Ophthalmology ACF – East of England
Ophthalmology ACF – East of England Academic Clinical Fellowship Advertisement Archive
This is the Academic Clinical Fellowship (ACF) advertisement used on Oriel for the 2026-27 recruitment round.
The information is presented to help you prepare for your future applications. Please be aware that advertisements, application methods, etc. can change and there is no guarantee that future ACF advertisements will remain the same.
| Oriel Advert | HEEOE - Ophthalmology - ACFST1, ACFST2, ACFST3 |
| Vacancy ID | HEEOE/27-28/7301/025/1-R1A |
| Entry Levels | ST1, ST2, ST3 |
| Applications Opened | Thursday 1 October 2026, 10:00 |
| Applications Closed | Thursday 29 October 2026, 16:00 |
See also the ACF application form questions.
| Training Programme | Ophthalmology |
| Post Type | Academic |
| Post Commencing | August 2027 |
| Duration (months) | 36 |
| Recruitment Lead | East of England |
| Recruiting For | East of England |
| Enquiries | https://heeoe.hee.nhs.uk/recruitment/academic-clinical-fellowships-east-england |
| Enquiries Email | england.recruitment.eoe@nhs.net |
Information
NHS England, East of England
Employer: University of Cambridge/Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Post type: NIHR Academic Clinical Fellowship
Specialty/Level: Ophthalmology, ST1,2,3
Expected start date: August 2027
Please be advised that this post is in direct competition with Vascular Surgery applicants and an appointment will only be made in 1 of these specialties.
ST1 applicants who do not already hold a National Training Number (NTN) or Deanery Reference Number (DRN) in the GMC specialty to which they are applying for will be required to achieve clinical benchmarking via the 2027 national clinical recruitment process and attend an assessment/interview for that GMC specialty as appropriate.
ST2 and ST3 applicants must hold an NTN/DRN in the specialty for which they are applying.
Proposed Research:
The Academic Ophthalmology Team in Cambridge is world-leading in several research areas, including neuro-ophthalmology, advanced therapies (gene therapy and regenerative medicine), vitreoretinal diseases (in particular Stickler syndrome), glaucoma and paediatric ophthalmology. We provide opportunities for both basic and translational research, supported by the Cambridge Eye Research Centre (CERC) and the Cambridge Clinical Vision Laboratory (CCVL). Our research programmes are embedded within the NIHR Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre and the Department of Clinical Neurosciences. This post will allow the ACF to start their specialist training with exposure to a broad range of academic opportunities. The project will be decided following mutual discussion and taking into account the successful candidate’s previous experience and personal interests.
Outline the clinical and academic programme post:
This post is for three years and the successful candidate will be appointed at ST1-ST3 level. During this time, the fellow will spend 75% of their time in clinical training and 25% will be devoted to developing their academic training and skills. The expectation is that the fellow will apply for a research training fellowship to continue their training and register for a higher degree (PhD or MD).
Applicants must apply via our online recruitment system, Oriel
The application window opens on Thursday 01 October 2026 at 1000 hours and closes on Thursday 29 October 2026 at 1600 hours
You will not be able to submit your application after this time. Please ensure that you have completed all relevant sections of the application form as missing information will deem your application incomplete and it will not be considered.
Please visit NHS England, East of England website for the further vacancy information and job description.
Host integrated academic training partnership details.
HEI: University of Cambridge
NHS Organisation: Cambridge University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
NHSE Local Office: NHS England, East of England
This ACF post is of 3-year duration and carries an academic training number – NTN(a) and will allow the successful candidate to spend 75% of their time in clinical training and 25% in research.
Applications from talented and enthusiastic doctors in training who seek a career combining research, teaching and the care of patients are invited for NIHR Academic Clinical Fellowships (ACFs). The Academic Clinical Fellowship forms a significant part of the NIHR Integrated Academic Training Programme. Fellows will develop skills allowing them to compete successfully for funding to study for a higher degree (MD/PhD). Only applicants who can demonstrate that they have outstanding potential for development as a clinical academic will be considered for this programme.
After this time candidates should have obtained funding for their higher degrees and start work towards these. On completion of the ACF the trainee will either continue their research if external funding has been obtained or enter their designated training programme as a full-time clinical trainee, provided that appropriate clinical competences have been obtained.
Applicants are expected to fulfil the academic person specification available and appropriate clinical person specification.
Applicants that do not already hold a National Training Number (NTN) or Deanery Reference Number (DRN) in the GMC specialty to which they are applying will also be required to undertake the national clinical recruitment process and attend an assessment/interview for that GMC specialty as appropriate. For further details please refer to the NIHR Academic Clinical fellowships (Medical) Guidance for Recruitment and Appointment 2027
The qualifications and professional registration requirements plus other eligibility criteria can be found in the person specification. The person specification for this specialty is available from the Specialty Training website which can be accessed from Oriel.
The Postgraduate Dean confirms that these placements and/or programmes will have the required educational and Dean’s approval at the time of entry into the programme.
Before you complete your online application, it is imperative that you download and read the linked documents which can be found in the documents section of the vacancy.
These documents contain specific and detailed information with regards to the application form and process, and the person specification. Please read them thoroughly to ensure that you fill out your application form correctly.
All applicants are required to have essential competences or equivalent depending on the level they are applying for. For more information on competences please refer to the resource bank (https://www.oriel.nhs.uk/Web/ResourceBank) on Oriel.
Please ensure you read and fully understand the contents of the Oriel Applicant User Guide which can be accessed on the recruitment system resource bank before submitting your application. Failure to do so may result in you missing vital information in relation to your application. In submitting an application, applicants confirm that they have read and understood the application guide. You will be unable to change your application once it has been submitted; if you have any questions, please ensure you contact the recruitment team at england.recruitment.eoe@nhs.net prior to submitting your application.
Please upload all required evidence of competences to your online application form when completing the application form online. For those experiencing difficulties when uploading evidence, please ensure you contact the recruitment team at england.recruitment.eoe@nhs.netprior to submitting your application.
NHS England – East of England is committed to preventing discrimination and promoting equality. All our hospitals are working towards Equal Opportunities with flexible working practices. We aim to ensure that no employee or job applicant receives less favourable treatment on the grounds of their age, colour, race, nationality or ethnic origin, religion or similar belief, gender, marital status, sexual orientation, disability, trade union membership (or non-membership) or political affiliation.