Academic Clinical Lecturer (ACL)
Academic Clinical Lecturer (ACL) posts are higher level research training posts that are intended for doctors who have a PhD or MD and who are already undertaking a higher specialist training programme (with the exception of GPs). GP ACLs are slightly different - these posts also require a PhD or MD, but are only open to doctors who have completed their GP training (or will have done so in the near future).
The positions last for up to four years and provide 50% protected research time and 50% clinical training (clinical service provision for GPs) which will take most people to their Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT) or thereabouts. ACLs are employed by the University of Exeter and as such they have full access to the research resources the University of Exeter has to offer. In addition, ACLs must have an honorary contract with the NHS Trusts in which they work to enable them to conduct clinical work.
In addition to an MD or PhD, successful applicants for ACL posts usually have an established area of research interest and a track record of successfully completed research that has led to research publications and presentations at national and international conferences. Some applicants have a track record of grant funding; though not essential to apply for an ACL post, this is a distinct advantage for the selection process.
During the ACL appointment, trainees are expected to continue to work in their chosen area and often to exhibit leadership in that research area. As such, ACLs are usually expected to develop their own research ideas, design their own research studies, convene teams with the appropriate expertise, apply for funding and lead in the conduct of the research and the dissemination of the research findings.
There will be opportunities to deliver teaching and ACLs are encouraged to take advantage of these, alongside opportunities for training in higher level research skills, such as in research leadership and management. Furthermore, all ACLs will have access to £1000 per year to attend conferences and meetings.
It should be noted that about half of our ACL positions are funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), with the rest funded from a variety of local sources.
There are a range of possible avenues for career progression following an ACL. Some ACLs take up a research active consultant post in the NHS. Others may apply for further research fellowships to lead programme of research; and some may apply for senior clinical academic positions (e.g., Senior Clinical Lecturer) focussed on research and teaching. The Clinical Academic Training team will support ACLs with advice and guidance about post-CCT career development and opportunities.
All ACLs have an academic supervisor at Exeter. By the time trainees become ACLs, they may have identified a range of possible supervisors (for example, from their previous ACF or PhD). Other ACLs may be branching out in different research directions or be joining us from another institution. For these ACLs, the IAT lead will be happy to support the trainee to find an appropriate academic.
ACLs are also encouraged to seek separate academic mentorship, independent of the supervisory team, aimed at supporting the individual to develop their career as an independent researcher. Please see our Training and Support pages for details of available mentoring programmes, for example, via the Academy of Medical Sciences.
A comprehensive overview of the eligibility criteria can be found on the NIHR website, but please see below the key requirements:
- NIHR CL posts are only available to medically-qualified candidates. For other health and care professionals, the HEE/NIHR Integrated Clinical Academic (ICA) Programme offers a similar training pathway.
- Doctors wishing to apply for an NIHR CL must already hold or have already submitted their PhD of MD thesis or equivalent in a relevant subject area and must be at a minimum level of ST3. Successful candidates may not take up their post until their PhD or MD has been fully awarded.
- Specialist Registrars (SpR) or Specialty Registrars (StR) may apply to this scheme. General practitioners (GPs) that have completed their clinical training may apply to this scheme.
ACL 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 ACL Guidance webpage.
The full list of NIHR ACL posts will be available on the NIHR website IAT page, where ACL applicants will be directed to the Oriel application system.
The recruitment window, occurring on an annual basis, is typically between March and September, where candidates must commence in post between April and September.
Contact
If you are interested in carrying out an ACL 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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