Medical Research Foundation / Medical Research Council Clinical Research Training Fellowships in Mental Health
Psychiatry: Scottish Training and Academic Research (PsySTAR) Programme
Applications are invited from across the UK for this prestigious clinical PhD training programme, which aims to realise the opportunities and priorities identified in the recent MRC review of mental health research. Up to 5 Fellowships are available for this intake, commencing September 2012, and 9 Fellowships will be available in the scheme overall.
PsySTAR is a unique collaboration between clinical researchers and fundamental scientists across the Universities of Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh and Glasgow, supported by the Medical Research Foundation and the Medical Research Council. The programme has been established by the MRF and MRC to give the next generation of research leaders in UK mental health the scientific skills to lead the development of novel therapeutic and preventative interventions. PsySTAR will therefore support the most promising young psychiatrists from anywhere in the UK who wish to undertake rigorous scientific training in the methods likely to achieve the MRC review goals, within a world class research environment.
Successful applicants will be given the opportunity to work with a wide range of internationally leading basic and clinical scientists around Scotland, including numerous Fellows of the Royal Society and MRC Centre Directors. They will be supported to develop their potential as a clinical researcher in an integrated, structured training programme with strong inter-disciplinary and cross-institutional interaction and mentoring. Excellent project based research training will be provided, focused on acquisition of the skills necessary to pursue a career as an academic psychiatrist.
Successful applicants will spend their first year as a specialist trainee within the NHS, using study leave to visit research locations and meet scientists around Scotland, being helped to devise a suitable PhD for them. They will then spend 3 years out of programme doing the PhD, as a University employee, before completing their higher specialist training. Clinical lectureships, as part of the Scottish Clinical Research Excellence Development Scheme, will then be available to provide run-through clinical and scientific training. Support includes a medical salary, PhD fees, some research expenses, training funds, travel and meeting costs.
It is anticipated that successful applicants will already hold a relevant specialty training position in the UK, as well as having passed the MRCPsych, or expect to obtain these over the next year. We also expect that you will have a demonstrable research track record. We recognise however that some talented individuals may not have had the opportunity to do research, but we would also encourage them to apply as they may be eligible for the programme as a whole and in particular for one of our 4 year MSc plus PhD fellowships.
Interested candidates should visit the website and direct initial enquiries to the programme director, Professor Stephen Lawrie (s.lawrie@ed.ac.uk).
Closing date: Friday 19th November 2011.
Interviews will be held in Edinburgh on Wednesday 30th November 2011.
