Scientist Training Programme – STP Perspectives

Preparing for the STP Interviews!

Hey! My name is Nic and I’m a first-year Clinical Engineering STP trainee, specialising in Rehabilitation Engineering! (So take this post through the lens of someone who researched the heck out of the STP applications and prepare to have that experience shared with you.)

Congratulations on getting to the interview stages of the STP application! (Or you’re just snooping around to find out more about the application process 👀)

Preparing for the interview for the STP can be a difficult process given the limited information or guidance out there! The interview process has changed considerably over time, especially due to circumstances during COVID. To better understand the expectations during the interview, here’s a bit of history around the (NSH England) STP interview process!

What is Clinical Immunology?

Hello, I’m Helen and I’m a second year STP in Clinical Immunology. I work with University Hospitals Sussex and so get to work across a few of our hospitals (but mainly based in Brighton). Clinical Immunology is part of the blood sciences group which works closely with Biochemistry, Haematology and Genomics specialties. It’s an area that varies a lot depending on the hospital you are training in but there are four main areas that we test:

Autoimmunity – eg. Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE), Celiac disease, Rheumatoid arthritis
Immunodeficiency – eg. Severe Combined Immunodeficiency (SCID), X-linked agammaglobulinemia (XLA), Chronic Granulomatous Disease (CGD)
Allergy – eg. Anaphylaxis, Oral Allergy Syndrome, Drug allergies
Haematological Oncology – eg. Chronic Lymphoblastic Leukaemia, Multiple Myeloma

Scientist Training Programme 2024 Application Advice

Is it worth applying if I’ve just graduated from university? 

Totally! I have many colleagues who have come straight from university – so it’s an option. I also have colleagues who have a PhD, or a masters and colleagues with young children– it’s a whole mixing pot. However, (personally) I have always enjoyed taking time out between each career step to breathe a little. The STP is a very full-on three years with no breaks and it’s easy to become burnt-out. I think taking time out of education has put me in a better head-space to take on the academic challenges an MSc and the STP involve. 

When a bubble bath won’t cut it

Hi team! I’m Dawn, (sort of) 3^rd year Audiology STP – I’ll explain that later. I wanted to share my experiences particularly in regard to seeking support for the course with chronic mental and physical health issues, and neurodevelopmental diagnoses. While you might be directed to various support organisations and services, it’s not always clear what each can support you with!

Tips on how to write a Research Proposal

Hi, I’m Elle and I am about to enter my third year as a Clinical Immunology STP at Oxford. My research project is evaluating our service which aids in the diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis and potentially implement a new test to make the process more streamlined.

As you may know, as part of the MSc component of the STP, everyone is expected to complete a research project. This ideally should equate to ~10 weeks’ worth of work and is conducted in collaboration with your workplace. Based on personal experience, the project will be decided by the seniors within your department and is often a project they believe will improve and enhance their service. However, if you have a particular interest, don’t be afraid to have a discussion with them or your training officer about some ideas you may have. It is never a bad idea to put forward your own interests and passions. As this part of the MSc, your university needs to also approve your project. This is done by writing a research proposal. You will get more information regarding what is suitable for a project from your course leads. This little blog post is just to give some advice on how to approach writing a research proposal to make it a lot less daunting.

Balancing parenthood with the STP

Hi! I’m Danni, a first-year Clinical Bioinformatics Genomics STP based at the Birmingham Women’s and Children’s Foundation Trust. I’m also the proud parent of a 3-year-old daughter. Having just finished a PhD, I thought I knew exactly what it was like to study while raising a toddler. Little did I know that balancing work life, home life, and studying would prove to be quite the challenge! So I’m here to share my experiences, hoping they’ll help any new parents embarking on this exciting journey (congratulations, by the way!)

The Festival of Genomics and Biodata

The opportunity to attend healthcare science conferences is one that every NHS STP trainee should take advantage of. This is because it enhances your learning, enables you to network with scientists within and outside of the NHS, and achieves one of your professional foundations of healthcare science competencies.

The Six Month Survival Guide

Hi, my names Estelle, and I’m a new co-editor here at STP perspectives. I’m currently in my first year of the Clinical Microbiology STP. My studies and work experience have all been in Microbiology and Medical Microbiology.

This blog is about how I’ve survived the first six months of the STP. It will cover:

What sort of challenges you might face
How to utilise your cohort/ colleagues to assist you
Some reminders to take it easy!

Finding your feet in first year!

My name is Leanne and I am a first year biochemistry STP at Wolverhampton – something I am still getting used to saying! When I applied for the STP not one part of me thought I was going to be successful as I was fresh out of university. I decided to apply anyway for the experience, in the hopes I could eventually get onto it. Much to my surprise I was offered a place (very last minute, but that is a story for another time). From the very beginning I heard lots of mention of ‘imposter syndrome’ and I am definitely still feeling this at nearly 5 months in.
For me not only is this a new job, but also a completely new city. I don’t think I had even set foot in the West Midlands, until I came to have a look at the lab once I had been offered the position. It has been a major change for me and something I am still adjusting to. It is natural to miss home and you will have good and bad days. However, I feel extremely lucky in that I have an amazing training officer who made me feel super settled immediately.

Tag: Scientist Training Programme