NHS Scientist Training Programme 2016 applicants!

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This is true, but I think hardly every student, undergraduate at least, will have a fully referenced published paper.

I feel rather crushed now, reading the shortlisting criteria and realising I did not include everything they wanted! Even though I got a previous supervisor from the NHS to read it and give her opinion. I guess it's useful for next year though :frown:

Remember, that getting a published paper is for the maximum marks. Getting 3 marks means that someone "fully meets or exceeds the criteria". Most applicants won't have any publications, but it's only one possible mark you miss out on, and it's probably not going to make or break your application. Anyone with an undergraduate research project could easily achieve 2 marks.

3: a fully referenced, completed and published piece of research
2: a significant, fully described but unpublished piece of research
1: a description of structured research activity

Reply 761

alex83

Original post by Janu_55

I'm sure they have quite strict criteria for shortlisting.. the process needs to be as objective and transparent as possible and judging the 'potential' of a candidate based on 250 word answer is not really possible. The interview is a whole different story though..
Btw. anyone applied for micro or histocompatibility/immunogenetics?

There were 69 possible marks last year, so that would mean 23 criteria if they had 3 marks each. But they definitely don't just go off the person specification, a huge amount of marks seem to be associated with how your application is tailored towards the specialism, but the PS is quite vague - it could apply to all disciplines.

Reply 762

librarygirl

Original post by alex83

I made reference to my MSc study but it was more to illustrate innovative thinking in my research design. I certainly couldn't have fully described it in the given word limit.

Reply 763

librarygirl

Original post by SlipperyJohn

Are they just looking at the 4x 250 word statements or would you think they would use your work experience to answer for some of the criteria?

I imagine the majority of it comes from the statements, but pretty sure details of any placements or relevant employment will count towards marks on team work, specific lab skills, study-work balance etc.

Reply 764

alex83

We've got to remember that although they'll have strict criteria for scoring the applications, they're probably very different to this old document. If they just wanted you to prove you met each point of the PS, they wouldn't be using these specific questions. There'll be some crossover, but they're marking how we answer these questions, not how many points we can shoehorn in.

Reply 765

Janu_55

Original post by librarygirl

I don't think they will try to fish out information from your employment/placement description. For sure not about your interpersonal skills. You might have said that your role was to maintain lab equipment but an actual proof would come from an interview.
As for the published work, it is much easier /common to publish if you are e.g. an immunologist than audiologist so I think for some specialisms there will be a much higher number of applicants with published work than for the other specialisms.
Also if you have a PhD, your thesis is a published work and usually you will also have one or more papers in a peer reviewed journal. Nevertheless a lot of people who get to STP are straight after their undergrad so obviously having a paper is not that important.

Reply 766

emilyphoto

Hey guys, I've been reading up on the posts in this thread and also trying to figure out when we will hear back! I'm currently in NHS employment as a healthcare science support worker (HCSSW) and I have previously applied for the STP once. I was longlisted last time and this current application cycle, but was unsuccessful with shortlisting last time so I have my fingers crossed for this time, as I now have experience to show! My first application was straight out of uni, so it's tough for new graduates too... I have actually accepted a new post as a trainee BMS but I am also holding out for the possibility of getting on the STP. Oh and I have picked specialisms in biochemistry and haematology/transfusion, with most of my experience in biochemistry.

On the Applicant Guidance I have found this:
"For 2016, shortlisting for all specialisms will take place from Thursday 18th February 2016 toFriday 11th March 2016" so we should be hearing back by 21st at the latest?

Good luck everyone!

Reply 767

emilyphoto

Original post by SlipperyJohn

I hear trainee BMS posts are like gold dust these days? I would almost accept that as an alternative to STP if I could find one! Then again there's no dedicated genomics ones...

I knew I had read that somewhere, the 11th! Yeah I guess it makes sense for them to finish around that time and then use the next week to taunt us/assign everyone an order on the sliding scale of doom.

They are pretty difficult to find, luckily the trust I'm working at currently has had a few band 5 BMS posts come up so I missed out on them in my department but I'm moving over to immunology! I have accepted the post but still waiting to see if I get an interview for STP, it would be a quicker route up the ladder!

So unfair really, if they decide on the shortlist then they should announce it as soon as they know :frown:

What's your background? Hope you're not my competition :wink:

Reply 768

librarygirl

When I mentioned to my parents about the shortlisting, they said in the most sceptical tone ever "Well if it's as hard as you say it is, then maybe you should just.....what have you got to offer others don't?"

Some parents would say "I believe you're worth shortlisting" and some of my friends have kindly said they would pray that I get in. But not my folks. Down to earth, ALWAYS. Even if that means having no faith in my capabilities XD

Reply 769

emilyphoto

Original post by SlipperyJohn

I doubt I will get an interview so don't worry about that but my background for the most part has been in genotyping knock out clones for a research pipeline.

Why do you doubt your chance at interview? Sounds like you've got a lot of specialist experience!

Original post by librarygirl

When I mentioned to my parents about the shortlisting, they said in the most sceptical tone ever "Well if it's as hard as you say it is, then maybe you should just.....what have you got to offer others don't?"Some parents would say "I believe you're worth shortlisting" and some of my friends have kindly said they would pray that I get in. But not my folks. Down to earth, ALWAYS. Even if that means having no faith in my capabilities XD

Haahaha my parents have no idea what I'm talking about and they're always just asking how I've done, but as always, they're disappointed in me constantly :rolleyes:

(edited 8 years ago)

Reply 770

Semi-101

Hi guys,

Just wondered if you guys have a back up plan in case this doesn't work out? I hate to think negatively but considering how competitive this programme is, it has crossed my mind.

X

Reply 771

tsvety

Original post by Semi-101

Hi guys,

Just wondered if you guys have a back up plan in case this doesn't work out? I hate to think negatively but considering how competitive this programme is, it has crossed my mind.

X

Yeah, I'm trying to be optimistic, but realistically speaking the odds are not in my favor at all :frown:

I've got a Plan B and a Plan C and...yeah, hopefully won't need Plan D haha. But if it doesn't work out with the STP this year, I'll be looking (already have) at other Genetics-related jobs with the NHS/private clinics so I can get more experience and try again next year...to be honest I also have interest in Immunology/Hislology/Oncology so anything in these areas would be great. As a back-up of the back-up I'm considering industry as a temporary thing until I get something with the NHS as for the long run I can picture myself only in a hospital/clinical setting, don't think I have what's needed to progress in industry *shrug*.

What about you? :smile:

Reply 772

librarygirl

Original post by Semi-101

Hi guys,

Just wondered if you guys have a back up plan in case this doesn't work out? I hate to think negatively but considering how competitive this programme is, it has crossed my mind.

X

I have a job interview with a company on 17th March and actively looking for others. That should answer your question.

Reply 773

emilyphoto

Original post by SlipperyJohn

Protective pessimism mostly. What is your background? You are going for the Genomics strand also or?

Aha I totally feel the same! Prepare for the worst, then you're never disappointed?

Nope I'm going for biochemistry and haematology/transfusion!

Reply 774

emilyphoto

Original post by Semi-101

Hi guys,

Just wondered if you guys have a back up plan in case this doesn't work out? I hate to think negatively but considering how competitive this programme is, it has crossed my mind.

X

I'm just going into a trainee BMS post so that's my current and backup plan for the moment! How about you?

Reply 775

a6georgia1

Original post by Semi-101

Hi guys,

Just wondered if you guys have a back up plan in case this doesn't work out? I hate to think negatively but considering how competitive this programme is, it has crossed my mind.

X

I'm lined up to study a MSc as I'm only just graduating

Reply 776

librarygirl

The more I think about it, the less likely it seems. It could be any number of marks' difference which means you don't get shortlisted. Plus I think my ears will fall off if I hear once more "it's so competitive (basically don't bother hoping)"

Reply 777

nech

well as it is really competitive and there are very few spaces aaaand because we dont no how many people have applied for our specialty i dont think it is pessimistic to make a backup plan or two.. its actually the wiser approach bec u dont wana find yourself high and dry with nothing to do..
All that said (I applied for genomic counselling and genomics) i love science (genetics lets be honest) so much but im a people person and need to be in a job i find highly stimulating.. hence i dont think i could get a lab job to sit it out til next STP cycle or something like that.. patience is not my strong point!!
So i am thinking of
- science patent law (my uni gave us a speech about that .. sounds lucrative but oh so boring) or other areas of law but dnt rly wana go thru alot more studying
- going to work in a totally different field (goodbye genetics) that i can use my people skills and management and energy for - any ideas?!
- i have been involved in charity work and i may go do this professionally like liasing between patients and hospitals etc but would ideally prefer a career where i am advancing my scientific status
- postgrad medicine .. always been a secret dream but i missed the deadlines last year :/ i would consider this..
- a masters but i would get a job as well
- i am considering a PhD and applied to some but none were successful slash my references didnt send in in time :frown:

would keep applying even though i dont really want to spend 4 years in research bu ti prefer it to a lab job for 4 years - this way i will be much more qualified.
Any ideas welcome!

Reply 778

Janu_55

I have no back up plan whatsoever. I'd rather shoot myself in the foot than do another year of post-doc... So basically, I have to get into STP!!! :wink:

Reply 779

Icandoscience

Had my personal review with my line manager today and fessed up that I'm applying to STP. He doesn't give much away but I think he's pleased for me . Obviously I made a back up plan with him and if I don't make it this time I'll try again next year or maybe explore the management side of the nhs