Training Opportunities
The ECMC Network offers training opportunities through several means. Members of our ECMC Network Groups are encouraged to apply for these opportunities, and the latest training courses and events can be found on the Directory page.
JING was set up in May 2013 to help support clinical and non-clinical early career researchers in the ECMCs. This hugely popular group hosts an annual residential meeting in January, that boasts a mixed programme to cater to both clinical and non-clinical junior investigators, and is a fantastic opportunity for networking. In addition, training workingshops and webinars are also available through the JING network.
The ECMC Network provides the support for training grants for Cross-centre placements lasting between one day and three weeks. These grants cover long travel and accommodation costs of up to £1000 each, and allow for the learning of techniques or practices to be shared between ECMCs.
You are eligible to apply for this grant if you wish to gain experience at a different ECMC, and you are an operational staff member within an ECMC (e.g. laboratory assistants, QA managers, trial coordinators, research nurses etc), a Postdoctoral researcher, or a Clinical Fellow. Unfortunately, PhD students are not eligible to apply.
Applications should be submitted to Hannah Brown using this application form.
Over the past few years, there have been several members of the ECMC Network who have benefited from this grant.
| Name | ECMCs involved | Area of interest |
| Alan Bilsland | Glasgow to Newcastle | JING: training in assay development, validation and clinical smaple analysis using HPLC for pharmacokinetic studies |
| Jill Tipping | Manchester to UCL | CERT: visit to the radiopharmacy to learn about system developed for setting up clinical trials, and to observe the administation of radionuclide therapies |
| Julie Burton | Newcastle and Belfast | Patient & Public Involvement (PPI) to share PPI experiences between Centres, and to discuss important issues of training, group management, and future aims |
| Karen Swales | ICR to Manchester | QATS: to learn about the challenges of good clinical laboratory practices (GCLP) and the 'fast track' validation methods |
| Libby Batt | Cardiff to various ECMCs | Nurses: to liaise with other early phase trial teams |
| Patricia Roxburgh | Glasgow to Cambridge | cfDNA preparation requirements, and how to understand bioanalyser data |
| Hana Wilbraham and Cath Sullivan | Cardiff to ICR | Data Management |