- Academic Foundation Programme: research and teaching taster in F1–F2.
- Academic Clinical Fellowship (ACF): a funded research-and-training post during specialty training that can lead to a PhD.
- Clinical Lectureship (CL): a post-PhD academic training post with protected research time.
- Clinician scientist and senior lecturer posts: the path toward professor.
- Apply early: academic posts are very competitive and run on separate timelines.
Is it for you?
- You need curiosity, patience for slow results and an ability to write grants and papers.
- ACF posts typically protect about a quarter of your time for research across three years; clinical lectureships protect more. Check current terms with NIHR.
- Competition is high, so build research experience early: an intercalated degree, a publication or a research placement helps.
Many academic doctors move between clinical and research posts and some become professors. Others return to full-time clinical work with a stronger evidence base and teaching skills.
This page is general education, reviewed 24 October 2026. Rules, fees and dates change: always confirm with the official sources below. It is not medical, legal or immigration advice.