TRACC Clinical Lectureships – 2026 intake (x4 posts)

Contract Type: Fixed Term - from 5 August 2026 until CCT date + 6 months

Job Function: Doctor in Training

Job Description

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. 

Click here for a copy of the job description.

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: https://www.crukscotlandcentre.ac.uk/training/tracc-programme-for-clinicians/tracc-programme-crtf-phd

Enquiries, regardless of your preferred destination institution, should be directed in the first instance to the TRACC+ Administrator: traccadmincrtf@mlist.is.ed.ac.uk  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(opens in a new tab) 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 in recognition of our commitment to advance gender equality in higher education. We are members of the Race Equality Charter and we are also 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 (opens new browser tab).

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, it may result in sponsorship being dependant on a number of factors specific to the successful applicant or the role no longer meeting the Home Office’s criteria for sponsorship.

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

About Us

As a world-leading research-intensive University, we are here to address tomorrow’s greatest challenges. Between now and 2030 we will do that with a values-led approach to teaching, research and innovation, and through the strength of our relationships, both locally and globally.

About the Team

The College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine traces its origins back nearly 500 years (Darwin, Simpson and Conan-Doyle were students here) and is internationally renowned for its research and teaching. Professor David Argyle is the Head of College, the only conjoint Medical and Veterinary Medical School in the UK. The College employs over 3000 academic and support staff. The College has two Schools, the Edinburgh Medical School comprising three Deaneries; Biomedical Sciences; Molecular Genetic and Population Health Sciences and Clinical Sciences and the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies.

The undergraduate medicine teaching programme in the College enjoys a high reputation nationally and internationally, with over 1,300 students enrolled on the MBChB and Intercalated courses and nearly 1000 on the Veterinary Sciences BVS and related programmes. In addition, approximately 2000 students are currently enrolled in the College’s taught and research post-graduate courses, including an extensive range of online distance learning diplomas and degrees. They are trained by over 1000 outstanding academic staff.

The academic disciplines within Medicine are largely concentrated in the two teaching hospital campuses, the Royal Infirmary at BioQuarter and the Western General Hospital. Both have extensive new infrastructure with major research institutes and state of the art research facilities on clinical sites. Edinburgh hosts a number of prestigious MRC and BHF Research Centres. The approach is interdisciplinary, with basic and clinical researchers working together at the laboratory bench and in our clinical research facilities to address major themes in basic, clinical and translational medicine. The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies on the Easter Bush Campus houses outstanding teaching and clinical facilities as well as the splendid Roslin Institute, one of the world’s leading veterinary research centres. The College offers outstanding opportunities to address ‘One Health’ and Global Health problems of the highest international priority.

The Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021 results reaffirmed Edinburgh’s position as one of the UK’s leading research universities. Our College achieved outstanding results across four units of assessment (UoAs). Work was submitted from every eligible academic in the College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine: a total of 782 full time equivalent posts.  This includes joint submissions from within the University of Edinburgh. Overall, results were excellent. The University of Edinburgh is fourth in the UK based on the quality and breadth of its research - known as research power - and is Scotland’s top ranked institution, according to Times Higher Education's REF power ratings.

Apply Before: 10/16/2025, 11:59 PM

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

To apply follow the link here TRACC Clinical Lectureships – 2026 intake - University of Edinburgh Careers