What are Academic Clinical Fellowships?
NIHR Academic Clinical Fellowships (ACFs) are tailored training posts, which incorporate components of academic training. ACFs are designed for clinically qualified candidates who can demonstrate outstanding potential for a career in academic medicine or dentistry.
Fellows spend 75% of time undertaking specialist clinical training and 25% in research or educationalist training. A fellowship lasts for a maximum of 3 years (4 years for General Practitioners).
A fellow develops their academic skills, alongside being guided and supported through the Research Training Fellowship application process, to apply for funding to undertake a higher research degree (usually a PhD); or supported to gain a place on an educational programme (leading to a higher degree).
ACF trainees are encouraged to undertake the newly designed Research Methods online modules, which cover different generic research skills, such as presentation giving, writing grants and applying to ethics committees. Contact Hayley Keenan, Student Experience Administrator, 0151 794 5780.
Securing an ACF appointment is competitive. It is not essential, but an advantage for applicants to already hold a degree such as a MRes, MPhil or MSc and show other evidence of research activity, particularly published work.
Funding and support
If you are a NIHR-funded ACF you are entitled to £1000 per annum to attend approved academic conferences and training courses.
How to apply
- Posts are advertised nationally in October/November and begin in August.
- All jobs are now advertised on the national website for doctors in training: https://www.oriel.nhs.uk/Web/
- Recruitment for ACF posts linked to Liverpool University is co-ordinated via St. Helens and Knowsley NHS Foundation Trust, as the Lead Employer Service for trainees primarily based in the Cheshire and Mersey region.
- Mersey appoints 6 to 10 ACFs per year across varying specialties.