A Three-Year Wellcome Trust PhD Programme

Directors: Professor Rajesh Thakker and Professor Paul Klenerman

All enquiries should be made through the MSDTC office, via enquiries@msdtc.ox.ac.uk and not directly to programme directors.

Programme Overview and Aims

This three-year Fellowship programme is aimed at clinical trainees, providing them an opportunity to study in a basic-science environment, working towards a PhD. The principal aim of the programme is to provide high-quality research training in basic and applied molecular science, tailored specifically to the needs of talented clinicians who aspire to a career in academic medicine.

The fellowships are structured around existing research programmes. These provide first class research environments for clinician scientists and have a framework for research and training in the combined fields of basic science and clinical medicine. Common themes for the programme components include molecular genetic, molecular biological and cellular approaches to important medical problems. Each training fellowship will been tailored to form a partnership between basic-scientists and clinician-scientists, with the aim to bridge the gap between basic and applied research. 

Projects are available in five broad areas:

• Neurosciences
• Infection and Immunity
• Cardiovascular Medicine
• Haematology and Haematopoesis
• Metabolic medicine (including diabetes, endocrinology and nephrology).

We encourage applicants to develop individual projects in discussion with researchers in the University.

Eligibility

Candidates must be medically qualified, with a strong academic record (preferably with honours or distinction in the MB finals and/or have a BSc (or equivalent) with a 1st or 2:1). It is envisaged that those appointed will have some specialist experience – typically having obtained MRCP or equivalent, but not CCT or consultant status.

The posts are open to those from the UK and also from abroad, but candidates must be eligible to undertake clinical practice in the UK. Please see the General Medical Council website for further details.

• Find out more about the Training Fellowships 
• Further information about Departments and Supervisors
• Information about the Programme Directors 
• Visit the Application Process page

Related information

This programme exists together with other initiatives to promote access to academic medicine at Oxford. To learn of other clinical academic training opportunities, visit the Oxford University Clinical Academic Graduate School website.