TRACC Clinical Lectureships – 2026 intake

The University of Edinburgh; City of Edinburgh; On-site; GBP 48,000 - 72,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading UK university is seeking a Clinical Lecturer for its TRACC+ Programme, focusing on cancer research. This role offers a competitive salary, funding for a PhD, and a blend of clinical and research training. Candidates must possess a medical degree and a commitment to a career in clinical academia, alongside the necessary registration and training requirements. Applications are welcomed from diverse backgrounds and the closing date is 16 October 2025.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Generous holiday entitlement

Comprehensive pension schemes

Staff discounts

Family-friendly initiatives

Qualifications

• Must hold a UK National Training Number (NTN) or secure a specialty training position.
• Evidence of prior research relevant to cancer-focused disciplines is preferred.
• Academic GPs must be within 3 years post-CCT.

Responsibilities

• Complete a Clinical Research Training Fellowship leading to a PhD.
• Engage in clinical training with research time as part of the TRACC+ programme.
• Contribute to mentorship and support for future candidates within the programme.

Skills

Clinical research experience

Evidence of commitment to cancer research

Full GMC registration

Working towards UK NTN

Education

Medical degree

PhD in clinical or translational research

Job description

Overview

ACN2 £48,288 - £71,550 per annum

Medicine and Veterinary Medicine College

Fixed-term: from 5 August 2026 until CCT date + 6 months

Full time: 40 hours per week

The Universities of Edinburgh and Glasgow and the Cancer Research UK Scotland Institute and Cancer Research UK Scotland Centre are seeking to appoint their eighth cohort of highly ambitious individuals who aspire to become the next generation of clinical academic leaders in cancer-focused disciplines. The TRACC+ Programme is funded by Cancer Research UK and NHS Education for Scotland and commenced in 2019. Vacancies are available within TRACC+ for trainees seeking doctoral (PhD) training and mentorship. Vacancies are open to medically qualified trainees in any clinical discipline with an academic interest in cancer and who are based anywhere in the UK. All candidates must demonstrate a clear commitment to a future career as a clinical academic in cancer research and should have a track record appropriate to their career stage in basic and/or translational and/or clinical research.

The Opportunity

The TRACC+ Programme has up to 4 posts available for the August 2026 intake. All posts provide funding for a full-time, 3-year Clinical Research Training Fellowship for clinicians leading to a PhD in one of the University of Edinburgh’s or University of Glasgow’s internationally competitive, multidisciplinary research centres. In addition, funding is provided as a TRACC+ Clinical Lecturer for a preparatory ‘run-in’ period of up to 12 months before beginning the 3-year PhD project, when clinical training (80%) is combined with protected research time (20%) for selecting supervisors and planning of the PhD project with the support of the TRACC Directors.

The TRACC+ Clinical Research Training Fellowship (CRTF) involves a period of Out of Programme for Research (OOPR) for 3 years (or longer if working less than full time) during which the PhD project is completed, but up to 10% of time during the CRTF can be used for clinical training as appropriate for the candidate’s clinical speciality, and as agreed with the TRACC leadership team and their NHS Training Programme Director.

Following completion of the PhD, successful candidates continue as a TRACC+ Clinical Lecturer and complete clinical training in their chosen speciality, with ongoing support and mentorship through the TRACC+ programme, and with ongoing 20% protected research time. This period will be up until the date of CCT (plus 6 months period of grace if appropriate). For academic GPs, the run-out period may be for a fixed duration post-CCT (details in job description). TRACC+ Clinical Lecturers may apply for an alternate post-doctoral academic training post (such as the schemes competitively awarded in Scotland for joint 50% clinical training and 50% research funding).

Progression through the scheme is subject to satisfactory performance but does not involve competitive interviews after initial appointment.

Your skills and attributes for success

Candidates for TRACC+ Clinical Lecturer posts must already hold a UK National Training Number (NTN) or must apply and be appointed to a specialty training position with a UK NTN in their chosen discipline no later than 5th August 2026. For academic GPs, the post is available for those who have been working for up to 3 years post-CCT at the time of taking up the post (or longer if applicants have been working less than full time, but only equivalent to 36 months 1.0 FTE). For successful candidates who are based outside the Scotland Deanery, we will work with them, their current host Deanery/Local Education Training Board and the destination Scotland Deanery to seek an Inter Deanery Transfer. Candidates must have full GMC registration. We aim to be an inclusive programme and welcome applications from eligible candidates irrespective of gender or ethnic group and will adapt the programme for successful candidates who wish to work less than full time.

The TRACC+ programme is jointly run by the University of Edinburgh and the University of Glasgow. The research posts are integrated between the two Universities and the wider cancer research ecosystems in both cities. Candidates should apply through the University of Edinburgh system, but this application route will not influence the University or Research Centre where the research will be undertaken.

Copy of the job description is available on request.

Application Information

The three documents needed for upload are a copy of your current Curriculum Vitae, a cover letter describing how you meet the job specification (essential and desirable criteria), and a 300-word maximum personal statement specifying your motivation for applying to the TRACC programme in particular and your interests specifically in cancer research.

For further information, please go to: TRACC programme page (CRUK Scotland Centre).

Enquiries, regardless of your preferred destination institution, should be directed in the first instance to the TRACC+ Administrator: [e-mail]. Applications, regardless of your preferred destination institution, should be submitted to the University of Edinburgh.

As a valued member of our team you can expect

• A competitive salary
• An exciting, positive, creative, challenging and rewarding place to work
• To be part of a diverse and vibrant international community
• Comprehensive Staff Benefits, such as a generous holiday entitlement, competitive pension schemes, staff discounts, and family-friendly initiatives. Check out the full list on our staff benefits page and use our reward calculator to discover the total value of your pay and benefits

Championing equality, diversity and inclusion

The University of Edinburgh holds a Silver Athena SWAN award for gender equality, is a member of the Race Equality Charter and Stonewall Scotland Diversity Champions, actively promoting LGBT equality.

Prior to any employment commencing with the University you will be required to evidence your right to work in the UK. Further information is available on our right to work webpages.

The University is able to sponsor the employment of international workers in this role. If successful, an international applicant requiring sponsorship to work in the UK will need to satisfy the UK Home Office’s English Language requirements and apply for and secure a Skilled Worker Visa. Please note if the role is offered on a part-time basis, sponsorship may depend on several factors specific to the successful applicant or the role no longer meeting Home Office criteria.

Key dates

The closing date for applications is 16 October 2025.

Unless stated otherwise the closing time for applications is 11:59pm GMT. If applying outside the UK the closing time on our adverts automatically adjusts to your browser’s local time zone.

Interviews will be held virtually via MS Teams in autumn 2025.