NIHR Academic Training Programme opportunities available

Hull York Medical School has a number of training opportunities available through the NIHR Integrated Clinical Academic Training Programme - providing healthcare professionals with the opportunity to develop skills for a career that combines clinical research and leadership alongside clinical practice.

Professor Fliss Murtagh, Professor of Palliative Medicine at Hull York Medical School is Academic Training Programme Director. She says:

Healthcare is changing rapidly and in order that we can continue to develop new ways to diagnose, treat and care for patients we need doctors who are able to challenge existing methods and undertake research to develop new interventions. At Hull York Medical School we are focused on supporting doctors to develop their academic skills so that they might pursing their careers as clinical academics and ultimately undertake research which will make a lasting difference.

The Medical School, in partnership with local NHS trusts and Health Education England Yorkshire, offer opportunities to train as part of the NIHR Integrated Clinical Training Programme at three levels; the Academic Foundation Programme (AFP) which gives foundation doctors the opportunity to develop research, teaching and leadership/Management skills; the Academic Clinical Fellowship (ACF) which allow medical trainees at the early stages of their speciality training to undertake 25% research and 75% clinical training over three years; and Clinical Lectureships (CLs) which are awarded for up to four years to speciality trainees who have completed an MD or PhD and are at least a year prior to completing their training.

Current opportunities available for August 2022 entry include Academic Clinical Fellowships in paediatrics, clinical radiology, renal medicine, respiratory medicine, anaesthetics and infectious diseases.

Dr Stephanie Hill is currently undertaking an Academic Clinical Fellowship. She says:

I applied for an Academic Clinical Fellowship as I wanted to strengthen my knowledge and confidence in research methods and critical appraisal of research, so I could deliver excellent research and improve the care I provided for my patients. Since starting on the academic pathway, I have been provided with support, opportunities and excellent training to develop as a researcher, including the opportunity to undertake an MSc. In the future, I hope to grow as a clinical academic doing research that is focussed on improving care for patients not only locally, but nationally and internationally.

Hull York Medical School offers a stimulating and supportive environment in which to undertake academic training and research. The School’s clinical and academic researchers have a global reputation for their work which is advancing improvements in healthcare – diagnosis, treatment and care. From supporting individuals with life limiting illnesses and their families, to changing the way cancer is understood diagnosed and treated, to developing interventions to improve mental health and tackle addiction, and new scientific discoveries, they are impacting local, national and international health agendas. Academic trainees also benefit from the expertise and support offered the School’s partner Universities, and a wide clinical base in which to study multiple aspects of health as a result of its partnership with regional NHS Trusts and community healthcare providers.

Further information about the NIHR Academic Training Programme opportunities can be found on the Medical School website or contact ATPadministration@hyms.ac.uk. Applications close at 16.00 on 2 November 2021.