Academic Clinical Lecturers
Academic Clinical Lecturers (ACLs) combine teaching and research responsibilities with a position practicing in their specialist field.
Our Clinical Lectureships offer postdoctoral support for a clinician having recently completed a higher degree (PhD, MD or equivalent) and currently holding a National Training Number (NTN).
Trainee Academic Clinical Lecturers will join a large and vibrant programme of junior clinical academics at The University of Manchester.
On this page:
About the ACL role
The role specification and the academic and clinical requirements are outlined here.
Role specification
- Post holders spend 50% of their time in clinical training in their clinical training specialties and 50% undertaking research.
- The research must be commensurate with existing areas of strength within the Faculty. The exact nature and commitments of the research and clinical aspects of the posts (where appropriate) depend on the clinical specialties and the research groups in which the Clinical Lecturers are based, and will be agreed with the post holders, the Academic Programme Leads and the relevant Specialty Training Committee (STC) Chairs (where appropriate).
- The Clinical Lectureships should lead to the award of a CCT in the clinical specialty.
- The posts are available for a maximum of four years, subject to satisfactory annual review. It is expected that the Clinical Lecturers will have applied for National Clinician Scientist Awards within the four-year period.
Academic specifications
- A commitment to undertaking ‘cutting edge’ research which is commensurate with the research priorities of the relevant research groups within the Faculty.
- Participation in post-doctoral academic training and research to enable the appointees to build individual research programmes and to establish skills as independent researchers, which includes seeking and exploring external funding opportunities.
- Writing and publishing the results of original research in peer-reviewed, high impact journals of national/international standing.
- Joint supervision of postgraduate students as required.
- Teaching duties as agreed in consultation with the nominated Academic Programme Lead or Institute Director taking into account the appointees’ workload in other areas and the need to gain this type of experience for purposes of personal academic development.
- Administrative responsibilities as allocated by the Institute Director, again taking into account the appointees’ workload in other areas and the need to gain this type of experience for purposes of personal academic development.
- Such duties may include:
- Participation in postgraduate student recruitment and selection activities.
- Attendance at Institute/Research Group meetings and participation in other committees and working groups within the Group, Institute, Faculty and University, as required.
- Participation in the New Academics and Fellows Programme and other activities that will allow the post holders to develop full potential in research and teaching.
- Post holders will also have the opportunity to join the Faculty’s academic mentoring scheme to support their personal academic development needs.
Clinical specifications
- Where appropriate, the Clinical Lecturers will be appointed to their existing clinical specialty for the 50% clinical training element of the lectureships.
- The rotations, where appropriate, will be designed specifically for their clinical and academic needs. On call duties, where appropriate, will be determined according to the Clinical Lecturers’ training needs and the clinical placements.
Academic Clinical Lecturers will also be expected to provide support and clinical supervision of junior doctors, as appropriate.
How to apply
Each year ACL appointments are made between 1 April and 1 September the following year.
The NIHR advertises nationally for posts in each region prior to 1 April.
Those with an interest in applying to Manchester are strongly encouraged to consult with the relevant Academic Programme Lead before applying. Arranging an informal discussion with the ACL Programme Lead, Dr John Blaikley (john.blaikley@manchester.ac.uk) is also strongly recommended.
Health Education/University of Manchester ACL posts are advertised shortly after the NIHR’s national advert. Application forms will be available to complete online using the University’s job site.
Shortlisted candidates will be interviewed by a panel of clinicians and academics in line with NIHR guidance.
The process takes place three times a year to provide flexibility to potential candidates.
Key application dates
Recruitment cycle 1
- ACL posts advertised: June
- Interviews: July
- Appointment offers: By the end of July
- Start date: By 1 September the following year
Recruitment cycle 2
- ACL posts advertised: October
- Interviews: November
- Appointment offers: By the end of November
- Start date: By 1 September the following year
Recruitment cycle 3
- ACL posts advertised: January
- Interviews: February
- Appointment offers: By the end of February
- Start date: By 1 September that year
Funding
Funding options are available for ACLs to support your training and research.
NIHR £1,000 Bursary
This bursary is for expenses incurred in connection with conferences and meetings that are directly applicable to your research field or for the presentation of research findings.
Funding is available to you each year you are a trainee, for as long as the NIHR provides the bursary.
Eligibility
- An ACL can claim a maximum of £1,000 for expenses that have been incurred during that trainee year. Expenses are only incurred on the date the event occurs, for example, a train ticket booked in advance can only be reimbursed once it has been used for travel.
- 10% of the bursary can be used towards PPIE.
- A trainee year is each 12-month period that follows a trainee’s start date. For example, if a trainee starts on 1 August then their trainee year will run from 1 August to 31 July.
Unspent funds
- You may be able to claim any unspent bursary money from the previous year along with your current year’s allocation upon submission of a written request to the ICAT Coordinator.
- Requests to use funds from the previous year will be considered on a case-by-case basis
- Once your programme has ended you will not be able to claim any unspent money.
Applying to use the bursary
Find out how to make a claim for use of the bursary fund, see our information for current ACLs.
Starter grants
ACL starter grants are available to research active ACLs and provide additional funding for research work, for example, to gather preliminary data, project consumables and equipment.
ACL starter grants are available from the Academy of Medical Sciences in collaboration with Wellcome Trust, the Medical Research Council, the British Heart Foundation, Arthritis Research UK and Prostate Cancer UK.
Further details about applications and eligibility can be found on The Academy of Medical Sciences website.
Support
There is individual support available to you in identifying projects, conducting research and identifying appropriate training and opportunities for career development.
A mentoring scheme is available to all ACLs. Mentors who contribute to this scheme have a wealth of experience and expertise in different backgrounds and are all dedicated to supporting your professional development.
If you wish to have a mentor from outside of the University, we strongly recommend the Academy of Medical Sciences’ Scheme.
Contact Us
+44 (0) 161 306 6000
