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NHS Scientist Training Programme 2018 Applicants

Hey :smile:

I thought I'd start a thread for any potential NHS STP applicants. Obviously applications don't open for another couple of months but I thought it would be good to set one up.

I'm not entirely sure if I'm applying this cycle or the one after, I feel my application would maybe be stronger in a year's time, but then I guess there's no harm in trying (even though it's ridiculously competitive :redface:)

Anyway, if you're applying or considering it, what specialism(s)? What degree do you have? Do you have any experience?

I'm interested in the more physiological specialisms, mostly critical care science and cardiac science. I graduated with a biology degree this year and I'm working as a HCA in the critical care unit, 1. for experience, and 2. because I want to be sure that a career in healthcare is definitely for me, so this is a good place to address that :smile:

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I'll be applying this year as well probably for Genomics and Genomic Counselling. I've worked in an NHS lab before but not in genetics. Do we know when the open days will be advertised? I wanted to go last year and missed them all :frown:
Original post by Kay-to-tha-A
I'll be applying this year as well probably for Genomics and Genomic Counselling. I've worked in an NHS lab before but not in genetics. Do we know when the open days will be advertised? I wanted to go last year and missed them all :frown:

Nice! :smile: I came across this the other day:

https://www.nshcs.hee.nhs.uk/events/item/489-stp-genomics-genomic-counselling-bioinformatics-genomics-open-day-west-midlands

Is that what you mean? :smile:
Reply 3
I am going to try applying this year, might not get in due to the competitiveness, but at least it will show me what I need!

Probably applying for Genomics Counselling, but the website doesn’t have enough info to explore the different roles at the moment.

The only thing is that I do not have healthcare experience yet. There don’t seem to be any voluntary options, unless I’m looking in the wrong places! Am in the middle of exploring a few different options, but any tips or advice would be wonderful!

Thanks and good luck to all applicants!
Indi
Reply 4
Original post by Changing Skies
Hey :smile:

I thought I'd start a thread for any potential NHS STP applicants. Obviously applications don't open for another couple of months but I thought it would be good to set one up.

I'm not entirely sure if I'm applying this cycle or the one after, I feel my application would maybe be stronger in a year's time, but then I guess there's no harm in trying (even though it's ridiculously competitive :redface:)

Anyway, if you're applying or considering it, what specialism(s)? What degree do you have? Do you have any experience?

I'm interested in the more physiological specialisms, mostly critical care science and cardiac science. I graduated with a biology degree this year and I'm working as a HCA in the critical care unit, 1. for experience, and 2. because I want to be sure that a career in healthcare is definitely for me, so this is a good place to address that :smile:



Hey! I am applying for Cardiac Science. I am currently completing my final year in BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Science and want to specialise in the clinical field. Abit apprehensive regarding the application process, but hey-ho what will be will be! I am hoping there are a few more institutions available that will do cardiac science this year.
Original post by Kay-to-tha-A
I'll be applying this year as well probably for Genomics and Genomic Counselling. I've worked in an NHS lab before but not in genetics. Do we know when the open days will be advertised? I wanted to go last year and missed them all :frown:


Open day for the Oxford regional genetics lab is open and I've already signed up :smile:
I am applying for Reproductive Science for 2018! Studying Biomedical Science at Warwick at the minute!! X
I want to apply for Clinical Biochemistry for 2018, studying Bioochemistry in Nottingham currently!
Hey guys :smile:

Im hoping to apply to the STP this cycle. I thought about applying last year too but i thought with the competitiveness of it, that I would be better off waiting a year.

My undergrad was Biochemistry and I'm currently doing an MRes in Immunology. I wanted to originally apply for Immunology, however I take a genetic medicine module which is quite clinical and am really enjoying that so was thinking of also applying to Genomics.

I don't have any clinical experience, although my research project that I will be starting in February is slightly clinical. Other than that I have experience in an academic research lab and some experience from a dry research project. Not sure if my lack of clinical experience will hold me back!
Reply 9
I graduated back in 2016 in Medical Biochemistry, but I didn't apply then as it's so competitive and I thought it best to get some more things under my belt first.

I'm planning on applying for histocompatibility and immunogenetics. I was lucky enough to work for Anthony Nolan in my year out but although I had a lot of patient contact and collected samples I didn't work in the labs.

I'm just at the beginning of an MRes in Transplantation, where my lab project starts in February. Pretty conscious of how limited my lab experience is at the moment though!


Thanks for this, this is exactly what I was looking for. I'm actually hoping to book on to the Manchester open day but I'm assuming they'll put it on this page when they've got a date.
Reply 11
Every week new open days are going up. I’m going to the one in Sheffield in January to find out more about genomics counselling. Anyone else?
Hello all,

I will be applying to Genomic Counselling this year. Submitted an application last year and got to interview reserve stage (my application score was annoyingly close to being invited to interview! so will try harder with that this time!)

I have a Bsc in Human Genetics (UCL) graduated in 2013 and have been working in the charity sector since then but really hoping to move into something more healthcare/ genetics based.

Just signed up to go to the West Midlands Genomics open day, but it is not until the 30th Jan, I seem to remember that is very close to when the applications closed last year so I'm not sure if it is worth it?
Hi Cradders!

When you say 'my application score was annoyingly close to being invited to interview' what do you mean? I am also looking at applying for Genomic Counselling and am trying to understand the process!

Thank you!
(edited 6 years ago)
Hey So they mark your written application (i think it is out of 60) and they willl invite the top scoring people to an interview day (seem to remember they will invite 3x the number of places to interview). After all of the recruitment is finished they release your application scores (and interview if you went to one). So at that point you can figure out how close you were to being interviewer etc. Hope that helps!
Original post by Cradders
Hey So they mark your written application (i think it is out of 60) and they willl invite the top scoring people to an interview day (seem to remember they will invite 3x the number of places to interview). After all of the recruitment is finished they release your application scores (and interview if you went to one). So at that point you can figure out how close you were to being interviewer etc. Hope that helps!


Thank you Cradders! That really helps, good luck with your application!
Hi everyone! I have a Biomedical Science degree and an MRes in Cancer Sciences and my plan is to apply to Genomics/Cancer genomics since I've covered this in my MRes and thoroughly enjoyed it. My only question is... it says you need at least A-level in Maths and I only have an AS in maths. Does that mean I automatically will be ruled out??
Original post by Hazel92
Hi everyone! I have a Biomedical Science degree and an MRes in Cancer Sciences and my plan is to apply to Genomics/Cancer genomics since I've covered this in my MRes and thoroughly enjoyed it. My only question is... it says you need at least A-level in Maths and I only have an AS in maths. Does that mean I automatically will be ruled out??


A level maths is only for bioinformatics right?
Hello, I am applying for the genomic counselling I am currently a nurse, but I am struggling to get any genetics related experience. I have looked at doing a genetics course but not sure if it would be worth it. Does anyone know if the personal statement questions are different from year to year?
Original post by sameebee
Hello, I am applying for the genomic counselling I am currently a nurse, but I am struggling to get any genetics related experience. I have looked at doing a genetics course but not sure if it would be worth it. Does anyone know if the personal statement questions are different from year to year?


Personal statement is a personal statement? Not sure how it could change much.

I think the minimum requirements are a BSc in the relevant discipline?