{"id":35,"date":"2026-02-19T11:51:17","date_gmt":"2026-02-19T11:51:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/medicine.st-andrews.ac.uk\/stafcat\/?page_id=35"},"modified":"2026-06-17T17:11:40","modified_gmt":"2026-06-17T16:11:40","slug":"students","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/medicine.st-andrews.ac.uk\/stafcat\/career-path\/students\/","title":{"rendered":"Students & Early-Career"},"content":{"rendered":"

[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Global Section – Main Menu” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#0071b3″ min_height=”38px” max_height=”150px” custom_margin=”||-20px||false|false” custom_padding=”5px||0px||false|false” saved_tabs=”all” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” min_height=”81px” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_menu menu_id=”11″ active_link_color=”#ffffff” _builder_version=”4.23.1″ _module_preset=”default” menu_text_color=”#FFFFFF” menu_font_size=”16px” background_color=”#0071b3″ background_layout=”dark” custom_margin=”||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_menu][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”WHITE SECTION – SPOTLIGHT” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”0px||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||25px||false|false” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][lwp_divi_breadcrumbs home_text=”StAFCAT” font_icon=”5||divi||400″ _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” module_font=”||||||||” custom_margin=”-20px||||false|false” global_module=”95″ saved_tabs=”all” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/lwp_divi_breadcrumbs][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text – Heading” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” header_font=”|700|||||||” header_font_size=”45px” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Clinical Academia in Training Years<\/h1>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”2_3,1_3″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_padding=”4px||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”2_3″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

It\u2019s never early to begin considering a future as a Clinical Academic.<\/p>\n

You don\u2019t need to be in a substantive post to begin preparing yourself for a career in clinical academia, there are things you can do as a student or in your foundation years that can help too!<\/p>\n

We’ve collated some information that we think might be useful below, as well as providing some additional resources and links in the buttons on the right-hand side of the page.<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_button button_text=”Open all” button_alignment=”right” module_id=”open-close-button” module_class=”open-all-btn” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” custom_button=”on” button_text_size=”16px” button_text_color=”#0C71C3″ button_bg_color=”#FFFFFF” button_border_width=”0px” button_font=”|300|||on||||” button_use_icon=”off” custom_margin=”||13px||false|false” custom_padding=”||0px||false|false” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” button_bg_color__hover_enabled=”on|hover” button_bg_color__hover=”#FFFFFF” button_bg_enable_color__hover=”on”][\/et_pb_button][et_pb_accordion open_toggle_text_color=”#0071b3″ closed_toggle_text_color=”#0071b3″ toggle_icon=”3||divi||400″ icon_color=”#00539b” use_icon_font_size=”on” icon_font_size=”45px” admin_label=”Accordion – Questions” module_id=”open-close-accordion” module_class=”pa-add-accordion-icon” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ toggle_text_color=”#0071b3″ toggle_level=”h3″ toggle_font=”|700|||on||||” background_color=”#FFFFFF” custom_css_toggle=”margin-bottom: 0 !important;” border_width_all=”0px” border_color_all=”#FFFFFF” border_width_top=”0px” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_accordion_item title=”Dummy Item” open=”on” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_css_main_element=”display: none;” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”How does Clinical Academia fit in my career path?” title_tablet=”Download the ScotGEM Launchpad checklist” title_phone=”Download the ScotGEM Launchpad checklist” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ background_color=”#FFFFFF” background_enable_color=”on” background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_horizontal_offset=”0px” background_vertical_offset=”0px” background_repeat=”repeat” background_pattern_horizontal_offset=”0px” background_pattern_vertical_offset=”0px” vertical_offset_tablet=”0″ vertical_offset_phone=”0″ horizontal_offset_tablet=”0″ horizontal_offset_phone=”0″ background_color_gradient_direction_tablet=”180deg” background_color_gradient_direction_phone=”180deg” background_color_gradient_stops_tablet=”#2b87da 0%|#29c4a9 100%” background_color_gradient_stops_phone=”#2b87da 0%|#29c4a9 100%” background_color_gradient_start_position_tablet=”0%” background_color_gradient_start_position_phone=”0%” background_color_gradient_end_position_tablet=”100%” background_color_gradient_end_position_phone=”100%” background_image_width_tablet=”auto” background_image_width_phone=”auto” background_image_height_tablet=”auto” background_image_height_phone=”auto” background_horizontal_offset_tablet=”0px” background_horizontal_offset_phone=”0px” background_vertical_offset_tablet=”0px” background_vertical_offset_phone=”0px” background_pattern_style_tablet=”polka-dots” background_pattern_style_phone=”polka-dots” background_pattern_width_tablet=”auto” background_pattern_width_phone=”auto” background_pattern_height_tablet=”auto” background_pattern_height_phone=”auto” background_pattern_horizontal_offset_tablet=”0px” background_pattern_horizontal_offset_phone=”0px” background_pattern_vertical_offset_tablet=”0px” background_pattern_vertical_offset_phone=”0px” background_mask_style_tablet=”layer-blob” background_mask_style_phone=”layer-blob” background_mask_width_tablet=”auto” background_mask_width_phone=”auto” background_mask_height_tablet=”auto” background_mask_height_phone=”auto” background_mask_horizontal_offset_tablet=”0px” background_mask_horizontal_offset_phone=”0px” background_mask_vertical_offset_tablet=”0px” background_mask_vertical_offset_phone=”0px” z_index_tablet=”1″ z_index_phone=”1″ hover_transition_duration_tablet=”300ms” hover_transition_duration_phone=”300ms” hover_transition_delay_tablet=”0ms” hover_transition_delay_phone=”0ms” border_width_top=”1px” border_color_top=”#000000″ global_colors_info=”{}” toggle_font_size=”18px” open=”off”]<\/p>\n

As you may have noticed from the website, something that we are keen to emphasise is that there is no one-set path that you need to take to pursue a career in Clinical Academia – in fact, it rarely follows any kind of standard path.<\/p>\n

This flexibility is one of the many advantages of this career option, allowing you to really follow and engage with the areas and topics that interest you most, forging your own path to discovery and healthcare improvement.<\/p>\n

The CATCH website has a fantastic resource<\/a> to help you navigate how this might look, and what each stage might represent!<\/p>\n

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[\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”What can I be doing right now?” title_tablet=”Read essential documents: ScotGEM Student Contract ” title_phone=”Read essential documents: ScotGEM Student Contract ” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ background_color=”#FFFFFF” background_enable_color=”on” background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_horizontal_offset=”0px” background_vertical_offset=”0px” background_repeat=”repeat” background_pattern_horizontal_offset=”0px” background_pattern_vertical_offset=”0px” vertical_offset_tablet=”0″ vertical_offset_phone=”0″ horizontal_offset_tablet=”0″ horizontal_offset_phone=”0″ background_color_gradient_direction_tablet=”180deg” background_color_gradient_direction_phone=”180deg” background_color_gradient_stops_tablet=”#2b87da 0%|#29c4a9 100%” background_color_gradient_stops_phone=”#2b87da 0%|#29c4a9 100%” background_color_gradient_start_position_tablet=”0%” background_color_gradient_start_position_phone=”0%” background_color_gradient_end_position_tablet=”100%” background_color_gradient_end_position_phone=”100%” background_image_width_tablet=”auto” background_image_width_phone=”auto” background_image_height_tablet=”auto” background_image_height_phone=”auto” background_horizontal_offset_tablet=”0px” background_horizontal_offset_phone=”0px” background_vertical_offset_tablet=”0px” background_vertical_offset_phone=”0px” background_pattern_style_tablet=”polka-dots” background_pattern_style_phone=”polka-dots” background_pattern_width_tablet=”auto” background_pattern_width_phone=”auto” background_pattern_height_tablet=”auto” background_pattern_height_phone=”auto” background_pattern_horizontal_offset_tablet=”0px” background_pattern_horizontal_offset_phone=”0px” background_pattern_vertical_offset_tablet=”0px” background_pattern_vertical_offset_phone=”0px” background_mask_style_tablet=”layer-blob” background_mask_style_phone=”layer-blob” background_mask_width_tablet=”auto” background_mask_width_phone=”auto” background_mask_height_tablet=”auto” background_mask_height_phone=”auto” background_mask_horizontal_offset_tablet=”0px” background_mask_horizontal_offset_phone=”0px” background_mask_vertical_offset_tablet=”0px” background_mask_vertical_offset_phone=”0px” z_index_tablet=”1″ z_index_phone=”1″ hover_transition_duration_tablet=”300ms” hover_transition_duration_phone=”300ms” hover_transition_delay_tablet=”0ms” hover_transition_delay_phone=”0ms” border_width_top=”1px” border_color_top=”#000000″ global_colors_info=”{}” toggle_font_size=”18px” open=”off”]<\/p>\n

If you think you might be interested in a career combining both Clinical work and Academic activity (research and\/or teaching), there are steps that you can take even during your time as a student or early in your career!<\/p>\n

At this point, it’s largely about building your skillset wherever possible. This may entail summer studentships or other research opportunities, aiding with conferences as a volunteer, your undergraduate research dissertation (i.e. MD4002 for St Andrews MBChB students), or by joining academic research societies.<\/p>\n

As a budding early-career Academic, it’s all about gaining exposure and insights, skill development, and making sure that this is something that you want to do!<\/p>\n

For more information, check out this page on the CATCH website<\/a>.<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”What opportunities can St Andrews give me?” title_tablet=”Read essential documents: School of Medicine Handbook \/ScotGEM section ” title_phone=”Read essential documents: School of Medicine Handbook \/ScotGEM section ” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ background_color=”#FFFFFF” background_enable_color=”on” background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_horizontal_offset=”0px” background_vertical_offset=”0px” background_repeat=”repeat” background_pattern_horizontal_offset=”0px” background_pattern_vertical_offset=”0px” vertical_offset_tablet=”0″ vertical_offset_phone=”0″ horizontal_offset_tablet=”0″ horizontal_offset_phone=”0″ background_color_gradient_direction_tablet=”180deg” background_color_gradient_direction_phone=”180deg” background_color_gradient_start_position_tablet=”0%” background_color_gradient_start_position_phone=”0%” background_color_gradient_end_position_tablet=”100%” background_color_gradient_end_position_phone=”100%” z_index_tablet=”1″ z_index_phone=”1″ hover_transition_duration_tablet=”300ms” hover_transition_duration_phone=”300ms” hover_transition_delay_tablet=”0ms” hover_transition_delay_phone=”0ms” border_width_top=”1px” border_color_top=”#000000″ global_colors_info=”{}” toggle_font_size=”18px” open=”off”]<\/p>\n

There are a number of opportunities available to you here at St Andrews, irrespective of your current career stage.<\/p>\n

As part of your undergraduate course here you will get an opportunity to do research (such as your MD4002 or Agents of Change modules). We also offer summer project opportunities through a number of avenues, some of which are even paid roles! These include the School of Medicine’s Vacational Scholars Programme<\/a> (which you can find out more about within the School Handbook), or more broadly the University’s Laidlaw Scholars Leadership and Research Programme<\/a> (unfortunately currently unavailable to our ScotGEM and ScotCOM students). It’s also worth looking out for any research assistant roles that might be advertised by researchers within the School who need a helping hand!<\/p>\n

Additionally, outside of your studies, you could get involved with the Bute Medical Society, or our new Medical Research Society<\/p>\n

If you’re already finished with your undergraduate and are now a qualified clinician, there are still other opportunities for you here too. We offer postgraduate research<\/a> Masters courses and PhDs, as well as formalised posts such as SCREDs lectureship<\/a> positions.<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”Who should I contact if I\u2019m interested?” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#FFFFFF” background_enable_color=”on” background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_horizontal_offset=”0px” background_vertical_offset=”0px” background_repeat=”repeat” background_pattern_horizontal_offset=”0px” background_pattern_vertical_offset=”0px” border_width_top=”1px” border_color_top=”#000000″ border_width_bottom=”1px” border_color_bottom=”#000000″ global_colors_info=”{}” toggle_font_size=”18px” open=”off”]<\/p>\n

If you think you may be interested in Clinical Academia and you want to find out more, there are people here in the School that you can contact.<\/p>\n

If you’re already a student here in the School of Medicine, you can contact your personal tutor, who will either be able to give you more information, or put you in touch with a team of others that can. Or perhaps you have a specific area of interest in mind for research, and you know that we have a lab group here that study this already – feel free to reach out to these groups as potential supervisors!<\/p>\n

For other general enquiries, you can contact Dr Andreas Haag, our Undergraduate Research lead here in the School of Medicine – who will be happy to help, signpost and provide more information. To get in touch, you can email Andreas at ugmedresearch@st-andrews.ac.uk.\u00a0<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_accordion_item][\/et_pb_accordion][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/medicine.st-andrews.ac.uk\/stafcat\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/90\/2026\/02\/Picture2.jpg” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_button button_url=”https:\/\/medicine.st-andrews.ac.uk\/stafcat\/resources\/our-stories\/” button_text=”Case studies” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” custom_button=”on” button_text_color=”#FFFFFF” button_use_icon=”off” hover_enabled=”0″ locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″][\/et_pb_button][et_pb_button button_url=”https:\/\/medicine.st-andrews.ac.uk\/research-careers\/” button_text=”Guide for UStA Medical Students” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” custom_button=”on” button_text_color=”#FFFFFF” button_use_icon=”off” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_button][et_pb_button button_url=”https:\/\/medicine.st-andrews.ac.uk\/news\/category\/pgr-opportunities\/” button_text=”Opportunities” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” custom_button=”on” button_text_color=”#FFFFFF” button_use_icon=”off” background_layout=”dark” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_button][et_pb_button button_url=”https:\/\/medicine.st-andrews.ac.uk\/stafcat\/career-path\/mid-career\/screds\/” button_text=”SCREDS Lectureships” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” custom_button=”on” button_text_color=”#FFFFFF” button_use_icon=”off” background_layout=”dark” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_button][et_pb_button button_url=”https:\/\/www.catch.ac.uk\/navigating-a-clinical-academic-career\/developing-research-skills\/” button_text=”Research Skills” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” custom_button=”on” button_text_color=”#FFFFFF” button_use_icon=”off” background_layout=”dark” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_button][et_pb_button button_url=”https:\/\/www.catch.ac.uk\/careers\/medicine\/applying-for-a-phd-or-md\/” button_text=”Applying for MSc or PhD” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” custom_button=”on” button_text_color=”#FFFFFF” button_use_icon=”off” background_layout=”dark” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_button][et_pb_button button_url=”https:\/\/www.catch.ac.uk\/navigating-a-clinical-academic-career\/finding-a-supervisor\/” button_text=”Choosing a Supervisor” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” custom_button=”on” button_text_color=”#FFFFFF” button_use_icon=”off” background_layout=”dark” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_button][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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