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Transitioning to independent research in dental academia

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Clinical academia remains flexible and there is no single path. What matters is choosing routes that align with your experience, specialty and goals.

During this phase, you are expected to:

  • develop your own research programme and lead projects
  • supervise students and junior researchers
  • publish in peer-reviewed journals and present at conferences
  • apply for independent funding (fellowships, grants)
  • negotiate your academic‑clinical balance
  • expand your leadership, teaching and networking roles

Key posts and routes in the UK

This section outlines what the postdoctoral stage typically looks like across the UK. 

  • NIHR Academic Clinical Lectureships/ Clinical Lectureships (CL) are postdoctoral awards offering a 50/50 split between clinical work and research. The programme is normally four years.
  • These posts help you consolidate your research portfolio, apply for major fellowships and develop as an independent investigator.
  • Entry levels are flexible and you can enter from specialty training, consultant posts or post‑PhD dental positions.
More about NIHR Clinical Lectureships 

The SCREDS scheme supports clinical academic careers in Scotland.

  • Dental postdoctoral academics often continue under Clinical Lectureship frameworks or equivalent university/NHS posts.
  • Protected research time is negotiated locally, often building on doctoral research to secure further funding.
  • The Chief Scientist Office (CSO) within NHS Research Scotland funds these fellowships in partnership with Scottish universities.
  •  The NHS Research Scotland/Universities Scottish Senior Clinical Fellowship Scheme is a tenure-track, five-year fellowship for outstanding early-career clinical academics.
More about CSO Fellowships
The WCAT programme provides a pathway for clinical academic training in Wales.
  • This programme is funded by the Welsh Government in partnership with Health Education and Improvement Wales (HEIW) and Welsh universities.
  • Within the WCAT programme, trainees have protected academic time throughout their clinical training. This can increase to 50% in the postdoctoral period to align with an ACL-style position.
  • WCAT trainees are encouraged to apply for external PhD fellowships, but if unsuccessful, WCAT can support salary costs.
About WCAT
  • Postdoctoral or early Academic Clinical Lectureship‑type roles are available via Queen’s University Belfast and through NIMDTA partnerships.
  •  Three-year ACL post are available for trainees who have completed or are nearing completion of their PhD.
  • ACL posts split time 50% to clinical training and 50% to postdoctoral research, with the goal of applying for an externally funded clinician scientist programme.
About the QUB partnership

Other postdoctoral funding opportunities

Several other competitive fellowships exist for early-career clinical academic dentists. Funders across the UK have mapped out where clinical researchers can access funding at different stages of their careers. Examples of funding are listed below.
  • The Medical Research Council offers Clinical Research Training Fellowships (CRTFs), which can be pre- or post-doctoral. The post-doctoral option is for those who already have a PhD but may need to reacquire research skills after a break or period of clinical focus. These are highly competitive and offer funding for salary and project costs.
  • The Wellcome Trust provides various schemes, including Investigator Awards and Career Development Awards, which are highly prestigious and suitable for dentists demonstrating potential for an independent research career.
  • Funders such as the Royal Society offer general career development and postdoctoral fellowships that clinical academics can apply for, provided their research area aligns with the funder’s remit.
  • Some universities advertise their own “Clinical Lecturer” or “Research Associate” positions outside the formal NIHR pathway. These roles may be more teaching or project-specific and can provide valuable stepping stones.

Dr James Field

Dr James Field is a Senior Lecturer in Restorative Dentistry and Honorary Consultant in Prosthodontics, and a National Teaching Fellow.
Read More

When to make the transition

You can move into independent research roles when:

  • you have completed a PhD or equivalent research training
  • you have a demonstrable research record (publications, grants, presentations)
  • you are ready to take on supervisory roles or lead new projects
  • you have a clear research direction and funding strategy

Some dentists choose to transition immediately after their doctorate while others wait until they’re well established in clinical practice. The flexibility of academic dentistry allows you to time this move to maximise readiness.

Explore further

Funding & training opportunities

This section provides information on opportunities to support and advance your clinical academic career.
Find out more

Leadership development for senior dental academics

Senior academic roles offer opportunities to lead research, teach the next generation and shape the future of dentistry.
Find out more
Last updated on 3 February 2026.