Clinical academics play a crucial role in bridging basic cancer research and clinical practice, yet retaining them remains a major challenge. In an article by Marjolein Schaap for Cancer Research UK (CRUK), she highlights both the importance and difficulties of sustaining careers in clinical academia — and how funders are collaborating to create real change.
The Challenge
Clinical academics face significant structural barriers, including:
- Limited protected research time and funding
- Unclear career pathways
- Pay disparities (e.g., consultants taking registrar-level pay to pursue research)
- Difficulty balancing dual roles as clinicians and researchers
Despite their dedication and the critical impact of their work, these pressures often drive talented clinicians away from research careers. Schaap emphasizes the personal sacrifices many make for the sake of improving patient outcomes and stresses the need for flexibility and sustained support.
The Need for Collective Action
Schaap underscores that many problems are systemic and require collaboration among the NHS, universities, medical schools, and research funders. A recent report by the Office for the Strategic Coordination of Health Research (OSCHR) offered tangible, actionable steps to reverse the decline in the clinical academic workforce — leading to the creation of a national funders map to coordinate efforts and address key career bottlenecks.
CRUK’s Response
CRUK is taking concrete steps to strengthen clinical academic career paths by:
- Enhancing postdoctoral support for clinical trainees in its Clinical Academic Training Programmes (CATP)
- Encouraging regional CAT programmes to expand training opportunities
- Launching the Clinical Future Leaders Fellowship (FLF) — aligning with similar schemes by the MRC, NIHR, and BHF — to provide long-term career support for transitioning to independence
The Bigger Picture
Schaap concludes that joint action among funders is essential to create stable, fulfilling career pathways for clinical academics. In an uncertain research environment, collaboration and coordinated investment offer the best route to sustain the clinicians who are vital to advancing cancer research and patient care.
Credit: Cancer Research UK | Analysis