Senior Corneal Fellow | University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust

University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust is delighted to offer a fantastic opportunity to work with us.

Job Title

Senior Corneal Fellow

Start Date

September 2026 or ASAP

Contract Type

Fixed term

Duration

12 months

Purpose for Fixed Term

Training Contract

This post is appointed on a fixed-term basis for the primary purpose of providing structured training and supervised clinical development. While the postholder will contribute to service delivery, the overarching purpose of the post is to provide defined educational opportunities, supervised clinical practice, and experience aligned to the relevant specialty training curriculum

Please see below for detailed job description of the role.

University Hospital Southampton invites all applicants to our Senior Fellow position in the Corneal team within our tertiary Eye Unit. The post is for a 12-month fixed term period.

Why Us?

Our purpose-built Southampton Eye Unit has a new outpatient department & fully equipped operating theatres offering state-of-the-art facilities for both inpatient and outpatient care.

We have the latest imaging equipment, including OCTs, Optos, and digital slit lamps, ensuring we deliver the highest standard of care.

Our four fully equipped ophthalmic theatres boast cutting-edge technology, including Alcon Phacoemulsification machines and Ngenuity 3D viewing systems. With Leica Proveo 8 microscopes and intraoperative OCT capabilities, we prioritize precision and innovation in surgical procedures.

Diverse Patient Base

With over 120,000 outpatient visits, 6000 inpatients, 24,000 eye casualty cases annually, you'll have the chance to work with a wide range of patients.

This post is an excellent opportunity for a clinician to develop their research and clinical experience in ophthalmology. It is expected that the appointee will publish research papers during the time in the trust. The successful candidate will participate in ongoing clinical trials. There will be opportunities to participate and develop surgical skills.

As one of the largest acute teaching Trusts in England, we offer learning and development opportunities to help you achieve the career you aspire to. UHS is rated ‘Good’ by the CQC and in the latest national NHS Staff Survey, we were in the top 10 acute trusts for staff engagement and for staff recommending the hospital as a place to work or receive care.

We support flexible working and will consider requests taking into account the needs of the service. UHS employees are able to access a range of NHS discounts, are entitled to a minimum of 35 days paid holiday (pro rata), and we offer a generous pension scheme.

Southampton is an attractive place to live and work situated on the south coast, with an international airport and direct trains to London. The New Forest National Park and beaches of the Jurassic coast are also right on our doorstep. The city offers living costs 20% lower than London and 14 schools rated outstanding by Ofsted.

We believe that using technology wisely shows strong time management and commitment to innovation. However, personalising your recruitment application to highlight your unique skills and experiences is crucial. Relying too heavily on generic, AI-generated content instead of drawing from your own strengths and accomplishments may lead to your application being rejected if multiple candidates present identical or similar information.

This is a full-time post based at Southampton Eye Unit. The duration of the post is for 12 months. Southampton Eye Unit is a tertiary referral centre for corneal disease and ocular surface pathology. The referrals include a high number of emergency referrals typically including patients with corneal ulcers requiring in-patient treatment. This position offers you exposure to a wide range of complex corneal pathology and you will be expected to participate fully in clinical research. Southampton Eye Unit have established links with the University thus giving the opportunity to pursue corneal science research if desired.

You will be expected to be proficient at high volume cataract surgery. Surgical training will be provided in all forms of anterior segment and ocular surface surgery such as keratoplasty (including DMEK & DSEK surgery), Amniotic Membrane Transplantation, pterygium surgery, Collagen Cross-linking Therapy.

For an overview of the position, please refer to the attached Job Description and Person Specification document. This includes a detailed breakdown of the key responsibilities, role expectations, and the qualifications we are looking for. It outlines the essential criteria for the role and is designed to support you in preparing your application by helping you evaluate how your skills, experience, and professional background align with the requirements of the role.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Appointment will be made under local contractual terms and conditions of service for Trust appointed fellow doctors and dentists. Applicants requiring Skilled Worker sponsorship should ensure they meet the Home Office application criteria prior to submitting an application.

Successful candidates will have an educational framework equivalent to training grade doctors, and there will be a named educational supervisor assigned at the start of the post. The opportunity for Continued Professional Development (CPD) is highly supported and encouraged by the Trust, with options available to take study leave.

Grades for Trust appointed fellows will be paid a basic salary at a nodal pay point linked to the grade, at the rate set out in the National Medical and Dental pay circular. Basic salary plus any additional remuneration (as applicable) for hours set out in the doctors work schedule (e.g. additional hours, weekend allowance, and any hours which attract enhanced pay)

Salary will be assessed based on experience and skills. Eligibility criteria for appointment to a Nodal Point 5;

• Have a minimum of 6 years of Specialty training
• Hold relevant higher specialty exam (e.g FRCP, FRCA, FRCS)
• A portfolio of evidence that demonstrates they meet the criteria for progression (in line with the Curriculum for the speciality similar to deanery trainee)

Proposed interview date

15th July 2026

This vacancy closes on or before 22nd June 2026

This advert closes on Monday 22 Jun 2026