Background to the programme

Background to Edinburgh's Wellcome Clinical PhD programme

The ECAT programme offers successful candidates an unparalleled opportunity to undertake a Wellcome PhD for Health Professionals in a world-leading research centre at the University of Edinburgh.  The current programme builds on the principles of research excellence and mentorship developed over nearly 20 years since the programme was first established in 2008, with a strong emphasis on research inclusivity and a positive research culture.

The programme has grown and evolved over the last two decades, and today proudly offers PhD training opportunities for health and care professionals, encompassing primary care, public health and hospital specialties, veterinarians, nurses, midwives, allied healthcare professionals (NMAHPs), pharmacists, and healthcare scientists.  The diagram on the right shows the diversity of clinical disciplines and healthcare professions recruited to the programme to-date. Click here to see a larger image.

 

Clinical professions recruited to ECAT
Integrated clinical academic training pathway in Edinburgh

Every ECAT post includes a tailored lead-in period, depending on clinical specialty and professional background, when fellows are supported by a dedicated team of ECAT directors to explore PhD opportunities and settings.  This unique approach allows ECAT fellows to choose their own PhD project, supervisor and academic centre, thus developing independent, creative thinking from the outset.  After the PhD, ECAT clinical lecturers will have protected research time to CCT.   Click here to see a larger image.

 

Flexibility around less-than-full-time working, career breaks and varied career pathways means every ECAT fellowship is structured to suit the individual, with continual support, mentorship and supervision from the lead-in period, throughout the PhD and on into the postdoctoral phase.

To join the ECAT programme means joining a diverse cohort of successful individuals with a wide range of clinical backgrounds and scientific interests, providing opportunities for shared understanding and learning, developing an interdisciplinary and interprofessional clinical academic workforce with research that crosses-boundaries.

Edinburgh is a superb city and an excellent place in which to undertake research training, with ever increasing diverse opportunities. 

 

Read about the different posts on offer:

ECAT Clinical Lecturers typically enter the programme early in specialty training.  These posts include a lead-in year in which offers 100% accreditation for clinical training but also includes dedicated academic time to identify PhD supervisors and to develop a bespoke PhD project in one of the internationally competitive, multidisciplinary research centres at the University of Edinburgh.  After the lead-in period, ECAT Clinical Lecturers enter three years of full-time PhD training fully funded by a Wellcome PhD for Health Professionals.  Following the PhD, a guaranteed postdoctoral Clinical Lectureship to CCT (Certificate of Clinical Training) (+ 6 months) with protected academic time to maintain research momentum.


ECAT Veterinary Clinical Lectureships provide an introductory year with 30% time in relevant clinical specialty at the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies and 70% academic time to identify PhD supervisors and to develop a bespoke PhD project in one of the internationally competitive, multidisciplinary research centres at the University of Edinburgh.  After the lead-in period, ECAT Veterinary Clinical Lecturers enter three years of full-time PhD training fully funded by a Wellcome PhD for Health Professionals.  Following the PhD, up to three further years as a postdoctoral Clinical Lecturer or three years support to complete clinical specialty training and, with protected academic time, to initiate postdoctoral training and prepare applications for an intermediate fellowship or other academic post.


Typically aimed at GPs and NMAHPS who have completed their training, ECAT Clinical PhD Fellowships include a three-month full-time lead-in period to identify PhD supervisors and to develop a bespoke PhD project in one of the internationally competitive, multidisciplinary research centres at the University of Edinburgh.  Following the lead-in period, ECAT Clinical PhD fellows enter three years of full-time PhD training fully funded by a Wellcome PhD for Health Professionals.  After the PhD, further funding may be available to extend the fellowship.


This article was published on