable to provide sponsorship to applicants who do not meet the eligibility criteria or the salary threshold concessions set out under the Skilled Worker visa route. Please take this into consideration before submitting your application. Full guidance on these concessions, including details of who may qualify, can be found here.

We reserve the right to close this advert early if we receive a high number of suitable applications.