Key features
Our new SWL MRC-RACR initiative for clinicians (doctors and registered regulated health and care professionals) provides :
- Protected research time (up to 50% FTE)
- Salary support for up to 12 months (in the first instance)
- Opportunities to develop new collaborations across the SWL MRC-RACR partnership
- Support to develop competitive applications for external funding
South West London is a Medical Research Council Regional Account for Clinical Researchers (SWL MRC-RACR)
Protected Research Time for Future Clinical Research Leaders
Are you an ambitious clinician looking to develop your research career?
Funded by the Medical Research Council (MRC), the SWL MRC-RACR is prestigious new initiative to support clinicians at key career transition points and help build the next generation of clinical research leaders.
Through this competitive programme, successful applicants will receive protected research time, salary support, mentoring, career development opportunities and access to world-leading research environments.
The programme is delivered through a partnership between Imperial College London, University of Surrey, City St George's University of London, Brunel University London, the Institute of Cancer Research, the MRC Laboratory of Medical Sciences and eleven NHS Trust partners (see guidance for details).
This opportunity is open to clinicians - doctors and registered regulated health and care professionals - aspiring to progress their research careers across the South-West London region.
Applicants must be actively engaged in clinical practice and fall into the following category:
- Post-PhD Transition - You have been awarded a PhD or MD (res) within the last three years (extendable to five years with mitigating circumstances) and are seeking protected research time to continue developing your research programme while completing or having recently completed your clinical training.
About the SWL MRC-RACR
Before you apply, please read the information below carefully. The sections contain important details about the role, eligibility requirements, what we are looking for, what we can offer, and how to apply. We strongly encourage all prospective applicants to review this information in full before submitting an application, to ensure this opportunity is the right fit for your career stage and research goals.
About the SWL MRC-RACR
Research
- To develop, plan and carry out research in accordance with agreed project aims, to obtain preliminary data and build towards future grant applications
- To attend meetings and report progress on the project (written and oral), both within the University and externally
- To draft publications for submission to peer-reviewed journals
- To develop research collaborations within the consortium, across the South-West London partnership, and with the wider community
- To complete and comply with reporting and progress requirements as requested by the MRC and the consortium, and to take part in audit
- To adhere to institutional ethics, responsible research and the concordat for research integrity - The Concordat to Support Research Integrity - (UKCORI)
- To direct, lead, or contribute to a research area at the highest scientifically rigorous levels
- To strengthen links with colleagues across consortium partner institutions and contribute to the work of the SWL MRC-RACR
Clinical Responsibilities
- It is expected that the post holder will maintain an active clinical role alongside their research, in line with their clinical training and the requirements of their clinical job plan.
- To collaborate with academic and clinical colleagues to enhance the NHS Trust's translational research portfolio
We are seeking talented clinicians with:
- A strong commitment to research
- A clear vision for future clinical academic development
- A high-quality research proposal within the MRC remit
- Appropriate academic and clinical support
- A realistic plan for career progression and future research funding
Applications will be assessed based on:
- Scientific quality and innovation
- Career development potential
- Strength of the training and mentorship plan
- Alignment with the applicant's longer-term career goals
- Support from the host academic institution and NHS organisation
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
The SWL MRC-RACR is committed to creating an inclusive clinical research community and particularly welcomes applications from individuals currently under-represented in clinical academic careers.
We recognise that career paths are diverse and encourage applications from clinicians with non-traditional career trajectories, career breaks, caring responsibilities or flexible working arrangements.
Successful applicants will receive:
- Protected research time (up to 50% FTE ).
- Salary support for up to 12 months in the first instance
- Access to expert supervision and mentorship
- Opportunities to develop new collaborations across the SWL MRC-RACR partnership
- Access to research training and career development activities
- Support to develop competitive applications for external funding
- Access to facilities, expertise and networks across partner institutions
- Opportunities for cross-institutional mobility and collaboration
The funding is intended to support the development of research projects, generate preliminary data, strengthen research skills and facilitate progression towards research independence and future externally funded awards.
Clinical research careers are often lost at critical transition points. The SWL MRC-RACR has been specifically designed to address these challenges by providing flexible support at the moments when it is needed most.
This programme offers a unique opportunity to develop your research profile within one of the UK's largest and most diverse clinical academic partnerships.
Funding: Individual awards are expected to be short-term (6–12 months) and small-scale, covering a salary contribution for protected research time.
Programme Duration: The SWL MRC-RACR is a 2-year pilot award, commencing 1 July 2026.
Programme Lead: Professor Marina Botto, Head of the Department of Immunology and Inflammation at Imperial College London and Honorary Consultant Rheumatologist at Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust.
How to Apply
Full details of the application requirements are provided in the SWL MRC-RACR Application Guidelines. Please read these carefully before applying. You will need to download the SWL MRC-RACR Application Form before you begin.
The application process has two parts:
Part 1 – Secure Departmental Support
Before submitting your application, you must approach and obtain sign-off from:
- Your proposed host university Academic Department
- Your proposed host NHS Clinical Division/Department
- Your TPD Head of School and OOP panel (if you are still in training)
We strongly advise contacting these departments as early as possible to allow sufficient time for discussion, departmental review, approval, and preparation of costings.
Part 2 – Complete and Submit Your Application by 1 November 2026 Once Sections 1b and 1c of the application form have been approved, you must complete the remainder of the application form, including:
- Section 2 – Funding requested (including Worktribe, or equivalent, costings)
- Section 3 – Research proposal and clinical aspect of role
Then submit the following via Qualtrics.
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Your fully completed SWL MRC-RACR Application Form (including Worktribe (or equivalent) costings)
- A CV (maximum 3 pages)
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Interviews will take place in January 2027 (exact date to be confirmed).
For further guidance applicants can email cato@imperial.ac.uk
Useful links
Contact us
The CATO Team and Radiographers Incubator work on a Hybrid model, combining days in the office with days working from home – the best way to reach us is by email.
cato@imperial.ac.uk
radresearch@imperial.ac.uk
+44 (0)20 3313 7397
