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Developing a clinical academic career in pharmacy

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Once you have completed a PhD, you may want to secure postdoctoral research funding and explore academic leadership roles to advance your career as a clinical academic pharmacist.

Explore pharmacy training and development schemes

Clinical academic posts in the NHS

Working in a clinical academic role within the NHS allows you to bring insights from clinical practice into research. Your findings can be translated into innovations that improve patient care. Agreements between a School of Pharmacy and NHS trust can support these dual roles.

University positions

University-based roles let you combine research with teaching the next generation of pharmacists. Positions can include Lecturer in Pharmacy Practice or Clinical Academic Fellow.

To build your career, focus on developing a strong research portfolio:

  • publish in peer-reviewed journals
  • present at conferences
  • apply for grants
  • collaborate with medical, nursing and allied health academics to explore shared research interests

Mentorship

Mentoring junior staff helps improve your research capability and supports your development as a clinical academic. Examples of professional mentoring schemes include:

Academic leadership

To prepare for senior roles, consider training in academic leadership. Senior positions include Senior Lecturer, Reader or Professor in Pharmacy Practice. These roles may involve:

  • leading studies that inform national policy or guideline development
  • supervising PhD students
  • shaping the future of pharmacy research and practice

Dr Zoe Edwards

Dr Zoe Edwards is Honourary Associate Professor at the University of Bradford and Clinical Research Lead/Advanced Clinical Practitioner.

Explore further

Training and mentorship programmes

Find training, development and mentorship opportunities to support your clinical academic career.

Impact of Pharmacy in Research

Clinical academic pharmacists sit at the intersection of frontline healthcare and cutting-edge research, turning evidence into everyday practice.
Last updated on 3 February 2026.