To PhD or not to PhD
It’s a question that many Clinical Scientists consider at some point during their careers. Undertaking a PhD involves in-depth study of a topic to produce an original contribution to knowledge. It can be an extremely rewarding and fulfilling experience and the transferable skills acquired, such as the ability to plan and manage projects, solve problems and communicate ideas to a range of audiences, are very relevant to the role of the Clinical Scientist. The perceived status of a PhD amongst clinical and non-clinical colleagues may also induce an increased level of respect.
However, the decision to start a PhD should not be taken lightly. A huge investment of time and effort is required to carry out the research and produce a thesis. Much of the experience may also be frustrating or dispiriting. Although it may look good on a CV, a PhD is not an essential element to Clinical Scientist training - you can, of course, be a good Scientist or Engineer without doing one. But, if you’re passionate about doing research, and think a PhD could be for you, there are a number of points to consider.
In order to register a PhD a University will typically require a title, a summary of the research proposal and academic references. To maximize the chances of success it is important that the project reflects the skills and interests of the student. Possible supervisors should be consulted well in advance of registration to check that the proposal is feasible.
One of the most important considerations is funding. Although some Clinical Scientists manage to finance their own PhDs, costs can be significant. University fees alone are around £3500 p.a. for full time students and £1500 p.a. for part-time students. The main sources of funding in the UK are the Government, through the Research councils, charities and industry. Clinical Scientists working in the NHS may also be eligible to apply for other grants, such as the CSO Healthcare Scientists Research Fellowship, which can be used to ‘buy-out’ working hours to complete research for patient benefit.
Another key consideration is
timing. A PhD can be started at any time before, during or after Clinical Scientist training and can be taken on a full or part time basis. For those who have already completed their training, and are permanently employed as Clinical Scientists, part time study is often the most attractive option as it allows individuals to maintain their clinical skills (and retain an annual income) whilst completing their research. The
department may also benefit, particularly if the project is directly related to patient care. However, even if a reduction in working hours can be negotiated it can be difficult to juggle clinical work, research and home life, especially for those with a family or a more senior position. Furthermore, the time span of part time study (usually around 5-6 years) can be particularly daunting.
For trainees and younger Scientists full time PhDs are more common. Studying full-time allows you to immerse yourself in your research,
without the distractions of other commitments, and the process can usually be completed within three to four years. A popular time to start is after Part I Training. If the PhD is based in a clinical environment it may also be possible to complete Part II Training concurrently, although in practice it can be difficult to balance competing demands of training and research.
With the introduction of the
Modernising Scientific Careers programme there is likely to be a marked change in the approach to training in our profession. However, a PhD is likely to remain a relevant and popular qualification for Clinical Scientists. So, if you have a
burning desire to do research, and think you can persevere through the inevitable challenges you will face, a PhD might just be what you are looking for.
Jonathan Taylor
Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
(published in APEN Trainee Newsletter, April 2010)