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Clinical Academic Training Office

About CATO

The Clinical Academic Training Office (CATO) is based at the Brayford Pool campus of Lincoln University, in the Ross Lucas Medical Sciences Building. The role of the CATO is to be a central contact point for students undertaking an Internship, MSc by Research and to support Academic Clinical Fellows (ACFs). The office has been developed following a successful IAT bid in 2023 with the first ACFs being recruited in 2024 and the first intake of MSc and Intern students enrolling in July 2024.

What is a Clinical Academic? 
Clinical Academics are doctors and dentists working across healthcare providers whilst undertaking teaching and/or research with a university.

Contact Us: CATO@lincoln.ac.uk 

Current Programmes 

Our current programmes are funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research. The NIHR helps improve the health of the nation through research. It works in partnership with the NHS, universities, patients and the public to provide research to improve people's health and wellbeing. NIHR funding currently covers the home University fees to complete an MSc. Whilst international students are encouraged to apply, they must be able to cover the fees difference between home and international students. https://www.nihr.ac.uk/  

NIHR

 

Current specialties offered at Lincoln Medical School include: Cardiology, Endocrinology and Diabetes Mellitus, Haematology, Rheumatology, Respiratory Medicine and General Practice. 

 

A person wearing clinical scrubs

Internships

Students may opt to complete an internship for 6 weeks (usually mid-July until August) after completing second year. This is a paid opportunity for the students and a great way to see if you would like to have a further career in research. Students are paired with a supervisor and take part in ongoing research at Lincoln Medical School.

Medical Equipment in a Lab space

Intercalation – MSc by Research

Between years three and four, students may choose to intercalate and complete an MSc by Research this is completed over a period of 12 months, whereby the student must interrupt their current studies, to enrol on this research degree. They can then continue their previous study after the 12 months.*

Researcher in a lab space

Academic Clinical Fellows

Academic Clinical Fellowships are medical speciality training posts within the NHS that also include scheduled time for research. Fellowships last around 3 years with 9 months of protected academic time. Applications for these posts are very competitive, and applicants must demonstrate their suitability for the post through an interview process.

*Students are matched with a supervisory team, who will support them with their research. Students who wish to undertake an MSc by Research will need to meet the entry requirements of 2:1 in BMed Sci. It is important to note that this opportunity is currently only available to current Lincoln Medical School students.  

Career routes for Doctors (IAT Pathway)

The NIHR IAT programme is in place to encourage and support doctors to undertake research alongside their clinical careers. This starts with Undergraduate level support for Internships and Intercalating students through to Academic Clinical Fellow and Clinical Lecturer posts. NIHR are keen to support those wishing to undertake research, with the hope that they will become research-active doctors in the future. A full guide to this pathway can be found here:

IAT Pathway Diagram

Meet The Team

The Clinical Academic Training Office (CATO) is supported by Senior Administrator Katie Robinson and Administrator Kerry Wint. If you require any further information, please contact: cato@lincoln.ac.uk

Professor Danny McLaughlin

Professor Danny McLaughlin

Dean of Medical Education, Lincoln Medical School

Contact 

Dr Farhana Haque

Dr Farhana Haque

Senior Lecturer in Molecular Medicine, Lincoln Medical School

Contact 

Dr David Nelson

Dr David Nelson

Research Fellow in Rural Health and Care, Lincoln Institute for Rural and Coastal Health

Contact 

Professor Kelvin Lee

Professor Kelvin Lee

Visiting Professor in Cardiology, School of Natural Sciences and Consultant Cardiologist for United Lincolnshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust

Contact 

Testimonials  

FAQs

When should I expect to start an internship?

All intern opportunities commence in July for a total of 6 weeks, following completion of the second year. 

When can I intercalate?

Intercalating opportunities are for students who will be completing their third year of study. You should expect to start your MSc by Research in August, for 12 months. 

Will I need accommodation in Lincoln?

Yes – All students must find and pay for their own accommodation for the duration of their internship or MSc.  

I am an international student – Am I still eligible for NIHR funding?

NIHR funding currently covers the home fees for the MSc course. This means that an international student, would need to fund the difference between the home and international fees (the difference was around £12,900 in 2024) 

Who can apply?
  • Only current Lincoln Medical School students are eligible to apply. 
  • All current 2nd year students are invited to apply for an internship. 
  • All current 3rd year students are invited to apply to intercalate. 
How do I apply for the intern or intercalating opportunities?

A Microsoft form will be circulated to all 2nd and 3rd year students. Selection criteria include previous academic record, whilst at the Medical School, widening participation status (with moderate preference going to students from more disadvantaged backgrounds – as this is a criterion of the NIHR scheme) and the applicant's passion for research, which is to be demonstrated in the application form. 

When will I find out if my application has been accepted?

A conditional offer will be made to the accepted students by the end of December. The successful applicant then needs to either accept or reject their offer by the end of January (exact dates to be confirmed). Offers may then be made to any students on a waiting list.

Will I be paid while undertaking my internship or MSc?
  • Yes – NIHR covers a stipend payment, the amount of which will change each year. For 2024, the stipend for an Intern student was £500 a week. However, interns should arrange and pay for their own accommodation.  
  • Intercalating students receive a stipend (Tax free sum) whilst also having home tuition fees covered by NIHR. In 2024 the stipend payment was £19,237. Students are also required to arrange and pay for their own accommodation.  
How are projects assigned?

Students and supervisors will be matched in late January. Although you are asked at application stage, which research areas you are interested in, these cannot be guaranteed.  

How do I apply to be an ACF?

ACF positions are advertised by NHS England IAT Guide | NIHR. Vacancies are advertised on Oriel. Applications are open throughout October. Interviews then take place in December with initial offers released in January.