Clinician-scientists (aka physician-scientists) are active in two worlds, that one of the wards as well as the one of the research lab. Consequently, they are important catalysts for translational medicine by linking science with the patient and taking discoveries “from the bench to the bedside”.

Specialised clinician-scientist programmes implemented by medical universities and schools provide the conceptual framework. The measures offer protected research time due to partial exemption from clinical duties. Besides the opportunity of raising one’s own research profile, systematic shaping of the career is addressed by accompanying arrangements such as mentoring and an advanced training curriculum (dealing with medical, scientific and general career-promoting key qualifications).

Hearing4all refers to the offers of the universities in Hannover and Oldenburg (see below) and encourages research-interested physicians from the field of otorhinolaryngology and pedaudiology to pursue their careers in this direction.

Clinical Scientist-Programme of Hannover Medical School

A three-year programme for physicians during the second half of their specialist training, offering a period of 4-6 months per year and funding for research activities.

Postdoctoral programmes at Universitätsmedizin Oldenburg

Faculty VI – Medicine and Health Sciences – at Carl von Ossietzky University Oldenburg offers three programmes to support young scientists in medical research:

The Junior Clinician Scientist Programme is aimed at doctors with a doctorate and licensed physicians in the early phase of their specialist training (usually 1st-3rd year). The programme lasts 12 months. Participation is accompanied by customised teaching and intensive mentoring.

Physicians with a doctorate and a licence to practise medicine who have already progressed further in their specialist training (usually from year 4) as well as specialists who would like to habilitate can apply for the 36-month Clinician Scientist Programme. Here, too, intensive mentoring is provided.

The Medical Scientist Programme is aimed at doctoral and non-doctoral scientists in medical research with at least three years of postdoctoral experience on the path to postdoctoral qualification.