RCR/Cyclotron Trust Second Centre Experience in Proton Beam Therapy

Applications are now open. If you are interested in applying, please read the information below and submit your application no later than 30th November 2025.

This is a scheme by the RCR and Cyclotron Trust to provide residents in Clinical Oncology specialty training opportunity to spend 6 months in either UCLH or The Christie Proton Beam Therapy (PBT) Centres as part of their training to gain more understanding on proton beam therapy and its clinical applications.

The opportunity to spend up to 4 weeks at Clatterbridge to gain exposure of use of low energy proton therapy for ocular tumours is also available.

If you are/will be a resident-in-training (ST6 or ST7) and have ideally passed FRCR Part 2 by the time of the proton therapy rotation, you are eligible to apply.

You will need to have prior discussions and approval from your training programme director that you are allowed to spend 6 months away from your current rotation. 

If you are interested to apply for a second centre experience in proton therapy for ocular tumours, please also follow this process. Rotation for this is limited to 2 - 4 weeks.

1. Discuss your intent with your educational supervisor and training programme director for approval to spend 6 months in a second centre. 
2. You will need the support of your deanery to ensure that your monthly salary paid by the deanery (50%) will continue during the duration of your second centre experience. The host proton therapy centre (The Christie or UCLH) will contribute 50% of your salary (which is usually paid by your Trust).

There is only one application cycle per year.

All applicants will need to fill out the application form and send this, a CV, a budget plan, and a reference to [email protected] no later than the 30 November 2025.

There are two parts to the application form:

• Part A: All applicants must complete Part A, which is specific to the second centre experience. If you are having difficulty securing the necessary approvals ahead of the deadline please contact us.
• Part B: Only applicants who require a bursary to support travel and accommodation for the second centre experience will need to complete this section, as this part is specific to the RCR-Cyclotron Trust bursary award for the second centre experience. 
  Residents who are part of the London/Kent, Surrey and Sussex and Northwest Deaneries are not eligible for the bursary.

All applicants are asked to provide the following in addition to their application form:

1. A brief CV (no more than two pages).
2. A budget plan, indicating estimated travel and accommodation costs (if applying for bursary for travel and accommodation). 
3. One reference from educational or clinical supervisor or head of department. 

All applicants will be invited to participate in an interview with our selection panel which comprises representatives from the RCR, the Cyclotron Trust, the Christie and UCLH.

The provisional date for interviews is 17 December 2025.

The panel’s recommendations will be considered by the Clinical Oncology Strategic Training Board prior to candidates being notified of the outcome. 

You will be informed of the outcome as soon as possible, several weeks after the interview.

December 2025

Selection panel members meet to review applications.
Applicant interviews held.

January 2026

Applicants notified of outcome.

February/March 2026

Employment contract process at individual PBT centre to begin for successful applicants.

August/September 2026

Start date (negotiable and dependent on contracts; within 18 months of notification)

If you have any further questions regarding the Second Centre Experience that are not covered above, please contact Dr Shermaine Pan at [email protected].