BMFTR Program at Leipzig University
FELLOWSHIP
We offer a fellowship for physicians with a strong scientific background and a focus on non-communicable diseases (e.g., cardiovascular and neurological diseases, metabolism, cancer).
Eligibility Criteria:
- Medical license (Approbation)
- Completed doctoral degree (MD/PhD or equivalent)
- Publication record (generally at least six peer-reviewed original research articles, or at least one outstanding publication, e.g., in a top 10% journal or a journal with an impact factor >15, as first or senior/last author)
- Medical employment commitment (declaration of commitment)
- Board certification/specialist qualification
- Letter of support from the clinic/department (external applicants should contact the respective department in advance)
Key Selection Criteria:
- Applicants' qualifications and publication record in the aforementioned fields of non-communicable diseases
- Feasibility, scientific quality, originality, and strategic fit of the proposed research project
- Applications from candidates from abroad or from other universities are strongly encouraged
- No age limit
- Applicants must commit to participating in the program for 72 months
RELEASE FROM CLINICAL DUTIES & FUNDING
Participants in the program are released from 50% of their clinical duties to pursue scientific qualification and research activities. This allocation is contractually regulated. There is no strict requirement regarding how this time must be distributed over the six-year program. This flexibility is intended to allow adaptation to the participants’ individual needs, progress in their academic careers, and specific aspects of their clinical specialization.
As part of the application, applicants, mentors, and institute directors must submit a proposed timeline. We recommend an initial six-month full-time research phase dedicated to scientific qualification in order to establish the foundation for an independent research project.
Compensation is provided in accordance with the collective agreement (Manteltarifvertrag Ärzte, TV-Ä UKL) for a period of six years. Employment is maintained at 100% with Leipzig University / Leipzig University Hospital. Applicants from external institutions are advised to contact the respective clinic before applying in order to discuss the feasibility of the proposed research project.
THE FUNDING INCLUDES:
- A physician position for six years (TV-Ä): funding for research activities/protected research time (with 50% of the costs covered by the respective clinic)
- Research consumables and project-related material costs
- Travel expenses (including attendance at national and international conferences)
o Personnel costs, such as: Research staff/scientific employees, Technical and administrative support staff, Student research assistants - Publication costs
KEY ECLEMENTS OF THE PROGRAM
- Scientific qualification and training focused on non-communicable diseases (diseases of civilization)
- Research rotation (work on the participant's own research project) with 50% protected research time and release from clinical duties
- Career development and professional skills training
- Within the LeiCoT program, each Academic Clinical Scientist (ASC) is supported by a team of three mentors: a scientific mentor, an external mentor and the head of the (host) institution