Securing an academic position is often a competitive endeavour. To enhance your prospects, consider:

1. Seek Guidance

Reach out to current academic infection trainees. Their insights about the application process can be invaluable.

2. Engage with research groups

Get in touch with the research group you're keen on joining. Meeting them could lead to involvement in small projects. If possible, consider:

• Applying for research grants, such as early careers researchers grant/seedcorn funding. See CV boosting section.
• Presenting your findings at gatherings like the BIA trainee days or FIS. Aiming to publish your work and/or think about contributing to publications like the RCPath Bulletin. Even penning a case report can make a difference.
• Strengthen Your Profile: Show dedication to academia: Participate in the National Academic Trainee Network Meetings. They offer peer support, networking opportunities, and research skills training.

Three main sources of predoctoral research time in infection

• NIHR ACF (https://www.nihr.ac.uk/explore-nihr/academy-programmes/integrated-academic-training.htm)
• HIS Graham Ayliffe fellowship (https://www.his.org.uk/funding-awards/graham-ayliffe-fellowship/ )
• Locally funded clinical research fellow (OOPE)

1. Attend / Join Trainee Networks (NITCAR, ESCMID TAE, local trainee rep)

Trainee networks provide opportunity for shared learning, collaboration and leadership experience. Joining networks such as NITCAR and ESCMID TAE not only broadens one's professional connections but also provides avenues for interdisciplinary work. Becoming the local rep showcases committee to specialty, time management, leadership, etc.

2. Write

Penning down your experiences, findings, and insights gives you a voice in the academic community. This could be in the form of case studies from clinical practice, reviews of current methodologies, or opinion pieces on recent advancements. Every piece you write not only adds to your academic repertoire and at the early stages the impact factor of the journal matters less, what’s important is showing the output. Starting with small articles or case reports can eventually lead to more comprehensive research papers, gradually establishing yourself in the field.

3. Present

Showcasing your work through presentations, be it at local rounds or international conferences, is essential for recognition. By presenting a unique case from your clinical practice or sharing the results of a small-scale study, you can invite feedback, collaborate, and even inspire others. It’s about taking small steps, from presenting at local events to aiming for larger platforms, ensuring that your work gains the visibility it deserves. This also serves to develop further outputs and communication/presentation skills

4. Teach / Supervise

Teaching provides many advantages. Not only do you solidify your understanding of complex topics when you teach them, but you also shape the next generation of clinicians and gain important feedback. Teaching is an important aspect of an academic career and you will need to evidence your commitment, interest and progression as a teacher and supervisor, especially as you progress. 

5. PPI

Involving patients and the public in clinical research ensures that the work remains relevant, ethical, and patient-centered. From gathering feedback about a new treatment protocol to understanding patient apprehensions about a procedure, PPI is crucial. Also, now a mandatory element in fellowship applications (exception might be fundamental science projects, although good justification must be given as to why it was not completed)

6. Small grants

Obtaining funding is a seen as cornerstone of progress. While large research grants are often the coveted gold standard, it's the small grants that often serve as stepping stones to larger opportunities. Starting with smaller grants develops grant-writing and budgeting  skills, while navigating the complexities of project management in a relatively low-risk environment. Again, it’s all about building a trajectory. Start small and leverage the strength of your supervisory team and published outputs from your research group.

• BIA http://britishinfection.org/research-grants/grants-trainees
• Local charities (hospital)
• Microbiology society https://microbiologysociety.org/grants-prizes/all-grants-prizes.html
• Association of clinical pathologists (travel grants for trainees)
• ESCMID https://www.escmid.org/membership-organisation/escmid-research-grants#:~:text=ESCMID%20Research%20Grants%20help%20young,mid%20to%20late%20January%202024 

Supervisor Selection

Choosing the right supervisor can be likened to setting the compass for your academic journey. The right mentor offers not just expertise and knowledge, but guidance, support, and invaluable connections in the field. Look for someone with a proven track record, not just in research output, but in mentorship as well. It's essential that they understand your career aspirations, strengths, and areas of growth. You’ll need more than one!

Project selection

The allure of venturing into uncharted territories in research is undeniable. However, aligning your project with the strengths and expertise of your research group increases the likelihood of both funding and project success. Familiarity brings with it a wealth of background knowledge, existing resources, and perhaps most importantly, recognized credibility in the specific area of study. Before embarking on a project, ensure it lies at the intersection of your passion, the research group's strengths, and the current needs or gaps in the field. Funders often look for not just the potential impact of the research but also the capability of the research team to deliver on the project. Venturing too far away from the group's core competencies could be perceived as high risk.

Collaboration

Funders frequently look for projects that not only tackle pressing questions but also demonstrate collaboration from different fields. Collaborating with recognized experts in a particular domain enriches your project, providing varied perspectives and credibility. By merging the strengths of two or more disciplines, you're more likely to identify novel approaches, techniques, or perspectives that might be overlooked within the confines of a single field. Moreover, consider the value of a second centre placement. Spending time at another institution or research group can be transformative. This opportunity allows you to immerse yourself in a different research culture, acquire new skills, and form relationships that can lead to future collaborations. Returning to your original research group with these newly acquired skills and fresh perspectives is invaluable.

• National schemes - MRC, NIHR
• Regional schemes -  Wellcome (4wardNorth)
• Charity funding - BHF, CRUK, VA
• Industry funding
• Local – NIHR BRC fellows

Networking

1. Early Engagement

Involving PPI representatives at the early stages of your research project is essential. Funders often require this, and it significantly enhances the design and relevance of studies. Collaborating early allows for more meaningful contributions and fosters stronger partnerships.

2. Roles of PPI Groups

PPI groups can provide valuable input across several aspects of research, including:

• Reviewing and designing the research project plan and study protocol.
• Assessing and designing study documents, such as questionnaires, consent forms, and patient information leaflets.
• Contributing to the ethical approval application and possibly attending Research Ethics Committee (REC) meetings.
• Drafting lay summaries of grant applications, ensuring that the research is communicated clearly to a non-specialist audience.
• Offering insights into participant recruitment strategies and ways to boost recruitment rates.
• Assisting in the dissemination of study results to a wider public audience.

3. Focus of PPI Input

PPI group members are particularly interested in understanding how the study will affect participants, considering:

• The practical implications for patients.
• The ethical concerns involved in the study.
• Any financial, physical, or psychological burdens on participants.
• The potential barriers to participation and ways to address them.
• How the research results will be communicated to the public and patients.

4. Collaboration and Recognition

Depending on the level of input, you may wish to consider involving PPI representatives as co-applicants or collaborators on your grant applications. This provides formal recognition of their contribution and can strengthen your proposal.

5. Practical Considerations for PPI Meetings

If holding in-person meetings with PPI representatives, consider logistical factors such as:

• A convenient location and venue that accommodates their needs.
• Providing catering, especially for longer meetings.
• Preparing a clear agenda to guide discussions.
• Offering reimbursement for time and travel expenses. Applying for a small PPI-focused grant may support these costs, and guidance on reimbursement is available through resources like the INVOLVE guidelines.

6. Institutional Support

University or Hospital R&D departments typically maintain contact details for local PPI groups. Establishing these connections early ensures you can incorporate their insights effectively throughout your research process.