Clinical PhD Fellow; Rowling Scholar

Grade AMN2: £48,288 - £71,550 per annum

Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences / CMVM

Full Time: 40 hours per week

Fixed term: for 36 months

Together we can do great things. Be part of something bigger.

With roles from hospitality to research, there’s a career for everyone at the University of Edinburgh. We can offer opportunities for you to develop in your career and make a real difference in the communities around us while contributing to the world at large.

The University of Edinburgh is a world-class organisation. We look for the best in the field across all disciplines and provide a working environment where academics can develop their careers and passion for their chosen subject area. We offer the full range of academic roles and have a genuine focus on our students performance and wellbeing.

We are looking for an ambitious medically qualified individual (with current GMC registration) who wishes to start a career as a clinical academic in neurodegenerative disorders research by pursuing a PhD in a world-class research environment. The PhD fellow will be funded by the Anne Rowling Regenerative Neurology Clinic on the Rowling Scholars scheme ((Use the "Apply for this Job" box below).). This prestigious scholarship offers a salary on a clinical scale while you study towards a PhD on discovery or translation in neurodegenerative disorders.

You will conduct an original research project that will be co-designed around your scientific vision. The details of the project will be mutually agreed after interview, will be in line with the research strategy of the Anne Rowling Regenerative Neurology Clinic, which places particular focus on multiple sclerosis (MS), motor neuron disease (MND), Parkinson’s and dementias. There will be opportunities for interested persons to contribute to work with broad applicability across these areas (e.g. in biomarker discovery and digital health).

The PhD Fellow will maintain clinical competencies by contributing to clinic lists and attending occasional NHS Lothian specialist neurology clinics at the Anne Rowling Clinic, as well as assisting with the delivery of research studies.

This post is full-time (40 hours per week) and is expected to start in August 2026, although there can be some flexibility.

Informal enquiries may be addressed to Professor Siddharthan Chandran (S).

We would expect you to have Prior research experience, preferably a BSc or equivalent. This can be in basic (laboratory), translational or clinical research and be clinically qualified with a MBBS (or equivalent) with current GMC registration.

Please note PVG will be a requirement for this position.

An Honorary NHS contract will be sought for the successful post holder. You therefore must be eligible to hold an honorary contract with NHS Lothian, and must also be registered with the General Medical Council.

Salary will be determined on the basis of previous service in the NHS training grades. Normally you will be matched to your current incremental point or nearest equivalent. If you are currently a member of the NHS Pension Scheme and are employed in a clinical post it may be possible for you to remain a member of the NHS Pension Scheme.

A career with us has a range of other benefits that can be tailored to your lifestyle:

• Interesting work
• Good salary/pay rates

This post is full-time (40 hours per week); however, we are open to considering part-time or flexible working patterns. We are also open to considering requests for hybrid working (on a non-contractual basis) that combines a mix of remote and regular on-campus working.

View the full job description

Please ensure you include the following documents in your application:

- CV

- Cover letter

• A competitive salary.
• An exciting, positive, creative, challenging and rewarding place to work.
• To be part of a diverse and vibrant international community.
• Comprehensive Staff Benefits, including generous annual leave entitlement, a defined benefits pension scheme, a wide range of staff discounts, family-friendly initiatives, and flexible work options. Check out the full list on our staff benefits page and use our reward calculator to discover the value of your pay and benefits.

The University of Edinburgh holds a Silver Athena SWAN award in recognition of our commitment to advance gender equality in higher education. We are members of the Race Equality Charter, and we are also Stonewall Scotland Diversity Champions, actively promoting LGBT equality.

Prior to any employment commencing with the University, you will be required to evidence your right to work in the UK. Further information is available on our right to work webpages.

The University is able to sponsor the employment of international workers in this role. If successful, an international applicant requiring sponsorship to work in the UK will need to satisfy the UK Home Office’s English Language…