The Development and Skills Enhancement Award (DSE) is one of many ways in which the NIHR supports researchers to establish partnerships with industry to drive forward improvements to care and innovations. It enables individuals to develop and increase their skills in entrepreneurship as well as working with industry. Here, Anaesthetist Dr Gareth Kitchen explains how the DSE helped him to build a relationship with industry partners.
Published: 18 July 2024
Developing skills and knowledge of industry
Dr Gareth Kitchen, Honorary Consultant Anaesthetist at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, was awarded a DSE in 2021. The DSE is a post-doctoral funding award designed to support early to mid-career researchers in gaining skills and experience to further advance their careers. Its funding covers researchers’ salaries and training, including any mentorship costs.
“I had previous strong training in fundamental science,” says Gareth, “ and I wanted to gain experience and skills working within clinical research and at the interface of academia, industry, and the NHS. I knew the DSE would develop my skillset to one favourable for an NIHR funded clinical researcher.”
The DSE Award gives mid-career researchers the time to identify where their research skills and knowledge need developing, fine-tuning them ahead of the next step in their research careers.
Collaborating with industry partners
The award meant that Gareth was able to undertake training focusing on entrepreneurship and business development. He also gained a more in-depth understanding of industry and how commercialisation works within research and the NHS.
"Working with industry at the interface of academia and the NHS has given me insight into the challenges and considerations faced by companies. It has helped me understand business models, development, and the priorities and thought processes used by companies.”
This insight proved key when, after completing the DSE, Gareth submitted a successful application to the NIHR Health Technology Assessment programme. He has now been awarded £2.5m funding to lead research into new airway devices which could transform outcomes for thousands of intensive care patients with breathing difficulties.
“The DSE enabled me to gain industry insights relevant to working collaboratively with Qualitech Healthcare limited, who are supplying their system free of charge to my trial. I was able to understand potential challenges around the supply chain, and ensuring that my device trial had access to the right technology.”
In the future, Gareth plans to apply for an NIHR Advanced Fellowship, and has found ways to integrate academic training with his professional role:
“Academia requires persistence and perseverance, and takes time. Finding the right environment and mentors to provide guidance is also very important. Maintaining a 50-50 split between academic and clinical time in a rolling two-week pattern has also worked really well for me as an anaesthetist due to the sessional nature of my clinical shifts; it’s helped me to maintain my skills as a clinician without ever losing academic momentum.”
NIHR industry collaboration opportunities
Researchers can use their NIHR career development award to establish new partnerships with the life sciences industry and small and medium-sized enterprises.
If you’re interested in working with a commercial partner, as part of your current NIHR Fellowship/research training award, or an application for funding from NIHR, contact the NIHR Academy.