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Report of the General Board on the establishment of a second Professorship of Clinical Oncology

The GENERAL BOARD beg leave to report to the University as follows:

1. During the last three years the School of Clinical Medicine has been successful in attracting a substantial amount of new funds to support the further development of cancer research. In particular, a new centre for translational research in cancer, funded mainly by the MRC and from a donation from Hutchison Whampoa (see the Second Report of the Council on the development of the Island Site at Addenbrooke's Hospital, Reporter, 1998-99, p. 239), was established within the Clinical School in 1999.

2. The Department of Oncology currently has an establishment consisting of a Professorship of Clinical Oncology, the Ursula Zoëllner Professorship of Cancer Research, three University Lectureships and a Clinical Lectureship. The Department's current research strengths, particularly in the field of cancer genetics, have enabled the development of new methods of early diagnosis and the facility to match the selection of treatment to the molecular profile of individual tumours, which should soon be translated into practical applications. The establishment of a second Professorship of Clinical Oncology forms part of the Clinical School's plans for strengthening the clinical academic infrastructure, which is of strategic importance to the centre for translational research in cancer, and also to other major potential developments to be centred on Cambridge. A second Professorship of Clinical Oncology would also form a key element in enhancing opportunities in the research centre for advances in the treatment of cancer patients, through the creation of a new interface between basic research and clinical practice.

3. The Faculty Board of Clinical Medicine expect that the holder of a second Professorship of Clinical Oncology would be involved in undergraduate and postgraduate clinical teaching and would play a major role in the selection, training, and supervision of clinicians undertaking research for a Ph.D. or M.D. Degree within the Department and its associated laboratories, and in the supervision of the Specialist Registrars in clinical and medical oncology. The holder of the Professorship would be required to provide clinical leadership to develop the research infrastructure and to lead the training of junior medical and associated staff. He or she would also be expected to conduct clinical research in his or her own field of specialism, and to take the lead in building multidisciplinary specialist clinical teams to provide a focus both for clinical excellence and for research within each of the major common cancer areas.

4. The General Board have accepted the case made by the Faculty Board. Funding of £100,000 a year for each of the next ten years has generously been made available by a private benefactor in order to support the full cost of the establishment of the proposed Professorship, at Consultant level, for this period. The Faculty Board of Clinical Medicine have undertaken to meet the cost of the office in the event of any shortfall in funds and also to identify funds to support the Professorship for the remainder of the tenure of the person appointed. The General Board are assured that suitable accommodation for the Professor is available and that the necessary support can be provided. The Board have noted that the Addenbrooke's NHS Trust have agreed to award an honorary NHS contract at Consultant level to the Professor and to provide access to relevant clinical facilities. The Board are satisfied that an appointment at this level will be likely to attract a strong field of well-qualified candidates.

5. The General Board accordingly propose that a second Professorship of Clinical Oncology be established in the University from 1 October 2000 for one tenure, and be assigned to the Department of Oncology. They have agreed to concur in the view of the Faculty Board of Clinical Medicine that election to the Professorship should be made by an ad hoc Board of Electors and that candidature should be open without limitation or preference to all persons whose work falls within the general field of the title of the office.

6. The General Board recommend:

That a second Professorship of Clinical Oncology be established for one tenure from 1 October 2000, placed in Schedule B of the Statutes, and assigned to the Department of Oncology.

26 April 2000

ALEC N. BROERS, Vice-Chancellor
P. J. BAYLEY
A. L. R. FINDLAY
KEITH GLOVER
MALCOLM GRANT
BRIAN F. G. JOHNSON
JOHN A. LEAKE
PETER LIPTON
N. J. MACKINTOSH
ADRIAN POOLE
KATE PRETTY
M. SCHOFIELD

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Cambridge University Reporter, 17 May 2000
Copyright © 2000 The Chancellor, Masters and Scholars of the University of Cambridge.