Doctors can engage with research at any stage of their career, from early training through to senior clinical roles. There is no single prescribed route into clinical academia and research careers are increasingly flexible and portfolio-based.
Early-career doctors can begin by exploring opportunities such as foundation or specialty posts with protected research time, taster programmes, audits, quality improvement projects or by contributing to existing research within their department. National schemes, including the NIHR Integrated Academic Training pathway, offer structured routes for those interested in pursuing clinical academic careers but informal routes and trainee-led research networks are also valuable ways to gain experience and build confidence.
More experienced clinicians bring important strengths to research, including greater clinical insight and a clearer understanding of patient and service priorities. Entering research later in training is not a disadvantage, and involvement does not require an immediate commitment to a doctorate or time away from clinical work. Many clinicians start by collaborating on projects, contributing to clinical trials, supervising trainees or engaging in health services and implementation research.
A major challenge is finding time for research alongside clinical responsibilities. Protected time can be accessed through formal academic posts, negotiated research sessions within job plans, out-of-programme research periods or flexible training arrangements such as less-than-full-time working supported by research funding. Early discussions with supervisors and training programme directors are essential when planning these routes.
Clinical academic careers span roles from predoctoral and doctoral training to postdoctoral and senior leadership positions, with many doctors developing portfolio research careers that evolve over time. While a doctorate is not essential to contribute meaningfully to research, it is usually required to lead independent programmes or hold substantive academic posts.
Funding opportunities are available through organisations such as the NIHR, Wellcome, the MRC, and specialty charities, and persistence is often key to success. Although combining research with clinical practice can be challenging, many clinicians find it intellectually rewarding, professionally enriching and beneficial for patient care.
