Creating jobs
6 March 2013
The University's world-leading medical research has helped created 500 new full-time posts and brought some £220M of external funding into the Welsh economy, an audit has uncovered.
Examining the employment and research income generated at the School of Medicine, the audit found some 240 research posts and 260 research training roles have been created as a direct result of successfully attracting competitive research funding.
"Many people don't realise the benefits that academic research bring to the local economy by attracting and supporting a highly skilled workforce," according to Professor Julie Williams, Deputy Dean of Research, School of Medicine.
"In an attempt to get a true picture we undertook an audit and uncovered a significant contribution in terms of money brought into Wales and the jobs it creates. It's especially pleasing when you consider that we operate in an increasingly competitive environment with less than 1 in 5 grants actually receiving funding.
"Cardiff researchers have to constantly raise their game to prove their projects can compete with those from similar academic institutes around the UK and worldwide," she added.
The School of Medicine has attracted more than £220M in research grants over the last five years creating research posts, which offer ambitious graduates attractive career opportunities.
Many of these go on to achieve full-time academic roles as lecturers and professors within university research environments.
The money has been secured from research funding bodies such as the UK Medical Research Council, charities such as the Wellcome Trust, the European Union and the Welsh Government. The funding grants are secured by the School of Medicine's 220 lead scientists who generate the ideas for the research experiments.
Professor Michael Owen, Dean of Research at the School of Medicine added:
"The scale and standard of the body of research represents a massive opportunity for long term recruitment into high level academic posts.
"Young men and women from Wales who are now choosing their future careers can see that scientific research at the highest level is an option they should consider."
Some of the research currently being carried out in Cardiff focuses on understanding the causes of diseases which affect the immune system, psychiatric disorders, dementia and cancer and also on testing new therapies for a broad range of common and rare diseases.
Dean of the School of Medicine, Professor Paul Morgan, said: "People will be surprised at the sheer volume of full-time research posts which are attached to the research being carried out in Cardiff.
"These are high grade research roles which offer great opportunities for ambitious graduates from Wales and beyond who want to follow academic careers.
"The School of Medicine has a reputation for excellence in research. The number of jobs represents a significant impact on the wider economy of South East Wales."
Cardiff University's Vice-Chancellor, Professor Colin Riordan said: "We are justifiably proud of the huge volume of top-quality scientific research being carried out across Cardiff University, and the School of Medicine has an excellent track record.
"The work of Professor Williams is helping to change the face of medicine so that people all over the world will benefit. I have no doubt that Wales can achieve even more recognition in the years ahead as a nation which delivers academic excellence in areas which are crucial to today's society, create jobs and support the Welsh economy."