Fellows will be encouraged to identify and continually reassess their training needs and will have access to a substantial catalogue of development activities to create a bespoke package of training to suit their needs as a researcher.
To this end, a Development Needs Panel (DNP) will be established for each Fellow. The DNP will work with the Fellow and supervisors to develop an individually-tailored training programme.
The SDF training programme has been designed to include short taught workshops/modules from both external and internal sources at the beginning of the programme. These will be intensive workshops and courses at which Fellows are taught discrete basic theory and fundamentals. These will be followed by consolidation placements where Fellows will be given time to apply their knowledge to real-world problems. By the end of the programme, Fellows will be equipped with the skills required to write independent grants and advance their careers.
Year 1 will focus on quantitative skills.
Year 2 will focus on training within the principle translational domain of the project and Fellow.
Year 3 will focus on consolidating translational ‘bridge scientist’ training.
All Fellows will be expected to undertake at least one consolidation placement externally, typically overseas. LSTM and Lancaster have a proven track record of embedding early career researchers with off-site partners through both our MRC Doctoral Training Partnership and Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Programme.
Fellows will also engage in professional, and transferable skills training, participating in sessions and real-life activities in scientific writing, public engagement, and developing grant proposals. Advancement in the latter will culminate in submission of an application to LSTM’s Director's Catalyst Fund; an annual scheme providing multiple awards of around £50k to support high-quality projects requiring preliminary work or feasibility studies to evolve to a point where they are competitive for external funding.