Research experience is very important in pursuing a career in academic medicine, and you will need more skills than an intercalated BSc can provide. The route into a career in academic medicine usually involves serious commitment, and undertaking a higher research degree (MD/PhD) alongside your clinical training.

What does medicine bring to your scientific research?

"As a clinician treating women with breast cancer, I am acutely aware that while we have made real leap forwards in treating breast cancer, there are still many unanswered questions and ultimately still too many lives lost to this disease. The only way forward to ensure that we develop better treatments and save more lives is through scientific research; namely, to understand what drives a cancer to behave the way it does and what we can do to reverse this behaviour". 

Dr Carlo Palmeiri, Clinical Senior Lecturer, Cancer Research UK Fellow and surgeon.

What does doing science bring to your clinical practice?

"As a scientist you realise how many questions need answering, and that getting an answer is rarely simple or straightforward. But when a question is answered the direct and indirect effects can be profound and result in a change that touches many lives into the future".

Dr Carlo Palmeiri, Clinical Senior Lecturer, Cancer Research UK Fellow and surgeon.

Whilst it can be difficult managing the balance between clinical work and academic work, many clinicians find academic research to be a challenging and fulfilling career.

“When I look back at my 31 years in academic medicine I know that I wouldn’t have changed a minute of this”

Prof Barry Hancock, Professor of Clinical Oncology, University of Sheffield

In 2005 the BMA commissioned a report on careers in academic medicine, and their website details several case studies of role models from many specialities.

This resource gives personal case studies written by senior academics from a range of specialities; all of whom have become eminent clinical academics by hard work, and have a great sense of enjoyment and passion for their research. Peter Weissberg, cardiologist and currently chief clinician of the British Heart Foundation, and Professor Barry Hancock, molecular oncologist (quoted above), are just two inspiring role-models listed by the BMA.

"I currently spend 75% of my time in the research laboratory and 25% of my time working clinically. It’s really important to have the time protected to undertake my research as I know that when it comes to publishing our data we are up against scientists who are working 100% in the lab!”

Christina Thirlwell, Clinical Senior Lecturer, Cancer Research UK Fellow and medical oncologist.

Being a clinical academic is not an easy option. You are aiming to be both a respected clinician and also a respected academic.

There is no easy route into a career in academic medicine, but there is support out there.

Since 2007 the integrated academic training path has provided one route for clinicians who want to undertake research. It is worth remembering that you can pursue research throughout your specialist training and you don’t always have to be on an NIHR funded Academic Clinical Fellowship to undertake a period of research.

The National Institute of Health Research (NIHR) runs Academic Clinical Fellowship and Academic Clinical Lectureship schemes, and many charities and funding bodies within the UK also provide additional personal fellowship schemes. Professional bodies, including the Royal Colleges, support clinical academics and the Academy of Medical Sciences campaigns for the development, protection and promotion of careers for academics. Input from clinical academics is vital at every research stage; from early biomedical research understanding disease pathways, through to drug development and personalised medicine. Clinical academics exist in all specialties from anaesthetics to epidemiology, from surgery to public health (Fig.1).

Doctors who have completed their foundation programme or who are part way through their specialty training could enter at the NIHR Academic Clinical Fellowship level. Those already in possession of a PhD/MD are more likely to be eligible for NIHR Clinical Lecturer posts.

Entry to the Integrated Academic Training scheme is through competitive recruitment, which is now coordinated by the NIHR Trainees Coordinating Centre and undertaken by local education and training boards (LETBs).

Some newly qualified medics embark on the academic foundation programme, and details can be found via the LETBs. Remember, just because you weren’t on an academic foundation programme doesn’t mean you can’t still become involved in research!

The National Institute of Health Research funds dedicated Integrated Academic Training posts which are managed through university, NHS trusts and LETB partnerships. The training posts include

·     NIHR Academic Clinical Fellowships (ACFs)

·     NIHR Clinical Lectureships (CLs)

If you are a clinician committed to combining research with clinical practice then there are many career opportunities available which can help you achieve your goals.

In the UK, most clinical academics have an honorary contract with the NHS, are registered with the GMC and/or have a national training number (NTN). Some clinicians get involved in research early in their training; however you can also pursue research during your specialist training period.

To undertake a period of research you often need to work within a higher education institute, such as a research institute, or university. There are some research jobs advertised for clinicians, but you will often have to negotiate with your NHS team to undertake research. You can do this by applying for money from other research funders.

Research funders in the UK include many charities (e.g. British Heart Foundation, Cancer Research UK), government funded agencies (MRC, BBSRC) and independent funders (e.g. Wellcome Trust). 

These research funders, support clinical academics through competitive personal funding schemes which are available at every career stage. Cancer Research UK, for example, offers funding to support clinicians from any speciality at all career levels who are working on an appropriate cancer based research question.

Different levels of personal research support available include:

·     A Research Training Fellowship (to undertake a minimal amount of clinical work whilst completing a research based higher degree)

·     A Clinician Scientist, or Intermediate Fellowship (where you usually spend between 50-80% of your time on research, and the remainder in the clinic)

·     A Senior Clinical Research Fellowship, or academic post at a university. By this stage you are responsible for running your own research team, and are usually managing several members of staff and undertaking various projects.

Not all clinicians who pursue research go through a standard NIHR scheme (e.g. Academic Clinical Fellowships). Some local education and training boards (LETBs) support flexible opportunities to experience research before committing to a PhD. Most research funders offer support throughout your career from being a clinical PhD student, through to being a senior clinical research fellow. However, some funders offer pre PhD bursaries for clinicians to experience a period of research prior to submitting a PhD application.

Cancer Research UK, for example, considers applications twice a year for their Research Bursary scheme. Offering up to £25,000 this allows trainee clinicians a chance to 'buy out' their time from the clinic to try a research project. Those who have already been accepted onto an NIHR funded Academic Clinical Fellowship can also apply to Bursary schemes to cover the costs of their research.

If you are a clinician with an interesting research question, the first thing to do is talk to academics already working in this field. This might be at your hospital or university or elsewhere. Try to find out what else is going on in that field, and talk to a mentor who will be able to support you through an application process. Competition for fellowships and bursaries is tough, but there are many opportunities available.

Depending on your career stage you could apply for an NIHR post; these are advertised when available and you apply as you would a training post.

Most research funders see applications for their schemes once or twice a year, and expect a detailed application form to be submitted. Your mentor can help you with this process.

What to think about when you are applying for academic medicine funding

1.   Make sure your research fits that funder’s remit. Government funding agencies and charities will have a specific research focus or remit. For instance Cancer Research UK funds cancer relevant research. If your research question doesn’t fit that funder’s remit, your application won’t be considered.

2.   Talk to people about where the best place might be for you to undertake this research and who else might need to be involved; do you need to involve other senior clinicians? Do you need additional support staff to assist you?

3.   There is no perfect way to write an application, but careful planning goes a long way. The first step is always READ THE APPLICATION GUIDELINES. It is obvious to a funder when an application has been rushed! Make sure you write a clear research proposal that fits the funders’ requirements. Your mentor or research supervisor can help you with this. Make sure what you’re proposing can be practically achieved in the period of funding you are requesting. Make sure you’re asking for a suitable amount of funding for the research costs.

4.   Asking other researchers to proof read your application, in addition to your supervisor/mentor, can be vital.

5.   Finally, make sure you meet the submission deadline! Then cross your fingers.

Where can I find our more information?

Many funders detail their fellowship schemes online. They are also often advertised in major research journals or the BMJ careers section. You could also use local contacts, such as senior academics you know, to ask how they followed their career.  It is worth looking for information as early as possible, as many funders only consider applications once a year.

British Heart Foundation - Clinical research training fellowships

Cancer Research UK - Clinical research career awards

Medical Research Council - Clinical research training fellowship

Wellcome Trust - Clinical fellowships

and many other smaller charities.

Useful terms

Research funder- agency who will provide funds to pay for a clinician’s salary while they work in clinic and research

NIHR- National Institute of Health Research http://www.nihr.ac.uk/

The goal of the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) is to create a health research system in which the NHS supports outstanding individuals, working in world class facilities, conducting leading edge research focused on the needs of patients and the public.

HEFCE- The Higher Education Funding Council for England distributes public money for teaching and research to universities and colleges.

SFC- Scottish Funding Council- The Scottish Further and Higher Education Funding Council is the national, strategic body that is responsible for funding teaching and learning provision, research and other activities in Scotland