Become a Tessa Jowell Fellow

A national training Fellowship in neuro-oncology, launching your career in specialist clinical care and research leadership

The Tessa Jowell Fellowship Programme trains doctors across the specialties involved in brain tumour treatment, care and research, combining protected clinical training in their own specialty with research time and cross-specialty learning. Fellowships open periodically across different specialties and centres, across both Adult and Paediatric training pathways. Co-funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) and partner organisations, Fellowships are fully funded positions embedded at Tessa Jowell Centres of Excellence, designed to develop future leadership in specialist neuro-oncology practice and research.

Core Specialty Training (40%) 

Advanced clinical practice in your discipline, building depth of case exposure including complex and rare presentations. Fellows progress from observing and learning to managing their own inpatient and outpatient caseload, developing the independent judgement and decision-making that specialist practice demands, alongside experience in treatment planning and delivery. Cross-centre opportunities extend that exposure further, including observing specific treatment modalities such as proton beam therapy.  

Cross-Specialty Learning (10%) 

Cross-specialty learning develops familiarity with the other key specialties involved in the delivery of brain tumour treatment and care. Fellows attend observerships in relevant specialties, building familiarity with multidisciplinary decision-making and the holistic management of the symptoms and complications of brain tumours: 

• Neurosurgery — neurosurgical decision-making, advanced techniques, and the management of neurosurgical complications. 
• Neuroimaging — the role of neuroimaging in assessing brain tumours, and the role of novel imaging modalities. 
• Neuropathology — the role of neuropathology and molecular genomics in clinical decision-making and clinical trial enrolment. 

Past Fellows report increased confidence in explaining multidisciplinary decision-making to patients and families, and a deeper understanding of the roles that shape best practice. 

Research Training (40%) 

The Research module of the fellowship equips Fellows with the research skills to contribute to and lead high-impact neuro-oncology research, from clinical trial design and delivery to translational and collaborative projects. Training is shaped around your specialty, interests and existing experience, building on the skills you already have and broadening them through research opportunities at your host institution and across the wider field, including TJBCM’s Novel Therapeutics Accelerator (BTR-NTA) meetings. Throughout, you will build a network of future collaborators, locally and nationally. 

National Engagement (10%) 

The National Engagement module builds early national leadership experience, giving Fellows a platform to shape the future of neuro-oncology policy and practice. As part of the wider Mission team, you will be encouraged to take on a ‘national challenge’ project with TJBCM, tackling an unmet need experienced by centres across the UK, and invited to TJBCM policy events to understand how change is made and how policy shapes clinical practice and research. Fellows are also supported to attend conferences, national training opportunities and national neuro-oncology group meetings. Fellows to date have given evidence to government committees, led national consensus statements on treatment access and diagnostic testing standards, and shaped UK-wide practice guidance.

• Undertake a prestigious full-funded fellowship at a recognised Tessa Jowell Centre of Excellence. 
• Build expertise directly relevant to your specialty’s role in neuro-oncology, from diagnosis through long-term management. 
• Work alongside and learn from a full multidisciplinary team including neurosurgery, oncology, radiology, pathology and allied health disciplines. 
• Develop the research skills and national network to lead neuro-oncology trials and research in the future. 
• Receive mentorship from leading UK experts in your specialty and in neuro-oncology. 
• Join the Tessa Jowell Brain Cancer Mission team, helping shape the UK’s national brain tumour strategy. 

• Near completion of specialty training (or equivalent) in a specialty relevant to neuro-oncology.*  
• Eligible for full GMC registration. 
• Demonstrated interest and emerging experience relevant to neuro-oncology within your specialty. 
• A genuine ambition to combine a clinical academic career with neuro-oncology practice. 
• Evidence of team-working and emerging leadership skills. 

Exact essential and desirable criteria are set per specialty and published on each Fellowship’s own opportunity page. 

* Trainees still in a training programme are welcome to apply and can undertake the Fellowship as out-of-programme (OOP) time, subject to approval from their training programme director and deanery. 

Is the Fellowship full-time? 

Fellowships are fully funded full-time posts, split between clinical training and research, however, if you have requirements for part-time work or questions about FTE, then please contact our team. 

How will my Fellowship be structured? 

Fellowships can be structured in different ways, the four modules are organised around the opportunities available at your host institution and with your supervisor, based around your professional growth and interests within the context of the fellowships aims.  

What if there is no open fellowship in my specialty or region right now? 

Submit an expression of interest above. New rounds open periodically across specialties and tracks, and we will contact you when something relevant becomes available. 

Do I need research experience before I apply? 

No prior independent research is required, but you should be able to show emerging interest and early experience — for example contributing to a study, case series or audit — and a genuine ambition to build a research career alongside clinical practice. 

“My fellowship has been an incredible year and I am very grateful for all the opportunities that I have had at University College London Hospitals and beyond. I have particularly enjoyed the multi disciplinary experiences, varied research projects and TJBCM related initiatives. I look forward to building on the skills and networks gained during my fellowship in the years to come.”

Dr Morag Brothwell, Tessa Jowell Neuro-oncology Fellow

“This fellowship, although not a necessity for the post I am due to undertake, I consider as being career changing. Exposure to neuro-oncology for trainees is minimal or non existent and

the fellowship has provided an indepth 12 months to explore excellent clinical practice and research which is simply not possible within normal oncological training.”

Dr Sean Main, Tessa Jowell Neuro-oncology Fellow

“Observing different disciplines has been one of the most valuable aspects of the Fellowship. Time with neurosurgeons, neuropathologists, neurologists and neuroradiologists has given me a far richer understanding of how each specialty perceives and manages the same patient.”

Dr Sarah Kingdon, Tessa Jowell Neuro-oncology Fellow 

1. Find an open Fellowship in current opportunities, or submit an expression of interest above if nothing matches your specialty yet. 
2. Read that Fellowship’s page and its full guidance document. 
3. Submit your application form and CV according to the page’s instructions by the closing date. 
4. Shortlisted candidates are invited to interview. 
5. Successful candidates are notified of their outcome and start date.