Independent Research Fellowships
The School of Biological Sciences is seeking highly motivated individuals to join us as Independent Research Fellows. We recognise the importance of this step in the career of a young researcher and are keen to assist outstanding individuals with their applications, their integration into the School and their development.
Your School
- Research. Our research is intellectually integrative and covers a broad range of biological disciplines. Members of the School study diverse species (microbes, plants and animals) at all levels (genes and genomes, cells and whole organisms, species and ecosystems), providing an ideal framework for new Fellows in a variety of fields.
- Collaboration. Within the School there are numerous collaborative projects between the different disciplines. Moreover, we have strong research links with other world-leading groups in the University (e.g. Biochemistry, Computer Science, Earth Sciences, Experimental Psychology, Geography, Mathematics, Physics) and with over 100 other Universities worldwide. New Fellows are actively encouraged to take advantage of these extensive links and forge new collaborations.
- Facilities. In 2014 we are due to move into a new building. This has been designed to provide state-of-the-art research laboratories and facilities for maintaining organisms under controlled conditions, and to promote close scientific interaction and discussion.
Your Application
- Writing. As with thesis chapters and journal papers, writing your first fellowship application can be daunting. Members of the School with a range of experience (e.g. successful applications, membership of research council selection panels) are happy to discuss your ideas in detail, and to provide advice and feedback at the draft stage.
- Independence. An important, but often overlooked, aspect of the application is how you will fit in to your new department. We will discuss with you possible collaborative opportunities with existing staff and how you will develop your own independent research group.
- Interview. Early-career researchers often have little experience of interviews, which can make all the difference between success and failure. To enhance your chances, we will organise a mock interview and provide extensive feedback to help refine your performance.
Your Development
- Mentor. Each Fellow is assigned a mentor from the senior staff who will assist with integration into the School, research development (including publishing and grant applications) and achievement of the right balance between research and other activities.
- Teaching. Although the focus of a Fellowship should be research, opportunities to teach at both undergraduate and postgraduate level are available for interested individuals. Moreover, Fellows can take advantage of the University-run Teaching and Learning programme, which provides invaluable training for future lecturers.
- Skills. Fellows are encouraged to participate in the renowned career and skill support and training programme run by the University and targeted at research staff. The School itself has a project fund specifically to aid incoming research staff in novel ventures.
Your Future
- Progress. An annual review with your mentor will allow you to assess future options, identify training needs and capitalise on opportunities.
- Progression. We aim to prepare all our Fellows for the next stage of their career. Junior Fellows (e.g. postdoctoral NERC, Marie Curie, Royal Society Dorothy Hodgkin) will be assisted in their applications for more senior Fellowships. Senior Fellows (advanced NERC, BBSRC David Phillips, Royal Society URF) will have the opportunity of an interview for a permanent position at least one year before the end of their Fellowship.
If you are interested in applying for a Fellowship to be based in the School of Biological Sciences, or would like to move here on an existing Fellowship, please contact the Chair of the Research Committee, Prof. Simon Hiscock to arrange a visit.