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Please note that The Hypertension
Trust at the present time is not
able to accept any new applications
for funding.
Research Fellowship
Applications are invited for a two-year Research Fellowship for research and
training in hypertension and related fields. The Fellow appointed will hold a
medical degree or higher degree in science (PhD) and have evidence of research
aptitude or clinical experience in hypertension. Awards will be given
preferentially to UK or EC nationals working in the UK or the Republic of
Ireland (non-UK or EU nationals must provide confirmation of their current visa
status). The award will support a two-year period of research at an institute,
university or other academic centre in the UK or the Republic of Ireland. The
Trustees will assess applications for both the academic/research potential of
the applicant and the quality of the training.
The stipend will be based on UK Clinical/Academic Staff salaries in the range of
£25,000-£35,000 p.a. (+ NI, superannuation and London Allowance if
appropriate). Up to £5,000 per annum may be made available for justifiable
additional expenses related to the project (costs must include a suitable
element for inflation per year if appropriate). PhD fees will not be covered
for Research Fellows. Research Fellows may proceed to a second year only after
the head of department or supervisor has submitted, and The Hypertension Trust
has approved, a progress report on the first year's work (this must be received
by the Trust by the end of May).
Research Studentship
Applications are invited for a three-year named Research Studentship for
research and training in hypertension and related fields leading to a PhD.
Applicants will usually be graduates of an EU university or currently working
in a UK or Republic of Ireland hospital or institution and awards will be given
preferentially to UK or EC nationals working in the UK or the Republic of
Ireland (non-UK or EU nationals must provide confirmation of their current visa
status). As a minimum requirement, the candidate must have obtained an upper
second class honours degree. The Trustees will assess applications for both the
academic/research potential of the applicant, the quality of the training and
the track record of the supervisor.
The level of stipend will be based on current MRC rates and will cover PhD fees
(UK PhD fees only). Up to £5,000 per annum may be made available for
justifiable additional expenses related to the project (costs must include a
suitable element for inflation per year if appropriate).
Research Students may proceed to a second or third year only after the head of
department or supervisor has submitted, and The Hypertension Trust has
approved, a progress report on the preceding year's work (this must be received
by the Administrator by the end of May).
Application Process
Applications for both the Research Fellowship and the Research Studentship
should be made on the enclosed application form by the supervisor and with the
approval of the head of department, who must counter-sign the form. The
application must include the following:
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Original application form. ALL sections of the form must
be completed and signatures obtained from |
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The candidate |
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The supervisor (in the case of more than one supervisor,
the lead supervisor only should sign) |
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The head of department where the research will take place |
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The finance officer of the administering institution |
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Fellowship/Studentship details where relevant (maximum of six
single-sided A4 pages): |
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Abstract of proposed investigation (approximately 150 words) |
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A summary of the project in non-technical terms for publicity purposes (approx
100 words) |
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The training opportunities and objectives |
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Background of the project |
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Original hypothesis |
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Experimental design of proposed investigation |
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Expected value of results |
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Expected value to the career of the applicant |
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Career aspirations and intentions of the applicant |
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List of references relevant to proposed project |
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CV of the proposed fellow or student (up to three single-sided
A4 pages), to include: |
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Last name, first name, date of birth, sex and nationality |
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Degrees, diplomas etc. (subject, class, university and date) |
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Current post (with dates) |
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Current source of funding |
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Current salary |
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Last three posts held (with dates) |
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Publications - separate lists of full papers and abstracts |
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The names of two professional referees (two of the following: the Supervisor,
the Head of Department or the Dean/Director of Studies if currently an
undergraduate student). References will be taken up on each shortlisted
candidate |
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CV of the
supervisor (one A4 page only, including present and previous posts and
recent relevant publications) In the case of more than one supervisor, please
identify the lead supervisor. |
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Research
Studentships only: The supervisor should include a list of names of
previous PhD students, thesis titles and completion rate over the preceding 10
years |
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Applications (1 original copy plus 10 copies of all the above sections) should
be sent to the Administrator of The Hypertension Trust by Monday 3rd March 2008. DO NOT STAPLE FORMS OR ACCOMPANYING PAGES - please use
paperclips only to separate copies. Acknowledgement of receipt of the
application will be sent immediately to all applicants.
Mrs. Gerry McCarthy The Hypertension Trust 113 - 119 High Street
Hampton Hill Middlesex TW12 1NJ U.K.
Tel: +44 (0)20 8979 8300 Fax: +44 (0)20 8979 6700 Email:
gmccarthy@hamptonmedical.com
Review Process
Applications are processed through a four-stage review process:
Stage 1:
All applications are initially assessed by the Appointments Panel (Trustees of
The Hypertension Trust, plus
a representative of the British Hypertension Society Executive Committee,
usually the current President),
who then decide which applications should be processed through the second stage
of the review process.
Some applications may be rejected at this stage.
Stage 2:
Selected applications are then sent to at least two external referees chosen by
the Appointments Panel for
their particular expertise in the field of research outlined in the
application.
Stage 3:
Reports from the external referees are reviewed by the Appointments Panel and
candidates shortlisted for
interview. Some applications may be rejected at this stage.
Stage 4:
Shortlisted candidates are interviewed by the Appointments Panel (interview
date: Thursday 5th June 2008 in
London). All candidates will be notified in writing within
2-3 days of the outcome of their application.
Note: Travel and/or accommodation expenses for interviews, which will usually
take place in London, are
not reimbursed by the Trust. The Trust is unable to provide detailed feedback
to unsuccessful applicants,
and the Trustees' decision will be final. If candidates are called for
interview, but are unable to attend, their
applications will not be considered in absentia, but will be withdrawn from the
selection process.
Conflict of Interest
Researchers working in the departments of members of the Appointments'
Panel are permitted to apply for
funding. However, in order to avoid a potential conflict of interest, the
following additional procedures will
be applied in these circumstances. The Appointments' Panel member is not
permitted to review or grade
the application from his or her own department, and is also not present during
the interview of the
candidate.
Salaries
| Applicants must complete the salary section
on the application form carefully, itemising the following separately: |
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Basic
salary based on the age-related university scales or NHS equivalent, to
include annual increments |
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A provision
to cover nationally agreed pay awards during the term of the grant (estimated
at the current level of inflation) |
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National insurance |
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Superannuation |
Salaries should be calculated from the
time of the proposed starting date of the grant. The application form must be
signed by the host institution's finance officer, confirming that all salary
details are correct.
The following items will not
be reimbursed:
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Bench fees |
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University on-costs or overheads |
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Interviewing expenses |
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ADHs (except in exceptional circumstances) |
Project Expenses
An amount up to £5,000 per annum may be available to cover consumables such as
reagents, materials, animals and animal feed etc. (the cost of equipment will
not be covered). The amount requested should be fully itemised and justified.
The cost of travel and registration fees to attend the annual scientific
meetings of the British Hypertension Society may be included within the overall
project expenses. Funding for the provision of travel to other conferences or
research units will not normally be provided in the award.
Ethical Approval
Ethical approval must be obtained for all investigations in humans.
Reimbursement of Award
Invoices for reimbursement of salary and research expenses awarded by The
Hypertension Trust should be submitted to the Administrator quarterly in
arrears by the host institution's finance officer (itemising the salary, split
into salary, national insurance and London Allowance if applicable, and the
expenses separately). All claims for the final quarter's salary and consumables
for the whole year must be submitted no later than two months after the end of
the final quarter. It will not be acceptable for the institution to claim more
than the allocated amount in Year 2 to compensate for any under-spend in
consumables in Year 1.
Change of Institution
It is expected that the awardee will undertake his or her training outlined in
this award at the institution named in the application. However, should the
supervisor wish to move to another institution, accompanied by his or her
Fellow or Student, permission must be sought in writing from The Hypertension
Trust. The head of department in the new institution must guarantee that the
training will continue uninterrupted and that adequate facilities are available
for the work. The finance officer of the new institution must also agree to
accept the terms and conditions of the existing award.
Employer Status
Award holders are employed by the host institution, and not The Hypertension
Trust. It is the award holders' responsibility to negotiate their own
contract/conditions of employment with the host institution.
Progress Reports and Visits
Research Fellows and Students may proceed to a second year only after the head
of department or supervisor has submitted, and The Hypertension Trust has
approved, a progress report on the preceding year's work (this must be received
by the Administrator by the end of May). A final report should be submitted at
the end of the award period, which may be presented at the Annual Scientific
Meeting of the British Hypertension Society. The Trustees may visit the award
holder to inspect the project work at a mutually convenient time.
Concurrent Grants or Awards
Applicants holding grants or awards from other bodies for similar or related
work must declare such grants on the application form.
Publications
The support of The Hypertension Trust must be acknowledged in any publications
or abstracts submitted to national or international symposia. One copy of any
publication resulting from research funded by The Hypertension Trust should be
sent to the Administrator.
Commercially exploited charity funded research
Any revenue arising from research funded by The Hypertension Trust is subject
to the Guidelines issued by the Association of Medical Research Charities, of
which The Hypertension Trust is a member. These can be downloaded from
the AMRC's website (www.amrc.org.uk)
and are also available from the Administrator of the Hypertension Trust.
Acceptance of a Hypertension Trust award confirms the acceptance of these
guidelines by the Fellow/Student, Supervisor, Head of Department and the
Institution's Finance Officer.
Animal Research
The Hypertension Trust
supports training in all areas of clinical and basic research
relating to hypertension and cardiovascular disease. If this
includes research on animals, the Trust follows the
Policy Statement issued by the Association
of Medical Research Charities in March 2004.
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