Join us
We welcome enquiries from talented researchers and prospective students at all career stages. Explore the options below, and feel free to contact us to discuss research ideas and funding routes.
The Petrology Group offers a supportive, collaborative environment with exceptional experimental and analytical facilities and a friendly team of permanent academic staff, fellows, postdoctoral researchers (PDRAs), PhD students and technical staff. Members of the group have extensive expertise in experimental petrology, atomistic computer simulations, computational geodynamics and thermodynamic modelling. The School of Earth Sciences also hosts world-renowned groups in geophysics and isotope geochemistry, as well as a vibrant volcanology group, with whom we have strong collaborative links. We are always happy to discuss research ideas, funding opportunities and how we might work together.
Research fellowships
Independent fellowships are an excellent route into the group, offering time and support to build an ambitious research programme. We welcome enquiries well in advance of funder deadlines so we can help you shape a competitive proposal, identify complementary expertise across the School of Earth Sciences more widely, and connect you with facilities and potential collaborators.
The table below summarises major fellowship schemes. Please consult funder websites for definitive eligibility rules and deadlines.
| Scheme | Career stage | Duration | Call timing | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NERC Independent Research Fellowship | Early independence | Up to 5 years | 25 Feb – 16 Jun 2026 | Strong host support required. Internal deadline: 6th March |
| UKRI Future Leaders Fellowship | Transition to independence | Varies | 2 Feb – 16 Jun 2026 | Researcher and innovator routes. |
| Royal Society University Research Fellowship | Early career | Up to 8 years | 14 Jul – 9 Sep 2026 | No permanent post required. |
| Royal Society Dorothy Hodgkin Fellowship | Flexible working need | Up to 8 years | 1 Sep – 28 Oct 2026 | Designed to support flexibility. |
| Newton International Fellowship | Non-UK postdoctoral researchers | 2 years | Typically Jan–Mar | Route for overseas researchers to the UK. |
| MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowship | Postdoctoral (mobility rules) | 1–2 years | Typically Apr–Sep | Strong training and career development focus. |
| ERC Starting Grant | Early-career PI | Up to 5 years | Typically summer–autumn | Supports first independent team. |
| ERC Consolidator Grant | Mid-career PI | Up to 5 years | Typically autumn–winter | Strengthens research independence. |
| ERC Advanced Grant | Established PI | Up to 5 years | Typically spring–summer | For research leaders. |
| Royal Commission for the Exhibition of 1851 | Early career | ~3 years | Typically Oct–Jan | Science and engineering focus. |
| NERC Knowledge Exchange Fellowship | Impact / knowledge exchange | Flexible | Calls vary | For NERC-funded researchers. |
Scheme details and deadlines can change. Please contact us early so we can advise on eligibility, internal processes and proposal development.
If you are interested in exploring a fellowship application with us, we would welcome an initial expression of interest comprising: your CV, a brief outline of your research interests and how they connect to the group (~200 words — we are not asking for a developed proposal at this stage), and which scheme or schemes you might be interested in. Please direct your enquiry to whichever member of the Petrology Group seems most relevant to your research area. We welcome enquiries from researchers of all backgrounds and nationalities.
Postdoctoral research positions (PDRAs)
Many of our research grants include funding for postdoctoral researchers. These posts are tied to specific projects and are advertised via the University’s jobs pages. Current opportunities will be listed here.
PhD studentships
PhD studentships in the School of Earth Sciences are offered through a range of doctoral training programmes and project-specific calls. We welcome applicants from Earth Sciences and the wider Physical Sciences. Prospective students with their own project ideas are encouraged to contact a member of the Petrology Group to discuss feasibility and funding routes.
Common funding routes include:
- NERC GW4+ Doctoral Landscape Training Partnership.
- University of Bristol Postgraduate Research Scholarships.
- STFC studentships for planetary science.
- China Scholarship Council (CSC) studentships.
- Other routes (project-funded studentships, industry sponsorship, charities, government sponsorship or self-funding).
Currently available PhD projects and studentships in the School of Earth Sciences can be found here.
MSc by Research (MScR)
We take on MSc by Research (MScR) students, usually aligned to an agreed project with a prospective supervisor. For programme information and application routes, see the University’s Earth Sciences research degrees pages.
Visiting professorships and international visitors
Established researchers interested in spending time in Bristol may wish to explore the University of Bristol’s Benjamin Meaker Annual Awards, which support year-long visits focused on collaborative research development.
We also welcome international visitors via other mechanisms, including the China Scholarship Council (CSC) and the University’s Research Development and International Collaboration Awards (RDICA). Please contact a member of the Petrology Group to discuss options.