Eligibility

Find out if you are eligible to apply

Essential attributes for all posts:

Fellows must be practicing healthcare professionals and be registered with a national professional regulatory body (e.g. the General Medical Council, Health and Care Professions Council) in the UK/Republic of Ireland.
Aspiring to a clinical academic career.
Evidence of high academic distinction and potential (first class honours BSc, honours MBChB, multiple prizes, research papers, etc).
Introductory research experience at BSc or MSc undergraduate research project, postgraduate research with high attainment.
Of a standard likely to be successful in obtaining a training fellowship in national open competition.

Applications are welcome from candidates from ALL regions of the UK.

A Skilled Worker Visa is an essential requirement for non-UK citizens.

Candidates who have already undertaken a period of full-time research leading to a doctoral degree are not eligible to apply.

Applications are welcome from trainees in ALL specialties.

You must have (or obtain by the start date of the post) a specialty training position with a National Training Number (NTN) in your chosen discipline in the UK (if you are a GP it is anticipated that you will join the programme post-CCT)
You must be GMC-registered and must be practicing clinically in the UK
You must have relevant clinical experience in your chosen specialty
You must be eligible for higher specialist clinical training

Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) check required.

Attribute	Essential	Desirable
Education, qualifications & training	Eligible for higher clinical training Candidates must hold (or obtain by the start date of the post) a specialty training position with a National Training Number (NTN) GMC registration Evidence of high academic distinction and potential (first class honours BSc, honours MBChB, multiple prizes, research papers, etc) Introductory research experience at BSc or MSc undergraduate research project, postgraduate research with high attainment Candidates for all posts must be GMC-registered and be practising clinically in the UK	Evidence of distinction in career to date, e.g. prizes, awards, bursaries
Knowledge & Experience	Aspiring to a clinical academic career Of a standard likely to be successful in obtaining a Training Fellowship in national open competition	Ability to deliver research that can be published in leading academic publications Successful record of writing and presenting research Proactive and efficient administrative ability Experience in undergraduate teaching or postgraduate teaching Publication record
Academic Achievements	Evidence of conducting research	Publications in peer-reviewed journals Presentations of research at conferences Active in attracting grant funding
Motivations	Committed to a career in academic medicine
Skills	Excellent communication skills Excellent command of the English language, with the communication skills necessary to carry out duties safely and effectively

Applications are welcome from trainees in ALL specialties.

Typically you will be in the early years of specialty training at the time of application (internship, or 2-3 years postgraduate) but consideration will be given to those at more advanced stages of training (eg completed residency) who are committed to an academic career.

Aspiring to a clinical academic career
Eligible for higher clinical training
Evidence of high academic distinction and potential (first class honours intercalated BSc, honours, multiple prizes, research papers, etc)
Introductory research experience at BSc/MSc or undergraduate research project, with high attainment
Of a standard likely to be successful in obtaining a Training Fellowship in national open competition

Disclosure Scotland check required.

These posts provide research opportunities for registered health and care professionals, including: allied health professionals (art therapists, chiropodists/podiatrists, dieticians, drama therapists, music therapists, occupational therapists, operating department practitioners, orthoptists, osteopaths, paramedics, physiotherapists, prosthetists and orthotists, radiographers, and speech and language therapists) chiropractors, clinical psychologists, dentists, dental hygienists, dental nurses, dental therapists, general practitioners, healthcare scientists (in life sciences, physiological sciences, physical sciences and biomechanical engineering, and bioinformatics), health visitors, midwives, non-medical public health specialists, nurses, optometrists and dispensing opticians, osteopaths, pharmacists, social workers, pharmacy technicians and practitioner psychologists.

Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) check required.

Attribute	Essential	Desirable
Education, Qualifications & Training	Fellows recruited to a Programme must be practicing healthcare professionals and be registered with a national professional regulatory body (e.g. the General Medical Council, Health and Care Professions Council) in the UK/Republic of Ireland. Educated to post-graduate diploma/ Masters level Show evidence of further education including Continuous Professional Development in relevant area	Evidence of distinction in career to date, e.g. prizes, awards, bursaries
Knowledge & Experience	Academically ready to undertake a PhD Aspiring to a clinical academic career Of a standard likely to be successful in obtaining a Training Fellowship in national open competition	Ability to deliver research that can be published in leading academic publications Experience of writing and presenting research Proactive and efficient administrative ability Experience in undergraduate teaching or postgraduate teaching
Academic Achievements	Evidence of conducting research	Publications in peer-reviewed journals Presentations of research at conferences Active in attracting grant funding
Motivations	Committed to a career in academic medicine
Skills	Excellent communication skills Excellent command of the English language

This article was published on 2026-03-06

Registered Medical Practitioners

Veterinary Surgeons

NMAHPs (Nurses, Midwives, Allied Health Professionals, Healthcare Scientists, Pharmacy Staff and Psychologists)