FAQs

For candidates in Higher Specialist Training

ECAT Clinical Lectureships are designed for registered medical practitioners with an NTN (National Training Number).  The Clinical Lectureship offers a contract of employment until CCT (+ 6 months) which includes a three-year PhD funded by Wellcome and a one-year lead-in period with an 80/20 (clinical/academic) split.  Candidates must have an NTN to apply.  If a successful applicant is from elsewhere in the UK, we would endeavour to move their training to SES in conjunction with the Scotland Deanery.  Clinical training and progression would continue in SES to CCT.  Following the PhD, ECAT Clinical Lecturers will return to clinical duties (80%) and continue to have 20% protected research time in order to further develop their research and work towards an intermediate fellowship application. 

For GPs and NMAHPS who have completed their training

The PhD Fellowship offers a 39-month contract of employment which includes a three-year PhD funded by Wellcome and a three-month full-time introductory research period. After the PhD, fellows may apply for a research extension, facilitating access to postdoctoral research time.

Yes.  We work closely with the Postgraduate Dean in SE Scotland and we will do our best to accommodate your training number if you are successful in being offered a Clinical Lectureship.  Alternatively, we would offer you an ECAT Clinical PhD Fellowship.

Typically, you will be in the early years of specialty training at the time of application, but consideration will be given to those at more advanced stages of training (eg ST4 or early years of SpR training), who are committed to an academic career. 

Yes. 

There are three application streams and you should apply to the relevant stream for your professional background (i.e. ECAT Clinical PhD Fellowships for Health and Care Professionals).

Yes.

There are three application streams and you should apply to the relevant stream for your professional background (i.e. ECAT Clinical Lectureships for Medical, Surgical and Primary Care Professionals).  

Yes.

There are three application streams and you should apply to the relevant stream for your professional background (i.e. ECAT Veterinary Clinical Lectureships).  

Yes, you need to be or become a Member of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (MRCVS) prior to the start of the programme. Please see the RCVS website for more information (https://www.rcvs.org.uk/registration/)

You can perform any speciality training available at the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies. This is not limited to a specific species or speciality. 

Yes, you can apply to the program as long as you have not already completed a PhD.

No, it is not necessary to set out any PhD plans in your supporting statement.  Dedicated academic time in the first year allows fellows to design their own project, supported by the ECAT directors.  This is a unique selling point of the programme, and one of its strengths.  You should use the supporting statement to detail your experience and aspirations as a clinical academic.

Yes.

Yes, we welcome applications from candidates all over the UK.
However, if successful, you will be expected to move to Edinburgh to take up your post.  Unfortunately, we cannot help with the cost of relocation.

No.  Candidates must be a practicing healthcare professional in the UK/Republic of Ireland.  Candidates must also 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.

SCREDS Clinical Lectureships are postdoctoral positions offered by the University in collaboration with the Scotland Deanery.  Further information is available here:  SCREDS Clinical Lectureships

Getting early experience in research, eg during an intercalated BSc or other project, is invaluable.

Engaging with a variety of small projects in summer vacations helps you to develop your ideas about what sort of researcher you want to be.

You might consider studying for a Masters degree, particularly if it is relevant to training in your specialty and gives you an opportunity to undertake research. 
 

We are happy to chat to prospective candidates. Please get in touch using the “Contact us” button at the bottom of this page.

You are welcome to re-apply, but you must be able to demonstrate your progress since your last application. If you plan to submit the same application with the same supporting statement, you are unlikely to be shortlisted.