Academic Clinical Fellows (ACF)
NIHR Academic Clinical Fellowships (ACFs) are specialty training posts that incorporate academic training. Medical ACFs spend 75% of their time undertaking specialist clinical training and 25% undertaking research training.
ACFs are only available to medically qualified candidates and are aimed at those who, during the early stages of their specialty training, show outstanding potential for a career in academia. ACFs have a maximum duration of three years, or four years for GPs. 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 PhD or MD). Success in these applications is defined as the endpoint of an ACF.
NIHR does not see immediate success of obtaining a PhD (or postdoctoral) fellowship as the only successful endpoint to an ACF. Trainees may need to continue in clinical training before applying for, or taking up, such a training fellowship, dependent on their current situation. The uptake of a fellowship, either immediately, or at a later date is considered to be a successful ACF outcome.
The arrangements regarding clinical and academic time for ACF posts are agreed at a local level with academic and clinical leads and should be organised to ensure trainee-centred flexibility with protected time for research.
Keele Medical School has ACF across number of specialities:
- Cardiology - led by Professor Mamas Mamas
- General Practice - led by Professor Joanne Protheroe and Professor Carolyn Chew-Graham
- General Psychiatry - led by Professor Saeed Farooq
- Medical Education - led by Dr Peter Yeates
- Obstetrics and Gynaecology - led by Dr Pensee Wu and Professor William Parry-Smith
- Paediatrics - led by Dr Fran Gilchrist
- Public Health - led by Professor Zafar Iqbal and Professor Ross Wilkie
- Renal - led by Dr Mark Lambie
- Rheumatology - led by Dr Ian Scott
- Trauma & Orthopaedics - led by Geraint Thomas
- Platform Science - led by Professor Danielle Van der Windt and Professor Kelvin Jordan
How to apply
Applications for our 2025 Academic Clinical Fellows (ACF) posts will open in October 2024, details of which will be found at Workforce Deanery.
For further information or an informal discussion regarding the Academic Clinical Fellows (ACF) posts available, please contact Professor Joanne Protheroe on j.protheroe@keele.ac.uk or Olena Cresswell on o.cresswell@keele.ac.uk.
Further questions?
Please review the NIHR IAT Guide for detailed information about the programme.
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"The NIHR Clinical Lectureship in GP at Keele University has allowed me to flourish as an early career clinical academic in primary care with a specialist interest in sport, exercise and musculoskeletal medicine. I have worked with world leading clinical academics in primary care and musculoskeletal medicine as well as 'big data'. I would particularly like to mention the support provided to me by Prof Mallen, Prof Roddy and Prof Jordan, amongst others, which has really been above and beyond - thank you. These collaborations have lead to publications in high-impact journals which will be REF-returnable. I have also collaborated with these colleagues in developing future research projects, including taking advantage of the research 'think tank' sessions and the expertise that sits within the Clinical Trial Unit at Keele University. The administration support for these research projects has been outstanding and significantly helped me in these application processes. I would thoroughly recommend a clinical academic career at Keele University due to the collegial, supportive and high level academic environment within the school of medicine. "
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"I have been successful in obtaining both an IPF and CL post at Keele. I have always had the very best opportunities for learning and received constant support from the team at Keele, allowing me to move from pre-doctoral study to post-doctoral research, seamlessly blending with my clinical work as a local GP. ICAT at Keele provides a solid foundation for a successful career in clinical academia, equipping students and staff with the knowledge, skills and experiences necessary to make meaningful contributions to research for the benefit of patients and the NHS."
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"Getting the chance to undergo an Academic Clinical Fellowship through ICAT at Keele University has been an incredible opportunity. I have been able to broaden and develop my research interests. I feel incredibly lucky to complete my ACF at Keele. There is a vast range of research opportunities and expertise to learn from and build my research skills. Everyone I have worked with at Keele has been friendly and approachable - it is a great academic community to be a part of. As part of my ACF I have had the opportunity to undergo a PgCert in Clinical Education. I would definitely recommend any GP trainee with an interest in research to apply for an ACF at Keele University. "