Comprehensive · Source does not publish funding, application deadline
DECISION SUMMARY
Key facts at a glance
Eligibility
International route mentioned
Funding
Not published
Deadline
Not published
Duration
12 months per post (the 2024 trust advert stated 12 months to 2 years; the 2026 interface and international adverts state 12 months).
Hands-on
Unclear — confirm privileges
Clinical exposureIntegrated orthopaedic and neurosurgical spine unit with 12 consultant spinal surgeons and 24-hour spinal on-call, covering the Leeds Major Trauma Centre. Fellows see deformity (including paediatric), lumbar and cervical degenerative disease, trauma, infection, tumour and spinal injuries. The job plan is about 80% clinical and 20% research, with at least one peer-reviewed publication expected.
Participation levelClinical participation and hands-on restrictions must be confirmed directly with the host.
INTERNATIONAL APPLICANT CHECK
Can an international surgeon apply?
≈Partially published
International applicants
Leeds advertises a dedicated International Spine Fellow post (2026 advert, February 2027–February 2028 start). The national JCST interface fellowship itself is limited to applicants on the GMC and/or Irish Specialist Register.
?Confirm directly with host
Clinical role
Clinical or combined training pathway; exact duties remain appointment-specific. Hands-on participation and operative restrictions are not explicitly published.
≈Partially published
Medical registration
Full GMC registration with a licence to practise at the time of application.
—Not published
Language
No formal language requirement is published by the cited source.
≈Partially published
Visa or work authorisation
2026 adverts: Leeds Teaching Hospitals can sponsor only applicants who meet the Skilled Worker eligibility criteria or salary-threshold concessions. The 2024 advert welcomed applicants needing Skilled Worker sponsorship.
DATA QUALITY & AVAILABILITY69% of core application fields verifiedChecked 3 Oct 2026 · Next scheduled editorial review: 2027-04-01
✓ programme title✓ institution / department✓ city and country✓ programme classification✓ subspecialty✓ current status evidence✓ duration✓ positions✓ benefits✓ international eligibility✓ registration✓ application process✓ application portal✓ official contact✓ faculty✓ verified institution logo✓ official source✓ institutional source✓ accreditation / organisation source✓ verification date— commencement / intake · official sources conflict— Funding information not published · historical evidence only— accommodation / relocation · queued for source review— eligibility · historical evidence only— Language requirement not published · queued for source review— visa / work authorisation · historical evidence only— Current deadline not yet published · historical evidence only— required documents · not published by the cited official source— Verified faculty photograph not available · queued for source review
APPLICATION TIMELINE & CONTACT
Plan the application
Application deadlineNo current deadline published in the cited evidence
Commencing dateDifferent posts start in February or August. The July 2026 trust adverts recruited an Interface Spinal Fellow from August 2027 and an International Spine Fellow starting between February 2027 and February 2028 (both adverts now closed).
Application route / cycleRecruitment runs through NHS Jobs. The unit website says applications open in April each year, with posts allocated 12–24 months ahead. Dated: in July 2026, adverts for the August 2027 Interface post (interviews 5 August 2026) and the International post (interviews 11 August 2026) were posted; both are now closed.
MBChB or equivalent, ATLS, MRCS, and AO Basic & Advanced courses (essential, 2024 person specification)
FRCS (Tr&Orth) or FRCS (SN) desirable
More than 4–6 years of StR-level orthopaedic or neurosurgical experience; current ST7/8 trainees are eligible for the National Spinal Fellow post (2024 person specification)
Competency in orthopaedics or neurosurgery at a level approaching or having achieved CCT (or equivalent)
Research and audit experience with peer-reviewed publications
Application documents
NHS Jobs application form
CV (the unit website invites CVs ahead of applications)
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
What this program offers
A long-established, integrated orthopaedic–neurosurgical spine fellowship programme with interface, national, advanced, trust and international posts. It covers the full range of adult and paediatric spinal surgery and includes a protected research component.
BENEFITS & SUPPORT
Published benefits and support
Supported to attend national and international meetings and educational events. Weekly MDT and monthly departmental education meetings. Full-time, part-time and job-share applicants are considered.
HOST INSTITUTION
About Leeds Spinal Unit, Leeds General Infirmary (Leeds Teaching Hospitals)
Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust runs a regional spinal unit at Leeds General Infirmary serving more than 2.5 million people. It receives more than 100 new referrals a week and supports the regional Major Trauma Centre.
