London Cartilage Clinical Fellowship

Company Description

London Cartilage Clinic is a specialist centre focused on cartilage care, joint preservation and regenerative orthopaedics, it is part of MSK Doctors and Associates Ltd. founded by Professor Paul Lee and based at 66 Harley Street, London.

The clinic combines specialist orthopaedic care with advanced imaging, regenerative medicine, musculoskeletal research and emerging technologies designed to preserve natural joints and improve long-term function.

Prof Paul Lee is recognised as an International Cartilage Regeneration & Joint Preservation Society (ICRS) Teaching Centre of Excellence, the clinic contributes to clinical education, research and the development of advanced cartilage and joint-preservation practice.

The wider clinical and research network also includes MSK Doctors in Lincolnshire, where fellows may participate in additional clinical work, research, motion analysis, imaging and computer-vision projects.

Role Description

The London Cartilage Clinical Fellowship is a full-time, 24-month clinical and academic fellowship primarily based at the London Cartilage Clinic, Harley Street.

The role is specifically designed for an early-career doctor who wishes to develop expertise in regenerative orthopaedics, cartilage treatment, joint preservation, sports medicine and musculoskeletal research.

The successful candidate will work closely with Professor Paul Lee and the wider multidisciplinary team.

Day-to-day responsibilities may include:

• participating in specialist outpatient clinics;
• undertaking supervised musculoskeletal assessment;
• reviewing imaging and investigations;
• supporting patient follow-up and treatment pathways;
• assisting with regenerative and image-guided procedures;
• assisting in theatre where appropriate;
• participating in multidisciplinary case discussions;
• supporting peri-procedural and postoperative care;
• contributing to cartilage and joint-preservation treatment pathways;
• participating in clinical research, audit and service evaluation;
• collecting and analysing clinical outcome data;
• contributing to scientific abstracts, posters and manuscripts;
• participating in teaching and educational activities; and
• supporting innovation projects involving imaging, motion analysis and artificial intelligence.

The majority of the fellowship will be based in London.

The successful candidate will also be expected to spend some time at MSK Doctors in Lincolnshire, including clinical and research activity in Grantham and work with the Computer Vision Laboratory in Sleaford.

The fellowship is structured over two years, with the opportunity to progress from Clinical Fellow in Year 1 to Senior Clinical Fellow in Year 2, subject to satisfactory performance and competency review.

Clinical responsibility will increase progressively according to experience, demonstrated competence, GMC status and local governance arrangements.

Qualifications

• Recognised medical degree such as MBBS, MBChB, MD or equivalent.
• Completion of an appropriate internship or foundation-equivalent period of clinical practice.
• Strong foundation in general medicine and clinical assessment.
• Genuine interest in orthopaedics, sports medicine, musculoskeletal medicine, cartilage care or regenerative medicine.
• Excellent spoken and written English, with the ability to communicate professionally, clearly and confidently with patients, colleagues and external professionals.
• Previous customer-service or patient-facing experience is highly desirable and will be considered an important part of the selection process.
• Ability to provide a high standard of personalised service appropriate to a specialist private healthcare environment.
• Strong interpersonal skills, including empathy, professionalism, discretion and attention to patient experience.
• Ability to explain complex clinical information in clear, understandable language.
• High standards of clinical documentation and professional correspondence.
• Ability to communicate effectively by telephone, email and face-to-face.
• Strong teamwork and multidisciplinary communication skills.
• Interest in clinical research, audit and evidence-based medicine.
• Willingness to participate in teaching, academic work and professional development.
• Ability to work safely under supervision and recognise personal limitations.
• Strong analytical ability, attention to detail and professional standards.
• Eligibility to obtain appropriate GMC registration and a licence to practise before commencing UK clinical duties.

What We Value Most

Although clinical knowledge is important, this fellowship is designed around potential, professionalism and trainability rather than seniority.

We are particularly interested in candidates who demonstrate:

• exceptional communication skills;
• a strong customer-service mindset;
• professionalism and discretion;
• warmth and confidence when dealing with patients;
• reliability and attention to detail;
• willingness to learn;
• adaptability;
• intellectual curiosity;
• research interest; and
• genuine enthusiasm for regenerative orthopaedics and joint preservation.

The successful candidate will be working with patients in a specialist private clinical environment, and therefore patient experience, communication and professionalism are considered essential components of the role.

Previous Experience

Previous NHS experience is not required.

Previous UK employment is not required.

MRCS is not required.

FRCS is not required.

CCT or specialist registration is not required.

Previous experience in cartilage surgery, regenerative medicine, musculoskeletal ultrasound or private practice is advantageous but not essential.

International medical graduates are encouraged to apply.

Visa sponsorship may be available for a suitable international candidate, subject to eligibility.

Working Pattern

This is a structured fellowship role with a predominantly planned daytime working pattern.

There is:

• No on-call commitment
• No night shifts
• No rotating shift pattern
• No emergency rota
• No routine weekend rota

The fellowship is primarily based around scheduled outpatient clinics, research, procedures, theatre activity, teaching and academic work.

Some flexibility may occasionally be required for planned clinical lists, educational events, conferences or research activity, but the role is not designed around shift work or unsocial-hours service provision.

The majority of activity will take place during normal working hours.

Desirable Attributes

We are particularly interested in candidates who are:

• ambitious;
• adaptable;
• clinically careful;
• intellectually curious;
• research-minded;
• interested in innovation;
• willing to learn;
• comfortable with new technologies;
• enthusiastic about regenerative medicine and joint preservation; and
• motivated to develop a distinctive long-term career in musculoskeletal medicine.

Prior experience in orthopaedics, sports medicine, emergency medicine, general surgery, rehabilitation medicine or musculoskeletal care would be helpful, but the fellowship is primarily designed around potential and trainability rather than seniority.

Fellowship Development

The fellow will receive structured mentorship and progressive clinical development in areas including:

• cartilage pathology;
• joint preservation;
• regenerative orthopaedics;
• orthobiologics;
• sports medicine;
• musculoskeletal ultrasound;
• advanced imaging;
• research methodology;
• scientific writing;
• artificial intelligence;
• markerless motion analysis; and
• emerging minimally invasive regenerative technologies.

Protected research and academic activity will form part of the fellowship.

Location

Primary location: London Cartilage Clinic, 66 Harley Street, London.

Additional clinical and research activity: MSK Doctors, Grantham and Sleaford, Lincolnshire.

Applicants must be willing to travel between London and Lincolnshire when required.

Duration

24 months, full-time.

Salary

Approximately £52,000–£60,000 per annum, depending on experience, responsibilities and applicable sponsorship requirements.

Application

Applicants should submit a CV and short supporting statement outlining:

• their clinical background;
• their interest in regenerative orthopaedics and joint preservation;
• any research or academic experience;
• their current GMC registration status or intended route to registration; and
• why they wish to undertake the London Cartilage Clinical Fellowship.