18 Months, Specific Purpose Whole-Time Post
Position Summary
Second trimester pregnancy loss - investigation, management and care.
Pregnancy loss is the most common complication of pregnancy. Overall, 0.5-1% pregnancies end in pregnancy loss in the second trimester with a 5-7% recurrence risk for second trimester miscarriage and an overlapping causative aetiology with both preterm birth and stillbirth. Clinical presentations of second trimester pregnancy loss can be mixed and difficult to interpret, emphasising the challenges of identifying multiple contributory pathologies. Investigation of second-trimester miscarriage is often incomplete, and the lack of consistent availability of perinatal pathology services has precluded post-mortem examination at early gestations. Finally, the absence of a universally agreed classification for second-trimester pregnancy loss also results in discrepancies and misclassification in published literature. Understanding the precise cause of second-trimester miscarriage through a complete process of investigation is crucial for guiding management in and counselling for subsequent pregnancies. There is also a dearth of research on experience of second-trimester miscarriage; available evidence demonstrates deficits surrounding communication and information, and a lack of compassionate psychological follow-up care. There is a lack of knowledge and awareness of second trimester miscarriage, with people often unprepared for the realities of such losses including labour and birth.
Further research, specifically focussed on second trimester pregnancy loss is required and can have an important contribution to clinical current practice, standardising investigations and care. This project aims to explore lived experiences of second trimester pregnancy loss and to review medical inpatient management issues, focusing on complications that cause morbidity and prolonged hospital stay. Findings from perinatal pathology reviews of second trimester loss over 15 years will be examined and reported to additionally inform and evaluate a new clinico-pathological classification system for second trimester pregnancy loss to guide management in future pregnancy. Research outputs will include academic papers and a national clinical guideline as well as policy guidelines for registration of second trimester pregnancy loss.
INFANT is now accepting applications for a Clinical Research Fellow to work on this research area, with the aim of pursing a higher degree in Obstetrics.
Project Title: Feilecain Project
Post Duration: 18 Months Whole-Time Post
Salary: €65,237 - €71,085 per annum (IUA Research Fellow Scale)
For an information package including further details of the post see https://ore.ucc.ie/
Informal enquiries can be made in confidence to Prof Keelin O’Donoghue Email: K.Odonoghue@ucc.ie
Applications must be submitted online via the University College Cork vacancy portal (https://ore.ucc.ie/). Queries relating to the online application process should be referred to recruitment@ucc.ie, quoting the job-title and project name.
Candidates should apply, in confidence, before 12 noon (Irish Local Time) on Friday 13th June 2025.
No late applications will be accepted.
Please note that an appointment to posts advertised will be dependent on University approval, together with the terms of the employment control framework for the higher education sector.
UCC is committed to creating and fully embracing an inclusive environment where diversity is celebrated. As a University we strive to create a workplace that reflects the diversity of our student population where people from a wide variety of backgrounds learn from one another, share ideas, and work collaboratively. UCC is committed to being an employer that recognises the value of diversity amongst its staff. We encourage applicants to consult our policies at https://www.ucc.ie/en/edi/policies/ and initiatives at https://www.ucc.ie/en/edi/implementation/ and we welcome applications from everyone, including those who are underrepresented in the protected characteristics set out in our Equal Opportunities & Diversity Policy.
UNIVERSITY COLLEGE CORK IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES EMPLOYER