Academic Clinical Fellowships (ACF)
Academic Clinical Fellow (ACF) posts are designed for medically qualified individuals who demonstrate outstanding potential for a career in academic medicine. These posts enable doctors to undertake fully integrated academic and clinical training, with a focus on gaining research experience and developing an application for a PhD fellowship.
About the programme:
The NIHR ACF programme lasts for a maximum of three years (for all trainees other than GPs). ACFs spend 75% of their time undertaking clinical training and the remaining 25% of their time is protected for research activities. Depending on the specialty, ACFs can begin anywhere between ST1 and ST4. Part time trainees are welcomed, and research time remains available in the same proportion (25%) but offered pro rata and for a longer, equivalent training period, depending on hours worked.
For GPs, appointments can be made at ST1, ST2 or ST3 level. GP ACFs will spend 4 years in training rather than three, and with ST3 and ST4 split equally between clinical training and academic activities. GP ACFs will undertake ST1 and ST2 in the same way as their non-academic colleagues and may use this time to work with supervisors to begin to work up academic activities.
Importantly, both the clinical and academic components of ACFs training are funded (usually) by the National Institute of Health Research (NIHR). Since the funding of ACF posts is separate from funding for more usual clinical training posts, this means that academic time can be protected, even when clinical services are under considerable stresses. As such, clinical academic trainees can expect to have regular research time, and not to lose this due to the demands of clinical services, except in truly extraordinary circumstances. Whilst patient safety remains a core priority for all doctors in clinical practice, these posts recognise the importance of research and research training in the economy of the NHS.
ACFs are employed by the NHS and enjoy all of the same employment rights as their clinical training colleagues. However, ACFs also hold an honorary contract with the University of Exeter which provides access to the University’s resources (library, laboratory space, IT support etc).
All ACFs have access to the below funds:
- £4500 allowance over their three years training (four years for GPs) to attend courses relevant to their training needs (for example, additional Masters level modules that can contribute to the full Master degree)
- £1000 per year to attend conferences, meetings, travel etc.
As an ACF, you can expect:
Each ACF is expected to attend masters level modules from Exeter’s Masters in Health Research Methods, usually in their first and / or second year covering basic research methods.
These modules are funded by the medical school and funding is not taken from trainees training budget or travel bursary (see below for more details).
Modules include: Fundamentals of Research Design; Systematic reviews for Policy and Practice; Statistics as Applied to Health; Qualitative methods and process evaluation. These modules, when completed successfully, entitle trainees to a Postgraduate Certificate in Health Research Methods. All trainees are strongly encouraged to take further modules to achieve the full Masters, for which some funding can be taken from the training budget provided by the NIHR.
Whilst the modules listed are the ones most chosen by trainees, it is important to note that this training is flexible and can be modified to best meet the training needs of the individual. Trainees with extensive previous research methods training, that covers topic listed above, may wish to choose from other Masters level modules available from the University.
All ACFs are required to have an experienced researcher as their academic supervisor. Some trainees have already identified a potential supervisor prior to joining the scheme. Others require some assistance to find a suitable person. The Integrated Academic Training lead and the wider Clinical Academic Training programme are happy to help new ACFs with this process. Trainees are expected to meet regularly and frequently with their academic supervisors. Trainees will also need to liaise with their academic supervisor and obtain an academic supervisor report as part of the process of preparing for their Annual Review of Competency Progression (ARCP).
Throughout their training, ACFs are encouraged to gain experience in a wide range of relevant research, to gain understanding in the choice of research methods and the implications of these choices. ACFs will do this in two main ways: 1) by undertaking the recommended Masters modules and/or additional courses, depending on their training needs 2) by working with their supervisor to gain experience of ‘real-life’ research, for example by assisting with existing projects or in the set-up of new research. By the second year, ACFs are expected to be developing research ideas themselves and to be engaging in small projects of their own, under the guidance of their academic supervisor. This will lead to outputs such as publications and presentations which can strengthen future applications for funding and/or PhD fellowships. In the third year, these smaller projects may lead to trainee to develop their own PhD application (see below).
Currently Exeter hosts two mandatory meetings per year, which allow clinical academic trainees to meet each other, to undergo required training (induction etc) and to have the opportunities to present and discuss their research. Trainees are strongly encouraged to join our active peer network, which includes ACFs and ACLs in all years of their training. This provides an important resource for advice and support.
ACF posts are designed to equip clinical academic trainees with the skills to develop an application for a PhD fellowship for the next step in their clinical academic career. Whilst not all trainees decide to study for a subsequent PhD, those wanting to remain on the clinical academic career pathway are energetically supported to write an excellent PhD fellowship proposal during their time as an ACF. Academic supervisors, the IAT lead, and the wider Clinical Academic Training team are available to offer advice and guidance on the range of PhD fellowship opportunities. We also hold regular seminars on applying for fellowships.
For current ACFs, a list of Frequently Asked Questions is available here.
Also see
Eligibility criteria:
ACF posts are open to individuals entering medical specialty training and those who are currently in medical Specialty training Registrar (StR) posts and hold a National Training Number or Deanery Reference Number (whatever the specialty or locality).
ACF applicants would not normally be expected to hold a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) or other higher degree, but applicants may include:
- Bachelor of Medicine (MB) PhD graduates and those with an intercalated PhD.
- Doctors who have previously undertaken an MD or PhD may apply to continue postdoctoral research.
- Medical graduates who obtained PhDs prior to medical undergraduate training – their PhD may or may not be considered relevant by the appointments committee.
ACF posts are secured via a competitive interview process, managed by Health Education England South West. Full details on the recruitment and selection process, alongside FAQs can be found on the NIHR ACF Guidance webpage.
The full list of NIHR ACF posts will be available on the NIHR website IAT page, where ACF applicants will be directed to the Oriel application system.
'The application window, occurring on an annual basis, is typically from the beginning of September to the beginning of October, followed by interviews from mid-October until mid-January and offers issued in January.
Contact
If you have questions about the ACF programme at the University of Exeter, please contact Associate Professor Tamsin Newlove-Delgado at T.Newlove-Delgado@exeter.ac.uk for further details.
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