Specialised Foundation Programme
Each year, in Exeter, we offer two research-focussed posts on our competitive Specialised Foundation Programme (SFP), which provide protected time for a research project as well as training in clinical academic medicine. These posts provide an opportunity, early on, for some of our brightest graduates to carry out research.
These posts will be of particular interest to those aspiring to an academic career, but the research skills will be generic and the experience of benefit to anyone with an interest in health and health service research.
These specialised (academic) foundation trainees will work with internationally-renowned research teams across a range of specialties extending from laboratory science-based investigations to genetic epidemiology and from community-based to tertiary specialist services. We can offer projects in a wide range of subject areas, which can be tailored to the interests of the trainee.
About the programme
Each programme starts with a generic clinical F1 year comprising 3x4 month rotations. In F2, the pattern is for 2x6 months clinical posts with 1/3 of the time allocated to research. This research time can be organised flexibly, part of each week dedicated to research, or with longer blocks of research time, depending on the needs of the trainee and supervisors. One of the 6-month posts may be pre- determined by the trust and there is some choice for the second clinical post.
The clinical academic supervisors listed here, host academic foundation trainees and can often accommodate projects relevant to a range of clinical interests. However, there is a wide range of research undertaken in the University of Exeter and projects can often be arranged with other research teams if you have a particular interest.
A comprehensive list of eligibility criteria, both essential and desirable, can be found here but briefly, see below the key criteria:
- Applicants must meet the requirements set out in the UK Foundation Programme Eligibility Criteria.
- The applicant must have achieved, or expect to achieve, a primary medical qualification as recognised by the General Medical Council (GMC) by the start of the UK Foundation Programme.
- The applicant must be familiar with and be able to demonstrate an understanding of the major principles of the GMC’s Outcomes for Graduates 2018, alongside the requirements as set out in Promoting excellence: standards for medical education and training (2016) including the relevant core skills.
- The applicant must demonstrate skills in listening, reading, writing and speaking in English language.
- The applicant must demonstrate appropriate professional behaviour, i.e. integrity, honesty, confidentiality as set out in the GMC’s Good Medical Practice (2013).
- Key attributes, such as an understanding of the importance of the patient as the central focus of care, prioritisation of tasks, teamwork, communicate effectively, deal effectively with pressure, commitment to continued professional development and an understanding of equality and diversity principles.
Full details on the recruitment process, including the application and interview shortlisting procedures and timeline, can be found here. Further information outlined in the KFPO Applicant’s Handbook which is available on the UKFP website.
It should be noted that recruitment will be managed via the national online recruitment system, Oriel.
SFP posts are advertised on an annual basis, typically from mid-September to beginning of October, with interviews taking place in November and offers made in January.
Contact
If you’re interested in carrying out an SCFP at the University of Exeter, please contact Dr Angus Jones at angus.jones@exeter.ac.uk.
← Back to training pathways for doctors
