The UK Dementia Trials Network’s Workforce & Training workstream aims to enhance workforce development and retention through coordinated training, mentorship, career pathways, and partnerships that strengthen skills and capacity for effective dementia trial delivery.
Application Timeline
Applications to join UKDTN as a Clinical Trial fellow are open now!
- Deadline: 31 October 2026
- Decisions communicated by: 31 January 2027
How to Apply
If you are interested in applying or would like further information, please contact: ukdtn.ctf@newcastle.ac.uk
Workforce capability is essential to the success of dementia clinical trials. UKDTN is committed to building a sustainable, skilled, and resilient workforce that supports site readiness, individual growth, and national trial delivery. Our ethos is simple: Building capacity, capability, and community.
The Need
The UK dementia trials ecosystem faces significant challenges:
- Lack of career progression pathways
- Shortage of nurses, CIs/PIs, clinical fellows, allied health professionals, pharmacists, radiologists, coordinators, and administrators
- Insufficient workforce capacity and capability to deliver complex trials
- Need for a critical mass of expertise to allow sites to self-sustain and grow
Challenges in Dementia Clinical Trials
Delivering dementia trials requires navigating unique complexities:
- Recruiting and retaining individuals who are vulnerable and clinically complex
- Managing technically demanding protocols and assessments
- Addressing specialized ethical and regulatory considerations
- Increasing demand for first-in-human trials requiring advanced expertise
We need a capable and specialist workforce to meet these challenges.
Focus and Ethos of the Workforce & Training Workstream
Our workstream aims to add value by targeting unmet needs without duplicating existing training provisions.
We focus on four key developmental areas:
- Develop new Principal and Chief Investigators
- Embed early-phase trial expertise across UKDTN sites
- Create a national multidisciplinary community of practice
- Establish best practice guidelines for dementia trials
Visit funding web page
(ukdtn.ctf@newcastle.ac.uk)
