Clinical Academic Training Pathway
The Academic Department of Radiology offers opportunities for those wishing to pursue a career in academic medicine through an integrated academic training pathway that combines clinical and academic activities at all levels of training. The clinical component of the academic training is managed by Health Education East of England (HEEE) and the academic training is supervised by the Clinical School.
Academic Clinical Fellowships
Academic Clinical Fellowships in radiology are specialty training posts that combine academic and clinical training and run for a maximum of 3 years. Academic Clinical Fellowships are funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) and are available to medically qualified candidates who show outstanding potential for a career in academic radiology. NIHR Academic Clinical Fellows (ACFs) spend 75% of their time undertaking specialist clinical training and 25% undertaking research or educationalist training. During this time, alongside clinical training, ACFs will be able to develop their academic skills and be supported in preparing an application for a Research Training Fellowship (to undertake a higher research degree). Medically qualified candidates already holding a higher degree are also eligible to apply.
Academic Clinical Fellowship posts are allocated yearly and managed by the NIHR Trainees Coordinating Centre (NIHR TCC) nationally and by the Clinical School and The Clinical Academic Training Office (CATO) locally. Recruitment to ACFs is managed locally and precedes the national recruitment round for specialty training in clinical radiology. Further information on ACFs can be found here: ACFs.
Academic Clinical Lectureships
Clinical Lectureships are open to senior specialty trainees who have completed a research doctorate or equivalent and show outstanding potential for continuing a career in academic medicine. These posts are typically of 4-year duration with 50% clinical activities and 50% protected research time. The trainees complete their clinical training during their lectureship and become eligible for specialist registration. Clinical Lectureships are University of Cambridge appointments, some being funded by the University (Clinical Lecturer posts) and others by the NIHR (Academic Clinical Lecturer posts). The aim of the CL / ACL programme is to facilitate the trainee to move into a substantive intermediate fellowship, clinician scientist award, or University lecturer post. Further information on CLs and ACLs can be found here: ACLs.
Academic Foundation Years
This is a two-year programme with 4 months protected research time during the second year of Foundation Training to undertake a research project in radiology. These opportunities are available to medically qualified candidates enrolled into Foundation Training. Further information can be found here: AFYs.
In addition to these core pathways there are a number of other opportunities to pursue academic interests such as post-specialty training fellowships (Cross-sectional imaging, Neuroradiology, Breast Imaging, Interventional and Chest imaging) and medical student electives. These opportunities become available intermittently and interested candidates should contact Email: Justin Cross in the first instance.
Further information can be found at:
Clinical Academic Training Office –Clinical academic training – University of Cambridge – School of Clinical Medicine
Royal College of Radiologists – https://www.rcr.ac.uk/clinical-radiology/specialty-training/resources-trainees/research-trainees
