Clinical Academic Training at Cambridge offers exciting and challenging opportunities to pursue an academic career alongside clinical training.
There are 3 key pathways:
- Specialised Foundation Programme
- Academic Clinical Fellowships
- Clinical Lecturerships
Specialised Foundation Programme (SFP)
The Cambridge Specialised Foundation Programme (SFP) supports training and recruitment to posts in Health Education East of England’s East Anglian Foundation School and Bedfordshire, Essex and Hertfordshire Foundation School.
It is aimed at doctors who are considering a career path as a clinical academic.
Specialised foundation doctors follow the same curriculum and must attain the same outcomes as other foundation doctors but, in addition, they undertake academic research.
A place on the SFP offers the opportunity to spend protected time on academic research. At Cambridge, this will comprise one 4 month rotation during FY2. The remaining five rotations will be clinical attachments, during which clinical competencies must be met.
Academic Clinical Fellowships (ACF)
An Academic Clinical Fellowship (ACF) offers the opportunity to spend 25% protected time on academic research. The remaining 75% will be spent in clinical training, during which time clinical competencies must be met. An ACF is funded for up to 3 years (4 years for General Practice) and many posts are offered at CT1 or CT2, with guaranteed run-through in the specialty specified. However, there are some specialties which require trainees to have completed their core competencies and these posts will be advertised at ST3 or ST4.
Academic Fellowships are part of the NIHR’s Integrated Academic Training Pathway. Each year, NIHR allocate a number of (formula) posts to Cambridge and also invites Cambridge to bid for additional (competition) posts in priority themes. In addition, individual departments can provide funding for Local ACF posts.
Clinical Lectureships (CL)
A Clinical Lectureship (CL) offers the opportunity to spend 50% protected time on academic research. The remaining 50% is spent on clinical training, during which time clinical competencies must be met. A CL is funded for up to 4 years and trainees must hold a PhD when appointed. Most trainees will obtain their CCT during their Clinical Lectureship.
CLs are part of the NIHR’s Integrated Academic Training Pathway. Each year, NIHR allocate a number of funded posts to Cambridge. In addition, individual departments can provide funding for Local CL posts.
Wellcome Trust PhD Programme for Clinicians
This Programme offers training for clinicians in subjects that span the research spectrum from basic science to epidemiology and public health.
For more information on the programme please see: https://www.mrl.ims.cam.ac.uk/postgraduate-study-at-the-mrl/wellcome-trust-clinical-phd-programme/
For more information on applying please see: University of Cambridge Course Directory
Clinical Academic Training Enquiries
Clinical Academic Training Office
University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine
Box 111, Cambridge Biomedical Campus
Cambridge, CB2 0SP
Email: CATO@medschl.cam.ac.uk
Tel: 01223 761494
