ECAT-i (Edinburgh Clinical Academic Track – inclusive) is the University of Edinburgh’s exciting academic track for all Veterinary, Medical and Surgical specialties, as well as General Practitioners and Health and Care Professionals. The programme aims to build on the principles of research excellence and mentorship developed during the successful ECAT Wellcome Trust Clinical PhD programme, with a strong emphasis on research inclusivity and a positive research culture.
Joining the prestigious ECAT-i programme involves undertaking a Wellcome PhD for Health Professionals in a world-leading research centre at the University of Edinburgh, with combined clinical training and practice.
Recruitment for the August 2025 intake will take place in the autumn.
Applications will be invited from:
- Medics, Surgeons and General Practitioners
- Health and Care Professionals
- Veterinarians
All applications should include CV and supporting statement (300 words).
If you have any questions about the new programme, please contact the Programme Manager in the first instance.
Eligibility
ECAT clinical lectureships
Typically, you will be in the early years of specialty training at the time of application, but consideration will also 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.
- Applications are welcomed from trainees in ALL specialties and from ALL regions of the UK. The diagram to the right shows how almost half of successful ECAT fellows were not based in Edinburgh at the point of application. Click the link below for a larger version of this diagram.
- All applicants must be eligible for higher specialist clinical training.
- All applicants must hold a medical degree.
- All applicants must be eligible to work in the UK.
ECAT PhD fellowships
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.
- Candidates for ECAT PhD fellowships must hold a National Training Number (NTN).
- Applications are welcomed from trainees in ALL specialties and from ALL regions of the UK.
- All applicants must hold a medical degree.
- All applicants must be eligible to work in the UK.
ECAT veterinary clinical lectureships
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.
- Applications are welcomed from trainees in ANY clinical discpline and from ALL regions of the UK.
Essential attributes for all posts
- Aspiring to a clinical academic career.
- Eligible for higher clinical training.
- 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.
- Trainees who have already completed a full-time period of research leading to a doctoral degree are not eligible for the ECAT scheme.
- All applicants must be eligible to work in the UK.
Application procedure
Recruitment takes place in the autumn for intake in the following August (clinical lecturehsips) and November (PhD fellowships). Vacancies will be advertised on the following websites:
Applications should be submitted, along with a supporting statement (around 300 words) and CV, using the University’s online application system. All applicants will be notified if they have been shortlisted for interview or not. Shortlisted candidates will be invited for interview in front of a panel comprising the ECAT directors, associate directors and an invited external panel member. All shortlisted candidates will be notified if they have been successful at interview or not.
Questions about the recruitment procedure and entry requirements are welcomed and should be directed, in the first instance, to the Programme Manager, Joanne Ness.