The University Research Fellowship scheme is for outstanding scientists who are in the early stages of their research career and have the potential to become leaders in their field. This fellowship provides the opportunity to build an independent research career. Moreover, research must be within the Royal Society’s remit of natural sciences, which includes but is not limited to biological research, chemistry, engineering, mathematics and physics.

Eligibility 

• have a PhD (note we will not consider applicants who have just submitted their PhD)
• are in the early stages of your research career and have between three to eight years of research experience since your PhD by the closing date of the round. The three to eight years do not include any career breaks, refer to the scheme notes for further detail.
• do not hold a permanent post in a university or not for profit research organisation
• do not hold or previously have held a fellowship that provides an opportunity to establish an independent research group and therefore independent researcher status, i.e. that allows the applicant to submit research grants as a PI or be registered as the primary supervisor of a PhD student.

Flexibility

The Society’s fellowships are highly flexible for example part-time working requests can be considered for personal reasons such as ill-health or caring responsibilities. Sabbaticals and secondments can be accommodated too. There is also provision for maternity, paternity, adoptive or extended sick leave.

When applying, the Society will consider time spent outside the research environment when assessing eligibility. Additionally, where applicants have taken formal periods of maternity, paternity, and adoptive leave as the primary carer (either the mother, father, partner or adopter), or extended sick leave, the Society will allow the actual time of leave taken, as well as an additional six months for each period of leave when assessing eligibility.

Benefits

University Research Fellows have the opportunity to access a range of training programmes covering topics including leadership, science communication and public engagement. Furthermore, opportunities arise throughout the year for University Research Fellows to participate in activities coordinated by the science policy, public engagement, schools outreach and industry engagement teams at the Society. Moreover, university Research Fellows are able to receive financial support for childcare costs to support attending conferences and collaborative research visits.

Official Link