General Practice Commercial Clinical Trials Fellowships
Applications are open for Clinical Trials Fellowships across Scotland, helping to expand commercial clinical trial delivery into primary care and community settings
This exciting opportunity for motivated, experienced, Post-CCT General Practitioners is designed to build capacity and leadership in commercial clinical trials delivered in primary care and community settings. It helps address a key Scottish Government priority to increase the number of commercial trials available and the related pace of delivery across Scotland.
Eight Fellowships are available — two in each of the four NHS Research Scotland nodes — North (NHS Grampian), East (NHS Tayside), South (NHS Lothian) and West (NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde) — and will play a pivotal role in strengthening Scotland’s’ primary care research infrastructure.
This recruitment arrives at a defining moment for Scotland’s healthcare landscape. Dr Bhautesh Jani, NRS Primary Care Research Champion said: "It is an incredibly exciting time for primary care research in Scotland. The launch and expansion of our Practice Embedded Research Units (PERUs) are moving clinical trials into local communities. To maximise this potential and bring greater opportunities to patients, it is vital that we have a committed, dedicated workforce to support and drive these initiatives forward. These fellowships provide the structured mentorship and protected time needed to build Scotland's next generation of primary care research leaders."
Working within a multidisciplinary academic and clinical environment, the Clinical Trials Fellows will:
- Build personal expertise in clinical trials methodology, regulatory processes, and research delivery
- Partake in a programme of professional development activities that build your skills and expertise in research delivery
- Work closely with academic partners and research networks to reduce barriers to commercial trial participation
- Engage with local communities and patients to encourage research participation – particularly in underrepresented groups.
- Support the engagement of general practices in commercial research including supporting the new PERUs (Practice Embedded Research Units).
- Support individual practices to develop innovative, scalable models for commercial trial delivery in the community
- Contribute to outputs aligned with national priorities, including reports, publications, and funding development
Motivated, research-oriented general practitioners who meet the following professional criteria are encouraged to apply:
- Hold full GMC registration and be on the GP Performers List
- Are working as a GP in Scotland
- Have an interest in clinical trials, research delivery, or research leadership
- Are motivated to support commercial research in primary care and community settings
- Value collaboration across academic, clinical, and industry partners
The closing date for applications is Monday 7 September. Candidates are encouraged to contact their preferred regional node to discuss operational logistics prior to submission.
Read more and apply via the Chief Scientist Office.
Publication date: 17th July 2026
