ECAT-i Clinical PhD Fellowships for Health and Care Professionals 2026 intake (round 2)

ECAT- i Clinical PhD Fellowships for Health and Care Professionals. Grade and salary will be assessed and determined on offer of appointment, depending on the appointee’s existing clinical job and salary. The University will match the appointee’s salary with the most appropriate UoE salary scale and grade point.

College of Medicine & Veterinary Medicine. Full-time (in line with contracted hours). Fixed term (Duration: 39 months, with the opportunity to extend for a further two years).

The Opportunity: Where discovery never stops. Be part of something bigger. The University isn’t just any employer. We are part of a local community and a contributor to global thinking, progress and research. In Edinburgh, you are in one of the world’s most attractive cities with active arts and social sectors, while working in a University that has made significant contributions to society, medicine, physics and teaching for over four centuries.

Our people have helped create the modern world and are working on more ground-breaking technologies and practices. Join the University of Edinburgh and you’ll be making a difference to everything around you. The University of Edinburgh is a world-class organisation. We look for the best in the field across all disciplines and provide a working environment where academics can develop their careers and passion for their chosen subject area. We offer the full range of academic roles and have a genuine focus on our students’ performance and wellbeing.

ECAT- i (Edinburgh Clinical Academic Track - inclusive) is the University’s exciting academic track for registered health and care professionals, including:

• Allied health professionals (art therapists, chiropodists/podiatrists, dieticians, drama therapists, music therapists, occupational therapists, operating department practitioners, orthoptists, osteopaths, paramedics, physiotherapists, prosthetists and orthotists, radiographers, and speech and language therapists)
• Chiropractors
• Clinical psychologists
• Dentists
• Dental hygienists
• Dental nurses
• Dental therapists
• General practitioners
• Healthcare scientists (in life sciences, physiological sciences, physical sciences and biomechanical engineering, and bioinformatics)
• Health visitors
• Midwives
• Non-medical public health specialists
• Nurses
• Optometrists and dispensing opticians
• Osteopaths
• Pharmacists
• Social workers
• Pharmacy technicians
• Practitioner psychologists

ECAT- i Clinical PhD Fellowships for Health and Care Professionals include a Wellcome PhD for Health Professionals in a world-leading research centre at the University of Edinburgh. The programme aims to build on the principles of research excellence and mentorship developed during the successful ECAT Wellcome Clinical PhD Programme, with a strong emphasis on research inclusivity and a positive research culture.

Additionally, funding is provided for a preparatory period (typically three months full-time) when selection of supervisors and planning of the PhD project are optimised with the support of the ECAT directors before beginning the three-year PhD project. Following the PhD, salary funding may be available for up to two years of postdoctoral research.

Candidates who have already undertaken a period of full-time research leading to a doctoral degree are not eligible to apply. You are required to be a practicing healthcare professional in the UK/Republic of Ireland, and to be registered with a national professional regulatory body (e.g. the General Medical Council, Health and Care Professions Council) in the UK/Republic of Ireland. A Skilled Worker Visa is an essential requirement for non-UK citizens.

Fellows recruited to the programme must be practicing healthcare professionals and be registered with a national professional regulatory body (e.g. the General Medical Council, Health and Care Professions Council) in the UK/Republic of Ireland. They must be educated to post-graduate diploma/Masters level, and must show evidence of further education including Continuous Professional Development in relevant area.

Candidates must be academically ready to undertake a PhD; must be committed to a career in academic medicine; and must be of a standard likely to be successful in obtaining a Training Fellowship in national open competition, with evidence of conducting research. Candidates must have excellent communication skills and an excellent command of the English language.

It is desirable for candidates to have: evidence of distinction in their career to date, e.g. prizes, awards, bursaries; the ability to deliver research that can be published in leading academic publications; experience of writing and presenting research; proactive and efficient administrative ability; and experience in undergraduate teaching or postgraduate teaching.

Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) check required. People have always been at the heart of our work. As part of the University, you are a part of our community. We are looking for people with drive, determination, and a passion for what they do. We are a place where everyone is welcome and offer a range of policies and benefits designed to support you in building the right meaningful/personalised flexibility for you.

A career with us has a range of other benefits, including leading-edge research, opportunities for publication and working within one of the world’s leading universities. This post is full-time (in line with contracted hours); however, we are open to considering part-time or flexible working patterns.

IMPORTANT: there are three application streams and you should apply to the relevant stream for your professional background (Medical, Surgical and Primary Care; Health and Care Professionals; or Vets). Please ensure that this is the correct stream for you. If not, please visit the University’s jobs page and find the correct stream (search for ‘ECAT’).

In this round of recruitment, there is a total of up to three vacancies across all three streams. Applications must be accompanied by a CV and 500-word supporting statement. Please attach the supporting statement to your CV and upload it as ONE document under “Resume” in the online system. There is no need to include a cover letter. For the sake of fairness, documents other than the CV and supporting statement will not be considered.

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, including generous annual leave entitlement, a defined benefits pension scheme, a wide range of staff discounts, family-friendly initiatives, and flexible work options.

Check out the full list on our staff benefits page and use our reward calculator to discover the 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. We welcome applications from all qualified candidates.

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. The University may be able to sponsor the employment of international workers for this role. This will depend on several factors specific to the successful applicant.

Key dates to note: The closing date for applications is 23 February 2026. Unless stated otherwise the closing time for applications is 11:59pm UK time. If you are applying outside the UK the closing time on our adverts automatically adjusts to your browser's local time zone. Interviews will be held in person in Edinburgh on Wednesday 29 April 2026. If you do not hear from us by late March 2026, unfortunately your application has not been successful.