General Practice Commercial Clinical Trials Fellowships

Posted by: Julie Simpson - Posted on:

Overview: Eight Fellowships of up to 3 Sessions a week for 2 years (Fixed term)

Location: Two Fellowships available in each of the four NHS Research Scotland nodes – North (NHS Grampian), East (NHS Tayside), South (NHS Lothian) and West (NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde)

Salary: Based on consultant scale up to point 5

NHS Research Scotland Primary Care Network is seeking motivated, experienced, Post-CCT General Practitioners as Clinical Trial Fellows. This exciting opportunity is designed to build capacity and leadership in commercial clinical trials delivered in primary care and community settings, addressing a key Scottish Government priority to increase the number of commercial trials available and the related pace of delivery across Scotland.

The Role

As a Clinical Trials Fellow you will play a pivotal role in strengthening Scotland’s’ primary care research infrastructure and supporting the delivery of high-quality clinical trials in the NHS. Working within a multidisciplinary academic and clinical environment, you 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 

This Fellowship offers protected time, structured mentorship, tailored development opportunities, maximising the potential in Scotland to be a leader in primary care clinical trials.

About You

We are keen to hear from GPs who

  • 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 


Potential applicants are strongly encouraged to contact their preferred location to discuss the opportunity before they complete an application.

Contact details for each node are contained within the Guidance Document

If you have any other queries please contact csofellowships@gov.scot

Applications should be made on the CSO grants management System

The Closing date for applications is Monday 7th September 2026

It is expected that interviews will be held in October/November

Fellows will be expected to start by Jan 2027