The NIHR Clinical Lectureship is one phase of the Integrated Academic Training Pathway recommended in the report “Medically- and dentally-qualified academic staff: Recommendations for training the researchers and educators of the future”. This report was produced by a joint Sub-Committee of the UK Clinical Research Collaboration (UKCRC) and the NHS Modernising Medical Careers (MMC) to recommend initiatives that integrate the development of academic skills with each of the key stages of a clinician’s career.
Clinical Lectureships represent the second substantive phase of integrated clinical and academic training, which is intended to follow on from the Academic Clinical Fellowship phase. Clinical Lectureships are intended for those who can demonstrate outstanding potential through success at doctoral research and who show further potential for development as a clinical academic in research and/or education.
Clinical Lectureships are available to trainees that have made satisfactory progress in both academic and clinical training and have completed a higher research degree. Trainees will have completed their Foundation Training and in most cases made substantial progress in their specialist training. GPs will have completed their vocational training. Exceptional candidates who are nearing the end of their vocational training may be considered.
Posts Available
Details of any available posts currently recruiting can be found at HR Job Search.
Clinical Lecturers at Warwick Medical School
Warwick Medical School currently has several Clinical Lecturers across a range of specialities:
The NIHR provides £1,000 per financial year per trainee to Warwick. Warwick is responsible for managing the bursary fund and approving expenditure against the bursary. The bursary cannot be used for consumables and can be used for attending academic meetings and conferences that are an important part of your training.
Each summer you will also be asked to complete an Output Report detailing your academic related achievements over the past year (such as publications, grants awarded) to help us evaluate individual and programme success.
Mentoring Options
ACLs are encouraged to pursue mentoring via any of the following:
What is the purpose of a NIHR Clinical Lectureship (CL) post?
A NIHR CL post provides opportunities for post-higher degree research and facilitates applications for further research funding for doctors and dentists working towards completion of specialty training. Posts have 50% protected academic time.
FAQs
Is a NIHR CL a 4 year post?
NIHR CL posts are for up to a maximum of 4 years or until CCT is reached, whichever is sooner.
FAQs
What if I don’t already have an NTN?
If you do not already have a NTN, the Postgraduate Deanery will assign NIHR CL trainees a national training number with the exception of GPs and GDPs. In addition, you will be assigned the suffix of (a). A NTN(a) identifies you as an academic clinical trainee.
FAQs
Will being in academic training mean my expected CCT date is put back?
Progression to CCT is competency based not time based so having time protected for academic training should not affect CCT date provided the required clinical competencies are met. However, for some craft specialties clinical training may take longer. The most appropriate CCT date should be agreed with your Postgraduate Dean or Postgraduate Dental Dean.
FAQs
What happens if I reach CCT before the maximum of 4 years in post?
There is a six month period of grace which is automatically afforded to trainees upon reaching CCT. If you are still within the maximum 4 year duration of the NIHR CL post, your Postgraduate Deanery may request an extension from NIHR TCC on your behalf. Requests for extension are considered on a case by case basis and written support from all members of the organisational partnership (University/Deanery/Trust) confirming their commitment to you remaining in post will be required. To avoid future difficulties it is advisable to confirm the expected CCT date before accepting the NIHR CL position. It may be the case that other forms of support for your academic aspirations would be more appropriate. For further details please contact NIHR TCC.
FAQs
Can I go out of programme in a NIHR CL post?
Trainees may wish to obtain relevant research experience at another institution. This is acceptable if it can be accommodated within the 50% academic time of the post and has the agreement of the Academic Programme Lead and Postgraduate Dean or Postgraduate Dental Dean. Trainees can still apply to the Postgraduate Deanery to go out of programme for other reasons; however the NIHR CL post will finish and you will return to clinical training on your return. Out of programme experience must not be used to delay CCT dates.
FAQs
What happens to my NIHR CL post if I go out of programme to complete a full-time Clinician Scientist or similar Fellowship?
Your NIHR CL post will finish and you will return to clinical training following completion of the Fellowship.
FAQs
What is the NIHR bursary for?
The NIHR bursary provides trainees with a source of funding to attend meetings and conferences that are relevant to academic training.
FAQs
How much money is available and how do I access it?
The NIHR provides £1,000 per financial year per trainee to your host Medical or Dental school. The Dental or Medical school is responsible for managing the bursary fund and your Medical or Dental school is therefore responsible for approving expenditure against the bursaries. Unclaimed bursary funds currently remain with the Medical or Dental school for use on activities that benefit the academic development or training of the NIHR CL trainees.
FAQs
Can I use my bursary for consumables?
No, the bursary cannot be used for consumables.
FAQs
What if I don’t have any meetings or conferences to attend this year?
Attending academic meetings and conferences is an important part of your NIHR CL training and if you do not attend meetings or conferences in any particular year this does not mean you can spend the money on something else. Locally within Warwick we allow you to ‘role over’ funding from one year to the next; however the absolute limit cannot be over run.
FAQs
Can I apply to the bursary fund more than once/every year?
Your medical/dental school will clarify the process for applying. Locally we allow you to apply for bursary funding more than once, but again up to the limit of the bursary you are allocated.
FAQs
Can I change the academic/clinical time split from blocks to days per week or vice versa?
Yes, but only with the agreement of the local Academic programme leads. Academic training time must fit in with clinical rotas and with the other academic trainees in local programmes. Academic time can be organised in various ways including: • 2 ½ days per week; • Monthly or yearly blocks.
FAQs
Who do I talk to about changing the time split?
Arrangements regarding time splits for NIHR CL posts are agreed at a local level. Please contact your academic and clinical leads, as well as the Postgraduate Deanery.
FAQs
Can I take maternity leave during my NIHR CL post?
Yes. Maternity leave is governed by the terms and conditions of service associated with your contract. As with any employment, you have the right to return to the NIHR CL post on the same terms and conditions after ordinary or supplemental maternity leave. You should be aware, however, that as your substantive employer will now be a university your previous service in the NHS will not normally count towards your entitlement to maternity leave and pay.
FAQs
Can I change to working part-time if my circumstances change during my NIHR CL post?
Yes, but this must be agreed at a local level before starting part-time working. Please contact your academic and clinical leads as well as the Postgraduate Deanery.
FAQs
Does the NIHR pay for my research expenses?
No, the NIHR supports bursaries and research training programmes, but not research expenses, including consumables.
FAQs
What does the NIHR pay for?
The NIHR pays the university employer for the full salary costs of the trainee (for both clinical and academic elements), bursary for conference and travel. In addition, the NIHR provides financial support to the Deanery for the management of the NIHR CL programme. NIHR also provides support for the Academy of Medical Sciences Mentorship and Outreach Scheme and the NIHR Trainees Leadership Programme. Both are available to NIHR CLs.
FAQs
Do the NIHR pay banding?
No, this should be negotiated locally with the Trust.
FAQs
Who should my employment contract be with?
NIHR CLs are usually employed by a University; however NIHR CLs may remain employees of a NHS Trust.
FAQs
If I remain employed by a NHS Trust, should I have an honorary contract with the University?
In principle, yes. If this is not possible the university must ensure you have access to the university facilities eg: libraries, IT support, and training and support with research governance.
FAQs
If I am employed by a University, should I have an honorary contract with the NHS Trusts in which I work?
Yes, you must hold honorary contracts in the NHS Trusts in which you work, both for seeing patients, for pay progression and for recognition of continuous service in the NHS.
FAQs
Who should I speak to about obtaining an honorary NHS contract?
Ideally it should be part of the contract package given to you at the start of the lectureship. If it is not you should approach your clinical supervisor in the first instance.
FAQs
Who should I speak to if I am having difficulty managing my research and clinical commitments?
In the first instance you should address your concerns to your academic and clinical Leads who are responsible for managing the balance of your academic and clinical training needs or requirements.
FAQs
What if I continue to have concerns?
You should raise your concerns with the postgraduate deanery.
FAQs
What is the role of the NIHR TCC in managing the NIHR CL programme?
The NIHR TCC is responsible for: • Working with Deanery, Medical and Dental Schools and NHS partnerships to deliver the NIHR CL programme across England. • Producing national guidance for recruitment, monitoring and development of the programme. • Supporting trainees through its conference and other events. The NIHR TCC is not responsible for: • Employment contracts. • Local negotiations or decisions relating to clinical commitments or how your time is organised. However, we are always happy to provide you with information or direct you to the most appropriate local contact.
FAQs
What is the annual NIHR TCC trainees’ conference?
NIHR organises an annual conference for all NIHR trainees including NIHR CLs in post. This conference is an opportunity to learn more about the NIHR, network with fellow trainees from all disciplines and present your own research.
FAQs
Can I apply for an Inter-Deanery transfer as a NIHR CL trainee?
Yes. You may apply for an inter-deanery transfer as set out in the Gold Guide or Dental Gold Guide. For information about how to transfer the academic component of your training please contact NIHR TCC.
FAQs
How can I contact the NIHR TCC?
By email to: IATenquiries@nihrtcc.org.uk Telephone: 0113 346 6260 Website: (http://www.nihrtcc.nhs.uk/intetacatrain/)
FAQs
How can I get in contact with other NIHR CLs, either within my own specialty area or across a mix of specialties?
NIHR TCC has set up a site including discussion areas for all Integrated Academic Training CLs on the NIHR Portal. For further details please contact: IATenquiries@nihrtcc.org.uk.
FAQs
How do I get more information on the Leadership Programme?
Details are available on the NIHR TCC website.
FAQs
How do I apply for one of the Academy of Medical Sciences/ Wellcome Trust starter grants?
Details are available on the NIHR TCC website.
FAQs
Where can I get help in applying for NIHR research grants?
The NIHR has established a new network of Research Design Service (RDS) to help researchers develop and design high quality research proposals for submission to national, peer-reviewed funding competitions for applied health or social care research. Further details are available on the NIHR website Here
FAQs
What information is available on the nihrtcc website?
