Nominations invited for next round of NIHR professorships

Nominations can now be made for the next round of NIHR Research Professorships.

Universities and NHS organisations in England have been invited to put forward their nominations by the 3 April deadline.

Up to five NIHR Research Professorships will be available in this second round. The awards aim to fund leaders in the early part of their careers to lead research, to promote effective translation of research ('bench to bedside' [T1] and 'campus to clinic' [T2]).

Posts will enable outstanding early career academics to spend a fixed 5-year period dedicated to translational research at Professorial level.

Awards are open to researchers with an outstanding record of clinical and applied health research and its effective translation for improved health.

Competitive candidates will demonstrate a steep career trajectory, on course to becoming the country's most outstanding research leaders. They will currently be at consultant grade or equivalent, and be at an early career stage  having spent no more than five years at their current level of seniority (whether as Professor, Reader, Senior Lecturer/Fellow, Clinician Scientist, Group Leader or similar.) Nominees should be working in the fields of experimental medicine, public health medicine, health services research, or methodological research.

The NIHR stresses a continuing link with service delivery will be essential and research professors will be funded to continue to spend up to 2 sessions a week delivering service directly or, if the candidate is not a health professional, an equivalent time collaborating with service. Non-NHS institutions must provide a statement from an associated NHS service provider explaining how the provider will empower the individual to promote translation at a local level directly or in collaboration.

Each award will consist of a package to support a professorship, a post-doctoral appointment, research running costs, a travel fund, access to the NIHR Leadership Programme, and the opportunity for a sabbatical, as well as the basic salary costs of the individual plus indirect costs.

A maximum of two nominations will be accepted per institution. Further details can be found at www.nihrtcc.nhs.uk

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