CLINICIAN SCIENTIST PROGRAMME

Opportunities for physicians engaged in research

Medical professionals who combine both patient care and research are in a position to make a key contribution to translating research results into new and improved applications for medical care. While their direct contact with patients enables them to bring clinically relevant aspects of research into sharper focus, they are also well-placed to incorporate new findings and perspectives into their treatment approaches. The two areas are related in terms of content but very different in terms of work routines, and clinician scientists often report that this variation enriches their day-to-day working lives. However, their dual career path involves many challenges which require specific career support structures.

The Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Münster offer attractive options for physicians to develop both clinical and scientific competencies while flexibly combining research and clinical work throughout their careers – be it while still studying or undergoing clinical specialisation training, or in leadership positions.

“Being a clinician scientist is a huge privilege”

On 10 September, 18 medical professionals from various modules of our Clinician Scientist CareerS programme participated in a special session as part of the 5th Inflammation and Imaging Symposium in Münster: they exchanged thoughts and recommendations with four experienced clinician scientists from Germany and abroad and learned from their experiences. (17 Sept 2025)

Programme highlights

With funding from the German Research Foundation (DFG), we launched our Clinician Scientist CareerS programme in January 2023 and expanded the range of funding we provide for physicians engaged in research. Since then, we have supported 44 clinician scientists from 31 clinics and institutes in the CareerS Starter, Boost and Group modules (as of 11/2025).

“Protected research time is the only option we as physicians have to really pursue research alongside clinical work – that’s why the CareerS programme is so important. Drawing up the plan for my Starter application has proven extremely helpful now that I am also applying for external funding. The CareerS team supported my participation in a coaching programme for female scientists. The chance to engage in genuine exchange within this group, with all of us helping one another to progress, was just amazing.”

Dr Nathalie Becker
Internal medicine, studies the role the gut microbiome plays in autoimmune diseases

“I was very impressed by the way CareerS mentors approached me of their own accord at the networking events. That’s how I found the inspiration for two of my projects – specifically, a method that we now want to tailor to the needs of our research, plus contact with a partner in industry. Also when I approach others, I find that people in Münster are really open to collaboration – even with younger researchers.”

Dr Michael Hülskamp
Trauma surgery, pursues research on bone healing