King’s College London NIHR RESEARCH TRAINING FELLOWSHIP FOR GRADUATE ALLIED HEALTH PROFESSIONALS, NURSES, MIDWIVES AND PHARMACISTS IN CLINICAL RESEARCH AND TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE 2014 1. BACKGROUND King’s College London (KCL), funded by the National Institute in Health Research, is offering 1 Clinical MRes Fellowship for nurses, midwives, pharmacists or allied professionals. The King’s College London Clinical MRes Fellowships are funded by the NIHR. The Clinical MRes is an interdisciplinary programme aimed at preparing Graduate Healthcare Professionals across a broad range of disciplines for a clinical academic career. For these individuals, the development of an incisive cutting edge research project is given priority. After Clinical MRes there is potential to work on developing a doctoral fellowship application by collaborating on an established topic with two clinical academic supervisors to build a high quality research project capable of attracting funding from the NIHR or other funders. This call for Clinical MRes, funded by the recent NIHR award, is one of several training programmes funded by the NIHR. Specifically, we seek to appoint 1 fellowship to undertake ONE YEAR full time or TWO YEARS part time of protected research training in areas closely aligned to Clinical research programmes. It is anticipated that during the period of the fellowship the successful candidate will be expected to 1) complete core training modules towards the award of an MRes, 2) actively pursue a research project offered by KCL. 2. OUTLINE OF THE CLINICAL MASTERS IN RESEARCH FELLOWSHIP For more details about the Clinical MRes please see the following link: http://www.kcl.ac.uk/prospectus/graduate/clinical-research The NIHR has a strong commitment to training and capacity building in clinical academic research. Candidates will be expected to choose a research project offered by one of the Clinical academic research teams. To facilitate training in clinical academic research, trainees will have dual supervision by an academic and a clinician. It is anticipated that during the one year period of the Clinical MRes Programme successful candidates will be expected to: Complete core modules in advanced quantitative and advanced qualitative research methods, towards the award of an MRes, plus at least one other module of their choice from a wide range of available health related modules across the KCL health schools. Actively pursue their research project and submit a dissertation. A list of possible research projects to choose from will be sent to candidates called to interview. Prepare scientific/research data to be presented at internal and external meetings in relation to the programme of research where relevant. Actively participate in School and Departmental research meetings as appropriate. After successfully completing the course, the opportunity to prepare a research fellowship application for submission to an external funding body, such as a Research Council, Charity or NIHR, to support a further period of research and, where relevant, use this funding to support a 3 year full-time or 5 year part-time, PhD programme. 3. FUNDING AVAILABLE Under this clinical research fellowship programme, we are seeking to appoint 1 Clinical MRes Fellow to undertake clinical research Funding under this scheme provides: 1) a salary for one year full time or part-time equivalent, according to the level of experience. 2) Payment of tuition fees 4. ELIGIBILITY The scheme is open to allied healthcare professionals, nurses, pharmacists and midwives from across the UK/EU (as defined by the UK National Institute of Health Research http://www.nihrtcc.nhs.uk/cat/eligibility). We are particularly keen to identify those health professionals who have a clinical commitment which does not allow them the protected time to develop their research careers. Previous research experience is desirable. Candidates should have: Relevant professional qualification or degree (equivalent to first class or upper second) Registration with relevant professional body Eligibility and experience at a level appropriate for registering for a higher degree (e.g. MRes and PhD) Worked in NHS for minimum of 12 months Those who have already applied to the 2014 NIHR or BRC Fellowships need not apply. 5. HOW TO APPLY To apply please send a CV and a personal statement (maximum 500 words) explaining why you wish to apply for the Fellowship and highlighting any research experience you have to date to mresapplication@kcl.ac.uk, along with a signed statement from your manager to show that he/she supports your application (this can be scanned in), and our equal opportunities form, by 10.00 hours on Thursday 22nd May 2014 with the with the subject heading ‘NIHR Fellowship Application 2014’. Successful applicants will be asked to complete a formal application through the King’s admissions portal, and will be sent further details about the research projects and modules available to choose from. 6. CRITERIA & ASSESSMENT Applications will be shortlisted by a panel comprising of senior clinical academics. Key assessment criteria for the short-listing process will be against the eligibility criteria set out above. 7. DEADLINES The deadline for receipt of applications under this scheme is 18.00 hours on Thursday 22nd May 2014. All applications must be received by the time stated – applications received after this time will not be accepted regardless of the time of electronic submission by candidates. Interviews will be held on Tuesday 3rd June 2014. Successful applicants are expected to take up their studentships on Monday 15 September 2014. 8. CONTACT DETAILS/GUIDANCE Further information about the degree can be found on the KCL website www.kcl.ac.uk/prospectus/graduate/clinical-research. For queries please contact christine.twite@kcl.ac.uk in the first instance.