Postgraduate research training and clinical academic careers open evening 12th May 2020

The Msc in Mental Health Research Sciences team hosted its first virtual open evening for clinicians on the 12th May 2020. The event aimed to give an overview of the postgraduate research training and clinical academic career opportunities for clinicians in the Division of Psychiatry, UCL. Timetable: An introduction to the Division: Prof Glyn Lewis, Head of Division MSc Mental Health Sciences Research: An introduction and overview: Prof Sonia Johnson, Course Director, Dr James Bisby; Course Lecturer and Research Projects Lead, Dr Nick Bass; Dementia MSc Lead PhDs: Overview and opportunities Prof Liz Sampson; PhD lead Clinical academic careers and post-graduate research training: Personal journeys: Chloe Kitto; Occupational Therapist and current MSc student; Dr Natalie Shoham; Psychiatry Registrar and MSc graduate; Dr Andrew Sommerlad; Consultant Psychiatrist, Senior Research Fellow and MSc graduate; Dr Lisa Wood; Clinical Psychologist, NIHR Clinical Lecturer, and Course Lecturer; Dr Alexandra Pitman; Consultant Psychiatrist, Associate Professor and Course Lecturer Q&As: Can module credits from other universities count towards the MSc? Unfortunately, it is not possible to transfer modules credits from other courses. What are ways that I could build up my CV during core psychiatry training in preparation for applying for clinical academic fellowships? Core training in psychiatry is a good time to build upon your research experience. It is usually expected that you would have completed a masters before undertaking a PhD due to the competitive nature of PhD applications. A masters puts you in a competitive position and demonstrates that you are committed to a clinical-academic career. Moreover, take opportunities to get involved in clinically based research such as QI projects in your clinical setting as these can lead to publication. Also, contact people working in academic settings to see if there are opportunities to get involved in research. Can you do a PhD in mental health and neuroscience if you haven’t got a background in neuroscience? In general, it is good to undertake a PhD in an area where you already have some general experience or knowledge. However, one of the main functions of PhD’s is to train you in a particular area, so you are not expected to have specialist knowledge. If the PhD is not your area of knowledge, then you will need to persuade the interview panel why you should be considered for the PhD over others who may have more specific experience. What is the process for applying for PhDs and developing a project? Are you able to bring your own ideas? Most people bring their own ideas. PhD’s are really challenging so it is important for you to be passionate about your topic. The Division does have PhDs advertised so if you do see one that meets your interests, it is worth applying. Opportunities are advertised on findaphd.com. Most people interested in pursuing a PhD will already have some links with the Division, either through completion of the MSc or through doing blocks within their ACF and would have developed links with potential PhD supervisors through this route. If you are thinking of applying for PhD fellowships, e.g. NIHR, then you would need to develop your own research proposal, so it is important to get in contact with academics in your existing networks or approach academics in your area of interest to gain their interest/support the development of your proposal. How built does your CV need to be to apply for a PhD fellowship? It is important to demonstrate that you have a commitment to a clinical-academic career as funding bodies want to offer awards to people they are confident will continue on this career path. You should have some publications and be able to persuade them that you want to go down an academic career, and that you have the skills and determination to do so. Is having a non-research focused MSc sufficient to undertake a PhD? It depends. You would want to have developed some specific skills and experience in research. We have people doing our MSc who have done less research focused MScs before. Alternatively, you can build up your research experience after completion of your clinically focused MSc. What is the process for applying for the pre-PhD ACF? I am interested in multiple areas and not sure how to process with this process. You have to make an application through Health Education England. There is a national recruitment drive but you can specify where you would like to do it. In London, I think it is limited to Kings, UCL and Imperial but it changes yearly. David Osborne is the link person in our Division. These are pre-PhD fellowships that allow people to have time to prepare a PhD application. You don’t have to have a fixed project but there is an expectation that you know what area you are interested in. If you are applying for a PhD fellowship, then you are expected to have a worked-up project.