The Clinical School benefits considerably from individuals not employed by the University who contribute to the delivery and/or organisation of the clinical course, graduate courses, and/or research activities.
A number of University titles recognise these important contributions – the name of the title, and associated benefits, depend on the level of contribution as well as the nature of the activity.
There is also an annual process through which consultant colleagues at Cambridge University Hospitals Foundation Trust can apply to the Clinical School for ‘recognition’ of additional PAs for undergraduate teaching over and above the standard SPAs recognised in job plans. The purpose of this process is to ensure that CUH has the information required to ensure that job plans reflect individuals’ undergraduate teaching activities. Please see here, for more information on this annual process. It should be noted that this process does not lead to recognition by the award of a title; however, individuals who apply via this process may also wish to apply for a title such as Senior Clinical Tutor or Affiliated Assistant Professor – the two processes are separate and distinct.
A number of individuals contribute via both teaching and research, and so the following information covers both aspects, unless indicated otherwise.
Titles for the recognition of non-University employees
The School recognises that individuals contribute to the University in different ways. The application process and award of titles recognises this. There are three different ‘domains’ for application – predominantly teaching, advice should be sought from the predominantly research, and impact. Those who are interested in applying for a title will need to decide in which domain they feel they make the strongest contribution. They will also need to consider, and take advice if necessary, the most appropriate level of title to apply for. For applications predominantly on the basis of teaching, advice should be sought from the clinical Sub-Dean at the relevant Trust (for Clinical Course teaching),or from Professor Fiona Gribble, the School’s Director of Postgraduate Education (for postgraduate taught courses). For applications predominantly on the basis of research, advice should be sought from the Head of the relevant Clinical School department. For applications on the basis of impact, advice should be sought from Dr Miles Parkes at Cambridge Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.
Information on the different titles, and their eligibility criteria, are given under the expandable sections below. These summarise titles available on the basis of either predominantly teaching or predominantly research contributions. Exceptionally, titles may be awarded on the basis of broader areas of activity which are of key importance to the School’s strategic partnerships and operational arrangements which facilitate the University’s mission of excellence in teaching and research. This is referred to as application on the basis of ‘impact’, and further information is given, where relevant, in the expandable sections below.
TEACHING TITLES
Given the important contribution of a large number of consultant colleagues across the East of England region in the teaching of University of Cambridge medical students, the title of Senior Clinical Tutor exists to recognise the contributions of consultants and GPs who provide formal teaching in addition to “on-the-job teaching” during service activities. Non-clinicians undertaking teaching on an ongoing basis for a course within the School of Clinical Medicine, are able to apply for the title of Affiliated Lecturer, instead. This title is also awarded to consultants or GPs with greater levels of contribution, who are working on increasing their contributions but do not yet meet the eligibility criteria for Affiliated Assistant Professor. Affiliated titles may be awarded to eligible consultants, GPs, allied healthcare professionals, clinical skills tutors, external researchers or teachers, who meet the eligibility criteria and can demonstrate sizeable, significant, or substantial contributions to the School’s teaching programmes. Junior doctors are not eligible for Clinical School titles; however, junior doctors may apply to undertake the role of Clinical Supervisor for students on the clinical course.
RESEARCH TITLES
The titles of Honorary Visiting Fellow (HVF) and Honorary Senior Visiting Fellow (HSVF) currently recognise research contributions, and will continue in parallel with the new affiliated titles. Whilst in some cases the award of Honorary Visiting Fellow may recognise an ongoing collaboration where the contribution is not at the sizeable level required for an affiliated title, in many cases it is the nature of the individual’s employment and the length of their relationship with the University, that will be the determining factors. The tiles of HVF and HSVF are very appropriate for academic visitors, including very senior visitors, employed by another university, spending a defined period of time at a Clinical School department to further their research. Individuals with a more long-standing relationship with the University, which is expected to continue, could be considered for an affiliated title if their contribution to the University is sizeable enough to meet the criteria. For details of the criteria, and examples of different types of contributions which might meet these criteria, please see the information linked to under the different tile headings, below.
The titles used for the recognition of non-University staff are designed to mirror the titles of University academic staff. As of October 2021, the University implemented new academic titles, which map to the previous titles in the following way:
| Previous titles | New titles |
|---|---|
| Professor (Grade 12) | Professor (Grade 12) |
| Reader (Grade 11) | Professor (Grade 11) |
| University Senior Lecturer (Grade 10) | Associate Professor (Grade 10) |
| University Lecturer (Grade 9, post-probation) | Associate Professor (Grade 9 post-probation) |
| University Lecturer (Grade 9, pre-probation) | Assistant Professor (Grade 9 pre-probation) |
Please click on the arrow next to the heading you are interested in, to expand the sections below. Links to the eligibility criteria for each title, as well as links to the online application form, are contained within each expandable section.
Senior Clinical Tutors (teaching only)
Eligibility: Consultants, not employed by the University, who make a regular contribution to the clinical course teaching programme
Individuals would usually be undertaking a minimum of one hour of formal teaching per placement week (in addition to “on-the-job teaching” during service activities). In hospital practice, this would include ward rounds, out-patient clinics, operating sessions, tutorials and contribution towards the organisation of the teaching programme. In primary care, this would usually be consulting room teaching and tutorials. In public health, this would usually be as tutorials.
Duration: up to three years, renewable
Applications: Applications are submitted at any point in the year to the Academic Development Programmes Administrator, are considered by the Clinical Sub-Dean for Staff Development, and are approved by the Faculty Board of Clinical Medicine.
Further Information: The Senior Clinical Tutor Guidelines, which should be read before making an application, are currently being updated and will be posted here shortly. Senior Clinical Tutors with wider and more substantial teaching responsibilities, who are also involved in local course organisation as well as delivery, and in assessment, and who have undertaken further development in medical education, may wish to consider applying for the title of Affiliated Assistant Professor.
Affiliated Lecturer (teaching only)
Eligibility: non-consultants, non-GPs, non-junior doctors, not employed by the University, who are making a significant contribution to the organisation and delivery of the clinical course; and/or individuals, not employed by the University, who are making a regular contribution to the School’s taught masters programmes or to taught components of PhD programmes, or to other key areas of activity equivalent to teaching activities (for example, serving on Fitness to Practice panels).
Individuals are not able to apply for an Affiliated Lectureship on the basis of research supervision, and Affiliated Lecturers are not able to act as Principal Supervisor for a University of Cambridge PhD student.
Benefits: membership of the Faculty of Clinical Medicine, membership of Regent House, IT and library services as appropriate to facilitate teaching activities.
Duration: up to two years, renewable
Departmental affiliation: All Affiliated Lecturers must be attached to a Clinical School department, and an appropriate visitor’s agreement will be issued.
Applications: Click to download the application form. Applications can be made at any time of year, and must be signed by the relevant Clinical School Head of Department. Applications are submitted to the Secretary of the Faculty Board and considered by the Chair of the Faculty Board.
Honorary Visiting Fellows and Honorary Senior Visiting Fellows (research only)
Eligibility: individuals employed in a research capacity in another institution, College, or University Department, who have an active collaboration with or are undertaking a period of research activity at, a Clinical School department. There must be clear benefits for the individual and for the Department/School. For the award of the senior visiting fellowship title, individuals need to demonstrate senior Principal Investigator status equivalent to Senior Research Associate or above.
Benefits: Access to Departmental research facilities; access to the Medical Library at the Clinical School
Duration: up to three years, renewable
Departmental affiliation: All Honorary Visiting Fellows and Senior Visiting Fellows must be attached to a Clinical School department, and an appropriate visitor’s agreement will be issued.
Applications: Click to download the application form. Applications can be made at any time of year, and must be signed by the relevant Clinical School Head of Department. Applications are submitted to the Secretary of the Faculty Board and approved by the Faculty Board of Clinical Medicine.
Affiliated Assistant Professor (teaching, research, impact)
Eligibility: individuals, not employed by the University, who through their regular and continuing association with the School, make a sizeable contribution to the research and/or teaching programmes of the University. Further information is available on the criteria for the ‘Predominantly teaching’ application route, and the ‘Predominantly research’ application route.
Exceptionally, individuals may also apply on the basis of broader areas of activity which are of key importance to the School’s strategic partnerships and operational arrangements which facilitate the University’s mission of excellence in teaching and research. Further information on the criteria is available, and this is referred to as the ‘Impact’ application route.
Benefits: membership of the Faculty of Clinical Medicine, membership of Regent House, IT and library services as appropriate to facilitate teaching and/or research activities. Exceptionally, the Degree Committee may approve an Affiliated Assistant Professor as Principal Supervisor for a Cambridge PhD student, on the recommendation of the relevant department, and on the condition that a Cambridge University staff member is named as second supervisor. Affiliated Assistant Professors may also apply as co-Investigators on grants.
Duration: up to three years, renewable
Departmental affiliation: All Affiliated Assistant Professors must be attached to a Clinical School department, and an appropriate visitor’s agreement will be issued.
Applications: Titles are awarded with effect from 1 October. Applications are made via an on-line annual process, which opens each May/June, and are approved by the Faculty’s Selection Committee. The online application form includes a small number of questions; applications are largely assessed on an applicant’s CV which should be uploaded during the application process. The CV should be a maximum length of 3 A4 sides, and guidance on what to include is given in the application form itself.
Please note that applications for 2023 are now closed
Affiliated Associate Professor (teaching, research, impact)
Eligibility: individuals, not employed by the University, who through their regular and continuing association with the School, make a significant contribution to the research and/or teaching programmes of the University. Further information is available on the criteria for the ‘Predominantly teaching’ application route, and the ‘Predominantly research’ application route.
Exceptionally, individuals may also apply on the basis of broader areas of activity which are of key importance to the School’s strategic partnerships and operational arrangements which facilitate the University’s mission of excellence in teaching and research. Further information on the criteria is available, and this is referred to as the ‘Impact’ application route.
Benefits: membership of the Faculty of Clinical Medicine, membership of Regent House, IT and library services as appropriate to facilitate teaching and/or research activities. Exceptionally, the Degree Committee may approve an Affiliated Associate Professor as Principal Supervisor for a Cambridge PhD student, on the recommendation of the relevant department, and on the condition that a Cambridge University staff member is named as second supervisor. Affiliated Associate Professors may apply for grants as co-PI, and exceptionally may also apply for grants as Principal Investigator on a case by case basis and subject to approval from the Head of School.
Duration: up to three years, renewable
Departmental affiliation: All Affiliated Associate Professors must be attached to a Clinical School department, and an appropriate visitor’s agreement will be issued.
Applications: Titles are awarded with effect from 1 October. Applications are made via an on-line annual process, which opens each May/June, and are approved by the Faculty’s Selection Committee. The online application form includes a small number of questions; applications are largely assessed on an applicant’s CV which should be uploaded during the application process. The CV should be a maximum length of 3 A4 sides, and guidance on what to include is given in the application form itself.
Please note that applications for 2023 are now closed
Affiliated Professor (teaching, research, impact)
Eligibility: individuals, not employed by the University, who through their regular and continuing association with the School, make a substantial contribution to the research and/or teaching programmes of the University. Further information is available on the criteria for the ‘Predominantly teaching’ application route, and the ‘Predominantly research’ application route.
Exceptionally, individuals may also apply on the basis of broader areas of activity which are of key importance to the School’s strategic partnerships and operational arrangements which facilitate the University’s mission of excellence in teaching and research. Further information on the criteria is available, and this is referred to as the ‘Impact’ application route.
Benefits: membership of the Faculty of Clinical Medicine, membership of Regent House, IT and library services as appropriate to facilitate teaching and/or research activities. Affiliated Professors may apply for grants as co-PI, and exceptionally may also apply for grants as Principal Investigator subject to approval from the Head of Department. However, Affiliated Professors (as they are not University employees) are not able to act as Chief Investigators on solely University-sponsored research studies involving research patients or healthy participants. Also at the Department’s discretion, Affiliated Professors can be recommended to the Degree Committee as Principal Supervisors for Cambridge PhD students, subject to a Cambridge University staff member being named as second supervisor.
Duration: up to five years, renewable
Departmental affiliation: All Affiliated Professors must be attached to a Clinical School department, and an appropriate visitor’s agreement will be issued.
Applications: The applications process runs in parallel with the University’s academic promotions process. Nominations for the title are put forward by the relevant Head of a Clinical School department, and nominees are asked to fill in a brief application form and provide a CV. Three references are sought, as well as statements from the relevant Clinical School Head of Department, and the nominee’s employer. The next opportunity to be put forward will be in October/November 2023, with awards of title being made from 1 October 2024.
