Postdoctoral schemes

Female scientist looking at a test tubeThe University of Birmingham offers a range of postdoctoral schemes to support medically and clinically qualified staff in advancing their academic careers. Our Academic Clinical Lecturer (ACL) posts provide a structured pathway for balancing clinical practice with independent research, while Birmingham Health Partners (BHP) offers flexible research awards tailored for qualified NHS staff. With dedicated funding, mentorship, and career development support, these programmes help clinicians build strong academic profiles and progress towards leadership in clinical academia.

For medically qualified staff

 

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NIHR and Locally Funded Academic Clinical Lecturer (ACL) Posts

Our Academic Clinical Lecturer (ACL) posts are designed for resident doctors and dentists who have also undertaken a PhD. These posts are ideal for those committed to a career in clinical academia, providing a platform to develop independent research alongside clinical duties. 

Duration & structure

ACL posts typically last four years or until trainees have achieved their Certificate of Completion of Clinical Training (CCT). Our ACLs are employed by the University of Birmingham, with their time divided equally between clinical training and their research (50/50 split). This structure provides a solid foundation for building a research portfolio while maintaining clinical expertise.Our ACL posts are advertised regularly on the University jobs webpages.

How does an ACL post support your clinical academic career?

An ACL post serves as a critical stepping stone in clinical academia by:

  • Fostering Research Independence: Helping you develop the skills to secure research funding and lead independent projects.
  • Enhancing Your Academic Profile: Supporting publications, conference presentations, and research dissemination to strengthen future career prospects.
  • Providing Mentorship: Offering guidance from experienced academic mentors to help you navigate career progression towards Clinical Senior Lectureships and beyond.

Development opportunities for ACLs

Beyond research and training opportunities, ACLs receive:

  • An annual £1,000 bursary for conference and training attendance; a one-off £1000 Research Consumables Bursary
  • The opportunity to apply for an External Collaboration Research Bursary, to support placements and learning at external institutions.

Birmingham Health Partners (BHP) Schemes

 

BHP New Consultants Award

This award supports newly appointed medical consultants by providing flexible, protected research time within their NHS posts, to establish a strong academic trajectory.

Award:

  • 2 PAs per week for 3 years 

Learn more about the New Consultants Award

BHP Clinician Scientist Post

These posts aim to develop the very best of the next generation of clinical academics. 

They offer wrap-around career development and mentorship to target prestigious, external clinical intermediate fellowships (MRC, NIHR and others). Posts are based at the University of Birmingham, with a 50/50 split between clinical and academic time. The posts are advertised regularly on the University jobs webpages.

 

For medically and clinically qualified staff

BHP CARP Scheme (Clinical Academic Research Partnerships)

BHP CARP awards offer postdoctoral clinical staff within NHS roles a flexible route to develop their clinical research programmes and progress within research leadership. Qualified doctors, dentists, nurses, AHPs and wider clinical staff are encouraged to apply.

·Award: 2 PAs/0.2 FTE per week for 2 years.

Learn more about the CARP Scheme