Academic GP Fellow

Salary: £61,741 per annum PLUS a bursary of up to £10,000 per annum if working in specified Health Boards

Contract: Fixed Term for 2 years. 40 hours per week. (This is a full-time post but applications from individuals seeking part time, job-share or flexible working arrangements are welcome)

Location: Swansea University Medical School and GP Practices in West Wales

Established in 2004, Swansea University Medical School is an internationally recognised centre of excellence in medical research, education and innovation.  The Medical School has three main activities: learning and teaching, research, and business and innovation. Key milestones range from the creation of the Graduate Entry Medicine (GEM) programme in 2004, opening of the Institute of Life Science phase one (ILS1) in 2007 and phase two (ILS2) and the Centre for NanoHealth in 2011, to earning the right to award Primary Medical Qualifications (PMQ) independent of any other institution in 2014.  

Today, Swansea University Medical School is home to a growing range of courses, from undergraduate Genetics, Biochemistry and Applied Medical Sciences degrees to postgraduate taught and research opportunities aligned with research strengths in Biomarkers and Genes, Microbes and Immunity, Devices and Patient and Population Health and Informatics.  Swansea University Medical School enjoyed spectacular success in the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2014  and regularly triumphs in league tables and surveys. 

Typically an Academic Fellow, at the end of the scheme, may go on to practice in the Health Board they have been involved with and supported as a Fellow, whilst maintaining close links with Swansea University Medical School in teaching and research. Ideally, they would also continue to teach undergraduates in their practices and become GP trainers.

In a rapidly changing professional world this is an unrivalled opportunity to gain experience and qualifications that would prepare a GP for wider future professional opportunities and for a portfolio career in General Practice.

This is an exciting new scheme that will provide an excellent career opportunity for newly qualified or established General Practitioners who want to gain knowledge and experience in medical education and research. In addition, it is hoped that the successful applicants will gain further higher qualifications in their field of interest. Applicants wishing to pursue the Fellowship scheme on a less than full time basis are welcome to apply.

The Academic Fellows will be based in Swansea University Medical School for three days a week and for the other two days will be based in GP practices in Hywel Dda University Health Board, Powys Teaching Health Board or Swansea Bay University Health Board, providing support to a general practice to improve patient care and practice systems.

The programme lasts for two years; Fellows will be based for a minimum of six months and a maximum of one year in different practices (i.e. up to four practices during the programme). In view of the rurality of some areas of the practices involved in the Academic Fellowship scheme, suitable placements will be discussed with the successful applicants.

The scheme provides an ideal opportunity for clinicians to develop a career in:

• Medical education. They will be expected to make a contribution to teaching medical students, in the University environment and/or in their hospital / GP placement. Successful applicants will be expected to take a lead on delivery of a component of the undergraduate medical programme under supervision. They will also be supported to study for a postgraduate diploma or masters’ degree in medical education.
• Academic research. Considerable individual support will be provided by staff of Swansea Medical School to ensure the Fellow’s professional and personal development. Successful applicants will be helped to find an area of research of interest to them that can be supported by the medical school’s extensive research programmes. The opportunity to study for a higher degree will be made available to the successful applicants (eg MD or MSc by research). Significant individual academic support will be provided. In addition, financial support will be offered to the fellows who wish to pursue higher qualifications.

No previous academic experience is required. Fellows will be expected to develop both teaching and research strengths, but the path chosen by the fellow will be dependent on their own interest.
Limited funds are available to support Fellows wishing to pursue higher qualifications, e.g. a postgraduate diploma or masters’ degree in medical education or MD or MSc by research.

Essential Criteria

Applicants are asked to provide a completed online application providing evidence against the essential criteria in the recruitment documentation.  Applicants should also attach an up to date Curriculum Vitae.

The University is committed to supporting and promoting equality and diversity in all of its practices and activities. We aim to establish an inclusive environment and welcome diverse applications from the following protected characteristics: age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race (including colour, nationality, ethnic and national origin), religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation.

We have an under-representation of women in the area of academia and would particularly welcome applications from women for this position. We also have an under representation of individuals from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) backgrounds and would encourage applications from these groups. Appointments will always be made on merit.

The role provides an exciting opportunity to join Swansea University Medical School, one of the UK’s leading Medical Schools.

Swansea University Medical School provides an interdisciplinary approach, educating and training the next generation of doctors, life scientists, and health professionals. It collaborates with the NHS, business and the third sector in a spirit of open innovation and has established itself as a world-class place to learn, research and innovate.  The Medical School ranks 1st in the UK for research environment and 2nd for overall research quality (REF2014-2021) and 3rd for Medicine (The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2021). 

The Medical School became the first department within the University to achieve an Equality Challenge Unit (ECU) Athena SWAN Charter Silver Award in 2015, and was re-awarded in 2019 in recognition of its commitment to equality. The University also holds the Athena SWAN Charter Silver Award.

Swansea University has been awarded the UK Government’s Teaching Excellence and Student Outcome Framework (TEF) Gold award to recognise its excellent teaching standards.

Informal enquiries and further information

Informal enquiries are welcome and should be directed to; please Dr Jonathan Harikrishnan, Interim Programme Director [email protected]