1. The life of a clinical academic…
Dr Victoria Salem
Diabetes UK Harry Keen Fellow

2. Outline My career pathway to date Grant application process
My PhD research (briefly!)
The slippery postdoctoral slope
Pros and cons of an academic career
Work/life balance

3. Intercalated BSc Medical Physics 1999 MBBS 2002
Medical School
Intercalated BSc Medical Physics 1999
MBBS 2002
Early Clinical Training
House officer posts
A+E / TRAVEL
SHO Medical Rotation
Academic Clinical Fellow
MRCP
ACF/SpR Diabetes and Endocrinology

4. GRANT APPLICATION PROCESS
Early SpR years
Watford General Hospital
Northwick Park Hospital
GRANT APPLICATION PROCESS
3 months per year in lab
Pilot data
MRC CRTF

5. Grant Application Process Person, place, project
ACF – advantage of dedicated lab time
Do I want to be an academic?
Pilot data
Forging a relationship with your supervisors
Preparing for grant applications
Research training fellowships – choosing the right one for you
KEEP TRYING!

6. PhD Experience “in-vitro” competencies “in-vivo” expertise
“first-in-human” studies
Phase 1 drug trial management
Human “physiological” studies
High impact publications

7. Co-administration of PYY & GLP-1 reduces BOLD signal change in brain food reward regions
2011; 14(5): 700-6

8. PhD years Learning to become a scientist Finding a mentor
Developing research skills
Statistics, time management, grant writing
Specific to your chosen specialty
Keeping abreast of clinical developments
Maintaining practical proficiencies
Attending meetings and presenting your own data
Publications

9. ACF PhD (OOPE) 2006-2007 Watford General Hospital
Northwick Park Hospital
PILOT DATA
PhD (OOPE)
MRC CRTF October 2008
PhD Sept 2012
NIHR CL
50/50 lab/clinical: CCT 2016
Starter grants
External experience

10. Clinical Lecturer Years
CCST – clinical competencies, NHS service provision
Applying for Postdoctoral Funding
Smaller project grants (starter grants)
Building up publication record
Consolidating research skills
Finding your niche and networking
Developing collaborations
Moving labs?
Management and committee experience
Teaching qualifications
Aiming to become a CLINICIAN SCIENTIST

11. The Pyramid gets steeper……

12. The Department of Medicine Scissors Diagram

13. WHAT I’VE GAINED “in-vitro” competencies “in-vivo” expertise
“first-in-human” studies
Phase 1 drug trial management
Human “physiological” studies
High impact publications
Three children…..

14. Kids, ATHENA

15. A Day in the Life…….
0600 – 3 kids wake up, breakfast, washed and dressed
MEDICAL REGISTRAR ON CALLS
LAB: ……..evening with the kids
2030 back to the computer
GRANT REJECTION
0100 bed
0330 – “mummy!”
7 DAYS A WEEK!!!

16. Clinician Scientist Fellowship
Transitioning to independence
5 years funding (post CCT) to establish career as a Clinician Scientist
£900K

17. Pros and Cons of an Academic Career
Hugely satisfying – whatever level you reach
2nd career: Clinician Scientist
Cutting edge of your specialty
More flexible working hours
CCST may be delayed
Less certainty
Highly competitive
Less money
Money – becomes less of an issue the more senior you get

18. The Keys to Success? PASSION RESILIENCE TIME MANAGEMENT
4. DEVELOP ACADEMIC SKILLS