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NIHR Sheffield BRC Research Internship Programme
The NIHR Sheffield BRC is proud to support two, 12-month internships for aspiring research leaders across our collaboration as part of the wider Sheffield Teaching Hospitals Healthcare Professionals Research Internship Scheme.
Have you thought about following a clinical research path?
Traditionally there have been limited opportunities for health professionals and research delivery staff outside of medicine and dentistry to become more research active, either by engaging with, supporting or conducting research. We are therefore inviting expressions of interest from budding researchers to take part in the BRC stream of the research internship programme. Successful candidates will be released one day a week for one year and funding will be provided for backfill their usual role.
Who can apply?
This programme is suited to aspiring research leaders, those interested in pursuing a clinical academic career, or those who simply want an opportunity to find out more about research. We are keen to support those completely new to research as well as those currently working in research delivery roles. You might already have a research idea, although this isn’t essential.
If you have an interest in applying for the scheme, please do not hesitate to get in touch to confirm your eligibility. NIHR Sheffield BRC will consider applications from:
Health professionals or Research Delivery Staff, including but not limited to nurses, midwives, radiographers, medical physicists, engineers and computer scientists.
Employed by Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust or The University of Sheffield
How long will it take?
You will be offered a one day per week, 12-month secondment commencing during November 2025 (dates TBC).
What can my project focus on?
The National Institute of Health Research (NIHR) Biomedical Research Centre (BRC) Stream is ideal for those healthcare practitioners and research delivery staff with an interest in Neurosciences, Cardiovascular Disease, Infection & Immunity, or Imaging & Engineering. The successful candidates will be provided with additional support by joining the NIHR Sheffield BRC Interdisciplinary Training Academy (BTA). The NIHR Sheffield BRC retains a focus to support candidates in their academic career progression. We would therefore particularly welcome applications from all healthcare professionals (including nurses and midwives, radiographers, medical physicists and engineers) aiming to progress to NIHR-funded predoctoral or doctoral fellowships. Please contact the BRC Training Lead Prof Oliver Bandmann for an informal discussion and advice (o.bandmann@sheffield.ac.uk) and Luke Barron (luke.barron@nhs.net) for more information and the application form.
If you have a project idea or proposal, you will be asked to outline this in the application. However, this is not a requirement to apply to the scheme. If you are keen and enthusiastic to learn and develop, you will be supported to develop a research idea and design a small project to carry out in your ward or clinical area.
Other streams of the STH Sheffield Teaching Hospitals Healthcare Professionals Research Internship Scheme are available:
The National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Sheffield Clinical Research Facility (CRF) stream. Ideal for those currently working in research delivery or those working in band 5 or 6 clinical roles. Please contact Abida Nazir (abida.nazir@nhs.net) for more information.
What support will I receive?
In the first instance, you should discuss this opportunity with your management team. You will need to ensure you have their full support and we will need confirmation they are prepared to honour the commitment of your protected time of 1 day per week for 12 months. During the internship, you will receive close clinical academic supervision, mentorship and support. You will also have taught sessions to support theoretical learning.
How do I apply?
To apply, you will need to complete an application form which is available from luke.barron@nhs.net.
Application deadline: 5pm on Wednesday 6th August 2025
Please ensure that you allow sufficient time to have the relevant discussions with your management team. Forms submitted after the closing date deadline will not be considered.
Interviews will be held in September, dates TBC.
What steps can I take following the internship?
By the end of your internship we will support you to develop your next steps. This could include identifying ways to remain involved in and champion research within your role, explore other ways to pursue research, or a plan to develop as a potential future clinical academic. We will support and signpost you to ways to progress with this and perhaps apply for a pre-doctoral, doctoral or post-doctoral fellowship.
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