***** FOR MORE INFORMATION ON RESEARCH SFP POSTS RECRUITMENT please refer to the UKFPO website AND THE NHSE England website ****

The guidance explains to applicants that there are two pathways via which they can apply for an England SFP – one is via their own medical school selection process, and the other is via national allocation (using PIA).

The UKFPO page includes FAQs and other general information - please check the UKFPO guidance before applying in case amendments have been made.

The Peninsula Foundation School offers 8 x 2-year Academic RESEARCH Specialised Foundation Programmes (SFP)offering a range of opportunities for academic clinicians focusing on research careers and clinicians who want to develop special interests. There are 3 Research posts based in University Hospitals Plymouth and 5 Research posts based in Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust (in EXETER).

Each of the programmes starts with a generic clinical foundation year 1 comprising 3x4 month rotations.

In F2 in Exeter, the pattern is for 3 x 4 month rotations with one of these rotations being an Academic rotation.

In F2 in Plymouth the year will comprise of 3 x 4 month rotations with one of these rotations being an Academic rotation.

Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust (in EXETER)

5 x Research SFPs based in Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust (in EXETER).

2 of these SFP programmes will be recruited to from Exeter University Students via Pathway 1.

3 of these SFP programmes will be recruited to via the National Recruitment process Pathway 2 using Preferenced Informed Allocation (PIA).

The posts will be of particular interest to those aspiring to an academic career but the research skills will be generic and the experience will be of benefit to anyone with an interest in health and health service research.  

Each programme starts with a generic clinical F1 year comprising 3x4 month rotations. In F2, the post will be offered as 3 x 4 month placements at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital.  

Currently the F1 Pathway 2 programmes are as below. 

Please note that as with all our programmes these are subject to change.

Currently the F2 Pathway 2 programmes are as below.

Please note that as with all our programmes these are subject to change.

Wide ranging research possibilities exist within genetics, paediatrics, obstetrics, public health, oncology, haematology and renal medicine (list not exhaustive). The post will be of particular interest to those aspiring to a career in psychiatry, paediatrics, public health or primary care.

Research Areas and Leads

Wide ranging research possibilities exist through the University of Exeter Medical School.  Each research foundation trainee has the opportunity to preference their research area.

Research opportunities at University of Exeter Medical School for Academic Foundation Doctors 

University Hospitals Plymouth

3 x Research posts based in University Hospitals Plymouth

1 of these SFP programmes will be recruited to from Plymouth University Students via Pathway 1.

2 of these SFP programmes will be recruited to via the National Recruitment process Pathway 2 using Preferenced Informed Allocation (PIA).

SFP trainees will undergo a standard FY1 clinical rotation.

Currently the F1 Pathway 2 programmes contain the following specialties in various orders are as below. 

Please note that as with all our programmes these are subject to change.

In FY2, the trainee will have 3 x 4-month clinical placements.

Currently the F2 Pathway 2 programmes contain the following specialties in various orders are as below. 

Please note that as with all our programmes these are subject to change.

In FY2, the 4-month academic placement is spent undertaking research as described below in the link to the Job Description. The programme is designed to provide experience of a clinical academic environment and to develop generic research skills. This will suit both those interested in pursuing a clinical academic career and those interested in applying research skills to improve patient care in their clinical practice. 

Plymouth Research Job Description

 For further details, please go to the Specialised Foundation Programme page on the UKFPO website.

ADDITIONAL MEDICAL EDUCATION/LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT ACADEMIC POSTS available through the FPP process.

IN ADDITON TO OUR SFP RESEARCH PROGRAMMES, we also have the following academic programmes which for August 2026 start will be recruited through the FOUNDATION PRIORITY PROGRAMME recruitment process.

2 x Fixed Medical Education posts based in Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust (in EXETER)

4 x Academic posts based at Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust which can be in either Medical Education or Leadership & Management

2 x Academic posts based at Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust which can be in either Medical Education or Leadership & Management

General Information

For more information, the UKFPO Applicant’s Handbook is available on the Two Year Foundation Programme section of the UKFPO website.

For more information about our trusts and training in the Peninsula including Job Descriptions please see our How to Apply section.

For further information on options in  Foundation training please see our Peninsula School Policies and Guidance page.

For general queries regarding the Peninsula Specialised Foundation Programmes please contact: The Peninsula Foundation School – Suzanne Maddock -01752 590626  - suzanne.maddock2@nhs.net.