Imperial College AHSC Mentoring for Research Programme

The Imperial College AHSC is a partnership between Imperial College London (ICL), the Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust (ICHT), the Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust (RMHT), the Institute of Cancer Research (ICR), Chelsea & Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and the Royal Brompton and Harefield Hospitals (RBHH). It aims to improve the health and well-being of patients and populations by ensuring that research discoveries are translated in medical advances, new therapies and techniques as rapidly as possible. We strongly believe in providing the best opportunities and support for our researchers and this is why we have chosen to develop a mentoring for research scheme for NMAHPPs (Nurses, Midwives, Allied Health Professionals, Healthcare Scientists, Pharmacy Staff and Psychologists) undertaking a PhD.

Mentoring is a widely used development tool that has proved to have a beneficial impact on effectiveness, confidence and career advancement. At the heart of mentoring for research, is a relationship based on trust and mutual regard where one colleague uses their expertise and knowledge to support the development of another colleague.

Most mentoring occurs between senior and more junior colleagues although peer mentoring, where there is little or no difference in seniority, is also possible. Through one-to-one confidential conversations, the research mentee is encouraged and challenged to achieve their potential and aspirations. Such conversations can be useful at all stages of a career.

The scheme is open to all NMAHPPs working in Imperial College London, the Imperial College Healthcare Trust, the Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, the Institute of Cancer Research, Chelsea & Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and the Royal Brompton and Harefield Hospitals.

Who can apply?

Mentors will be individuals who have already embarked on a clinical academic career, almost certainly with a PhD completed, and thinking of further developing themselves as clinical academics into more senior positions working across the Imperial College Academic Health Sciences Centre (AHSC).

Mentees will be individuals who have started a clinical academic career by registering for, or currently undertaking, a PhD. Staff undertaking or considering an MSc or PhD would certainly benefit from careers advice and guidance but not necessarily research mentoring.

Mentoring for research in the AHSC

We are keen to support a variety of mentoring relationships:

•  With senior staff or peers
•  Short and long-term relationships

At whatever stage of your career, we encourage you to think about whether having a mentor would be helpful to you. Whether you are interested in being a mentor or finding one, the links on the right-hand side of this page provide useful information.

The scheme aims to operate broadly on an annual cycle: advertising the schemes early in the year, making matches in February/March and evaluating the impact of mentoring in the following autumn.

However, we recognise that there may be requests for mentoring outside of these times and we will aim to respond positively and find a suitable mentor. 

If you have any queries, please get in touch with your local mentoring contact, whose details can be found on the right of this page.