Academic Foundation Programme Job Description
Programme 2, 4, and 6 – Haematology – based at BSMS/RSCH
Reference: 2024BSMS/02
Reference: 2024BSMS/04
Reference: 2024BSMS/06
Type of programme:
Research – Haematology research at BSMS is overseen by Professor Timothy Chevassut, Chair of Haematology and Director for Academic Training, who runs an active translational research programme to improve treatment of blood cancers.
| Employing trust: University Hospitals Sussex NHS Trust Academic placement based at: Royal Sussex County Hospital BSMS Medical Research Building | |
| Brief outline of department Haematology research in Brighton focuses primarily on understanding the biology of blood cancer, notably acute myeloid leukaemia, chronic lymphoid leukaemia and multiple myeloma, with a view to exploring new therapeutic strategies in these disease areas. We are particularly interested in understanding the molecular mechanisms of disease in acute myeloid leukaemia with the aim of identifying novel targeted strategies in order to improve treatment outcomes. Through recent academic appointments, we also have active research projects in chronic lymphocytic leukaemia and multiple myeloma. Our laboratory is based at the Medical Research Building on the Sussex University campus at Falmer which has state-of-the-art facilities. We maintain a tissue bank of patient blood and bone marrow samples and haematological cell lines and have published widely on our research. We have a number of collaborations with various other investigators in Brighton and elsewhere in the UK working in areas of epigenetics, signal transduction, genomic instability, DNA methylation, drug discovery, next generation sequencing, bone marrow microenvironment, and immunotherapies including CAR-T strategies. Professor Tim Chevassut has been chief and principal investigator on several clinical trials in AML through the Clinical Investigation Research Unit at the Royal Sussex County Hospital, including phase I and II studies. There are six other haematology consultants who collectively manage a busy level 2 haematology service and laboratory including flow cytometry. Dr John Jones has recently been appointed by BSMS and has an active research programme looking at the biology and treatment of multiple myeloma including CAR-T related projects. BSMS has also recruited Professor Chris Pepper and Dr Andrea Pepper, who have strong track records in research on chronic lymphocytic leukaemia with a particular focus on studying the bone marrow microenvironment and telomere biology in blood cancers, and Dr Simon Mitchell who works on mathematical modelling of lymphoma. Collaborative research opportunities are encouraged. Interested candidates are encouraged to look at the website or contact Dr Chevassut for further details. Previous experience with laboratory techniques and a good basic knowledge of molecular biology would be helpful. | |
| Structure of academic project/what expected This will be tailored to the individual. Most projects are experimental laboratory-based but clinical research opportunities can also be organised. | |
| Departmental academic teaching programme Participation in the “work-in-progress” research seminar series at Falmer and/or the Monday clinical educational lunchtime meetings at the hospital is encouraged. Trainees are also supported in attending the peer teaching sessions, academic training induction days, and end of year Brighton clinical academic conference. | |
| Academic Lead: Professor Timothy Chevassut MA FRCP FRCPath PhD Chair of Haematology and Director of Academic Training t.chevassut@bsms.ac.uk http://www.bsms.ac.uk/research/our-researchers/timothy-chevassut/ |