Clinician Researcher Training Pathway (CRTP) - Faculty of Medicine

The University of Queensland/Metro North Hospital and Health Service Clinician Researcher Training Pathway (CRTP) – Inaugural intake.

Vision

Strengthening Australian clinical research through the identification, training, and support of our future medical, nursing, midwifery, and allied health research leaders.

Overview

The inaugural Clinician Researcher Training Pathway (CRTP) brings together The University of Queensland and Metro North Hospital and Health Service (Metro North Health). It is designed to train and support future medical, nursing, midwifery, and allied health research experts through a structured and mentored pathway that includes time to prepare for and complete a PhD as well as protected time for post-doctoral research.

Applications are encouraged from Australian citizens and permanent residents who will be employed in Metro North Health from 2023 as registered clinicians, or including for medically-qualified applicants on a specialty training rotation that will bring the doctor to Metro North Health by February 2023.

Up to four places will be offered as part of the inaugural intake, supported through the award of a stipend of $50,000 per annum*.

Applications aligned to Metro North Health and UQ strategic imperatives are preferred. Applicants with an interest in surgery and surgical outcomes; infectious disease management and preventions; and cancer control and care are encouraged to apply, noting that CRTP is not restricted to these areas of research. All applicants must satisfy UQ Graduate School entry requirements for admission to Higher Degree by Research programs and must not be currently enrolled in a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) program.

Submissions will be accepted until 5pm AEST on 23 November 2022.

Short listed applicants will be invited to interview on 6th December 2022.

^{* In year 1 of the program the stipend is pro-rated at 50%. During full-time PhD studies, stipend is 100%. Scholarships for full-time students are generally not considered income for tax purposes, however it is the candidate’s responsibility to check tax implications for their scholarship and personal circumstances. There may be tax implications for part-time scholarships. For advice on whether or not a scholarship is taxable, candidates should use Is my scholarship taxable?, the Australian Taxation Office’s scholarship decision tool.}

About the program

CRTP is a structured, mentored concurrent clinical and research training pathway designed to develop and support our future clinical knowledge translators and innovators.

The University of Queensland and Metro North Health are in a fortunate position to be leveraging the work that the Go8 Deans of Medicine and MACH-Track have undertaken, which includes gaining support from specialist colleges and other peak bodies^#.

We are excited to be launching the program for the first time with Metro North Health. Through this initiative we are seeking to ensure our nation has secured future generations of clinician researchers, a driving force in healthcare innovation, working together for a healthier future for all.
Testimonial from Professor Stuart Carney, Dean, Medical School, UQ

The program includes an opportunity to undertake Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) program as well as protected time for post-doctoral research. It is designed to enable you to contribute to health knowledge in your field of specialty and gain expertise that is innovative, relevant, and progressive. 

^{#, For further information of the genesis of this exciting initiative we refer you to recent, relevant submissions and articles, specifically the Insight Plus article, the Go8 white paper to the Medical Workforce Reform Advisory Committee, and the AAHMS report.}

Doctors

UQ/Metro North Health CRTP will be attractive to research-minded doctors in training. It provides a clear research higher degree pathway with mentorship from experienced Clinician Researchers without major delays or interruptions to the completion of clinical training. UQ will provide financial support through a higher degree by research stipend and Metro North Health will offer the ability to work clinically throughout their research studies. It is anticipated that there will be protected time for research for up to three years post-PhD completion.

Intake for the 2023 Metro North Health cohort is now open. The framework integrates research training with vocational training and will run over at least five years: 

Year 0 (2022): during prevocational or vocational training, medical graduates prepare their application for a place in the cohort. 
Year 1 (2023): Clinician Research Registrar/Commence PhD – It is anticipated that Metro North Health will employ the carefully selected Clinician Research Registrar at 0.8FTE allowing time for part-time PhD enrolment. UQ will offer a part-time living stipend and tuition fee scholarship.

Years 2-4 (2024-2026): Full-time PhD enrolment – The candidate will undertake the PhD project on a full-time basis. UQ will offer a full-time living stipend and tuition fee scholarship as well as a Researcher Development Package to cover travel and professional development activities. It is anticipated that the trainee will maintain an employment relationship with Metro North Health with opportunities to work up to 0.2FTE clinically.
Year 5+ (2027+): Senior Clinician Research Registrar – As the Senior Clinician Research Registrar works towards completing clinical training, it is anticipated that Metro North Health will provide 0.2FTE protected research time. This will enable the trainee to defend their thesis (essential for progression to year 6), publish papers and apply for external funding. It is anticipated that up to three years of 0.2FTE protected research time will be offered while the trainee completes specialty training.
Independent Clinician Researcher: Although not guaranteed, we would hope that those who complete the pathway are able to secure a consultant-level appointment with Metro North Health including an academic appointment with UQ.

Pre-application enquiries

Medically qualified applicants must be on a vocational training program approved by the relevant Royal/Specialist College that will bring them to Metro North Health by February 2023. For specialties with two stage programs (e.g., RACP) trainees should ideally have secured a place in an advanced training program. Potential medically-qualified candidates concerned about eligibility should provide details of future position/s appointments in their relevant specialist college vocational training program.

Submit pre-application enquires to med.adr@uq.edu.au.

Need help identifying your Metro North Health Research Strategy aligned project?

The Metro North Health Research Strategy refresh is underway and provides an opportunity to set a collective vision of research excellence, to build on our strong culture of research to deliver exceptional health outcomes through globally recognised discovery and translation.

The inaugural Metro North Health Research strategy (2017-2022) outlines three main themes to encourage collaboration and excellence across the research continuum. The themes are achieving excellence in diagnostics, therapeutics, and health services research.

To identify aligned projects and find a Metro North Health-based supervisor for your advisory team contact your clinical manager, department manager or director (as appropriate) or the Metro North Office of Research via MetroNorthResearch@health.qld.gov.au or 3647 9631.

Your Metro North Health-based supervisor can be your Principal or Associate Advisor for your PhD. As a Principal Advisor, they will need to hold an appropriate UQ appointment. You will also need to identify a UQ-based advisor.

Do you need help finding a UQ-based advisor for your project?

The Faculty of Medicine is tackling complex medical problems that represent global challenges to human health. Medical and biomedical science research projects within the Faculty have already led to discoveries with far-reaching social and economic impacts, including the Gardasil vaccine for cervical cancer.

Explore our research

Find UQ-based researchers in your area of interest

Have questions? Submit pre-admission enquiries to med.adr@uq.edu.au

Ready to apply?

We encourage applications from medically qualified research-minded individuals with a passion to pursue a career as a clinician researcher and who are eager to assume a role as one of the future leaders of clinical innovation in Australia.

Apply now

Nurses and midwives

UQ/Metro North Health CRTP will be attractive to research-minded nurses and midwives. It provides a clear training pathway of clinical development, research training, and mentorship from experienced Clinician Researchers. We will provide financial support, through a higher degree by research stipend and Metro North Health will offer the ability to work clinically throughout their research studies. It is anticipated that there will be protected time for research for up to three years post-PhD completion.

Intake for the 2023 Metro North Health cohort is now open to nurses and midwives employed at Metro North Health. The framework integrates research training with clinical development and will run over at least five years: 

Year 0 (2022): Nursing and midwifery candidates who have completed at least two years of employment since graduating prepare their application for a place in the cohort.

Year 1 (2023): Clinician Researcher / commence MPhil or PhD, depending on previous research qualification/experience. For those without the requisite research qualifications/experience, it is anticipated that Metro North Health will employ the carefully selected Clinician Researcher nurse or midwife 0.5FTE, allowing for part-time MPhil enrolment. UQ will offer a part-time living stipend and tuition fee scholarship. During MPhil candidature, candidates seek to transfer to the PhD program through UQ’s Progress Review process at the end of year 1. For those with suitable research qualifications/experience, it is anticipated that Metro North Health will employ the carefully selected Clinician Researcher nurse or midwife 0.8FTE, allowing for part-time PhD enrolment. UQ will offer a part-time living stipend and tuition fee scholarship.
Years 2-4 (2024-2026): Full-time PhD enrolment – The candidate will undertake the PhD project on a full-time basis. UQ will offer a full-time living stipend and tuition fee scholarship as well as a Researcher Development Package to cover travel and professional development activities. It is anticipated that the Clinician Researcher will maintain an employment relationship with Metro North Health with opportunities to work up to 0.2FTE clinically.
Year 5+ (2027+): It is anticipated that Metro North Health will provide 0.2FTE protected research time. This will enable the Clinician Researcher to defend their thesis (essential for progression to year 6), publish papers and apply for external funding. It is anticipated that up to three years of 0.2FTE protected research time will be offered as part of the pathway.
Independent Clinician Researcher: Although not guaranteed, we would hope that those who complete the pathway are able to secure a clinician-researcher appointment with Metro North Health including an academic appointment with UQ.

Need help identifying your Metro North Health Research Strategy aligned project?

Do you need help finding a UQ-based advisor for your project?

The Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences is at the forefront of innovation in health education and research. Our research is interdisciplinary, applied, intensive and, world leading. 

Explore our research

Find UQ-based researchers in your area of interest

Have questions? Submit pre-admission enquiries to med.adr@uq.edu.au

Ready to apply?

We encourage applications from high potential, research-minded individuals with a passion to pursue a career as a clinician researcher and who are eager to assume a role as one of the future leaders of clinical innovation in Australia.

Apply now

Allied health

UQ/Metro North Health CRTP will be attractive to research-minded allied health clinicians. It provides a clear training pathway, minimal delays to the completion of clinical training, and mentorship from experienced Clinician Researchers. We will provide financial support, through a higher degree by research stipend and Metro North Health will offer the ability to work clinically throughout their research studies. It is anticipated that there will be protected time for research for up to three years post-PhD completion.

Intake for the 2023 Metro North Health cohort is now open to allied health practitioners employed at Metro North Health. The framework integrates research training with advanced practice and development and will run over at least five years: 

Year 0 (2022): allied health candidates who have completed at a minimum their graduate year prepare their application for a place in the cohort.
Year 1 (2023): Clinician Researcher / commence MPhil or PhD, depending on previous research qualification/experience. For those without the requisite research qualifications/experience, it is anticipated that Metro North Health will employ the carefully selected Clinician Researcher 0.5FTE, allowing for part-time MPhil enrolment. UQ will offer a part-time living stipend and tuition fee scholarship. During MPhil candidature, candidates seek to transfer to the PhD program through UQ’s Progress Review process at the end of year 1. For those with suitable research qualifications/experience, it is anticipated that Metro North Health will employ the carefully selected Clinician Researcher 0.8FTE, allowing for part-time PhD enrolment. UQ will offer a part-time living stipend and tuition fee scholarship.
Years 2-4 (2024-2026): Full-time PhD enrolment – The candidate will undertake the PhD project on a full-time basis. UQ will offer a full-time living stipend and tuition fee scholarship as well as a Researcher Development Package to cover travel and professional development activities. It is anticipated that the Clinician Researcher will maintain an employment relationship with Metro North Health with opportunities to work up to 0.2FTE clinically.
Year 5+ (2027+): Post-PhD - It is anticipated that Metro North Health will provide 0.2FTE protected research time. This will enable the Clinician Researcher to defend their thesis (essential for progression to year 6), publish papers and apply for external funding. Up to three years of 0.2FTE protected research time is anticipated as part of the pathway.

Independent Clinician Researcher: Although not guaranteed, we would hope that those who complete the pathway are able to secure a clinician-researcher appointment with Metro North Health including an academic appointment with UQ.

Submit pre-admission enquires to med.adr@uq.edu.au.

Need help identifying your Metro North Health Research Strategy aligned project?

Do you need help finding a UQ-based advisor for your project?

The Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences is at the forefront of innovation in health education and research. Our research is interdisciplinary, applied, intensive and, world leading. 

Explore our research

Find UQ-based researchers in your area of interest

Have questions? Submit pre-admission enquiries to med.adr@uq.edu.au

Ready to apply?

Apply now

Important dates

For the 2023 UQ/Metro North Health CRTP intake:

Mid-October 2022: Applications open
23 November: Applications close at 5pm (AEST)

By 30 November 2022: Notification to short-listed applicants
6 December: Short-listed candidates are interviewed
Mid-December: Successful candidates are offered a place in the program and commence UQ Graduate School online application
By 29 January 2023: successful applicants complete UQ Graduate School online application
April 2023: Candidates commence their concurrent training program

Building the pipeline of future medical, nursing, midwifery, and allied health clinician researchers

The University of Queensland/Metro North Hospital and Health Service Clinician Researcher Training Pathway (CRTP) – Inaugural intake.

Vision

Overview

About the program

Doctors

Nurses and midwives

Allied health

Important dates