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Research Fellow Scheme

The Research Fellow Scheme is designed to allow time to develop into a research leader with good knowledge and insight into the research process and to become an ambassador for the NIHR CRN. This will in turn build future research capacity in the NHS whilst supporting and developing recruitment into NIHR portfolio studies. The posts are each funded equally between CRN Thames Valley and South Midlands (CRN TV&SM) and a partnering CRN TV&SM Partner organisation.

Who can apply?

Post-graduates training in 1) medicine or 2) nursing / allied health professions are eligible to apply. The applicant will need to demonstrate that at least 50 percent of their time will be dedicated to supporting recruitment into NIHR portfolio studies. Applications are welcome from individuals in primary, community or secondary care.

Financial Support

Successful applicants will receive funding of up to £40,000 per annum dependent on salary, profession and training at time of application. The award will be equally funded by CRN TV&SM and the ‘host’ organisation (see below). The CRN funded portion of the candidate’s time must be spent on supporting or developing recruitment into NIHR portfolio studies. For the other 50 percent of their time the candidates may undertake NHS clinical duties or pursue other research activities. Applicants will have to submit signed agreement from the partnering organisation that they have secured funding for the other 50 per cent of their time. If staff of higher grades (whom have been in post less than three years), wish to apply, please be specific in the application form how the finance shortfall will be managed as TV&SM are unable to fund above £40, 000.

Role of the Sponsors

Each applicant should have a named sponsor to support their application. A sponsor is a senior, permanent member of staff in a CRN TV&SM partner organisation. The sponsor will be a principal or chief investigator for a NIHR portfolio study and who will commit to facilitate and support the research fellow on the scheme. They will also advise on the research training and supervision arrangements, which will be key to the success of the fellowship. Applicants must consult their sponsor in respect of their proposed application prior to submitting the application.

Role of host organisation

Awards within the scheme are made to individuals and ‘hosted’ by the CRN TV&SM Partner organisation where the sponsor is located. Applicants are expected to make their own arrangements for acceptance in the nominated NHS organisation.

Scheme Leadership

The scheme has oversight from the executive and clinical specialty leads of the CRN TV&SM. The leadership group will liaise with the sponsor to ensure that there is appropriate clinical support and provide an oversight of portfolio research activity of the research fellows.

Tenure of award

The duration of the award is for one year

Part time working arrangements

Applicants may wish to undertake their award on a part-time basis. The cost of the award should be requested on a pro-rata basis. Applicants who wish to undertake the scheme on a part time basis should consider carefully how they will manage the award and agree a plan with their sponsor.

Review of Progress

Award holders will be required to provide a quarterly progress report. In addition award holders will need to attend events organised by CRN TV&SM for the cadre of fellows, together with their sponsoring clinician and we would expect them to present on what they have achieved under the scheme at a CRN meeting towards the end of their tenure.

Research Training

The sponsor and CRN TV&SM leadership team will ensure successful candidates have appropriate research training competencies as required that may include: literature review, protocol design, ethics application, data management, documentation, PPI involvement, funding, safety, recruitment, consent, delivery, statistics, dissemination and knowledge transfer with assessment of research impact.

Application Process

TV&SM CRN advertise these posts annually and the next cohort will be advertised in January 2020.

The applications will be assessed by an expert panel who will undertake interviews of shortlisted candidates and recommend funding.

Outcome of the assessment applicants will be informed as soon as a final decision has been taken on their application.

For further details please contact Andrew.protheroe@ouh.nhs.uk or Nancy.hopewell@ouh.nhs.uk