Post-Doctoral Opportunities

Royal Society University Research Fellowships and STFC Advanced Fellowships 2012

The Theoretical Astrophysics Group invites statements of interest from candidates wishing to be considered for  Royal Society University Research Fellowships or  STFC Ernest Rutherford Fellowships to be held in the Dept. of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Leicester. We are willing to consider support for research in any area related to the interests of the group. Our group has a strong record of success in these competitions and has currently hosts one Royal Society University Research Fellow, and one STFC Advanced Fellow.

Details of the relevant deadlines for applications are given below.

Informal enquiries regarding these fellowships should be made as soon as possible, and no later than the stated deadlines, to ensure full consideration. Any enquiries should be directed to Prof. Andrew King (email: ark@le.ac.uk, Tel: 0116-2522072).

Your initial statement of interest should include a CV, publications list and an outline of your research proposal. If your application receives group support, we will be available to assist with the finalisation of your research proposal and preparation of the financial plan for the application.

Royal Society University Research Fellowships

The University Research Fellowships scheme aims to provide outstanding scientists, who should have the potential to become leaders in their chosen field, with the opportunity to build an independent research career. Those appointed are expected to be strong candidates for permanent posts in universities at the end of their fellowships.

Applicants must have a PhD or equivalent research experience by the time they apply, applicants who have just submitted their PhD are not eligible. Applicants are expected to be at an early to mid-stage of their career. As an example, you could have had between one and three post doc positions.

Full applications must be submitted electronically via the e-gap system by the closing date.

Further details of the scheme including eligibility requirements and information on how to apply are available on the Royal Society Fellowships pages.

Deadlines for Royal Society Fellowship Applications:

18 August 2012: Initial statement of interest to Theoretical Astrophysics Group

31 August 2012: Notification of decision regarding TAG support of application

13 September 2012: Receipt of full application by the Royal Society

STFC Ernest Rutherford Fellowships

STFC offers 12 Ernest Rutherford Fellowships annually which provide up to five years funding to outstanding researchers at an early stage of their career. The aim is to support future scientific leaders to establish a strong, independent research programme. Successful candidates will have the opportunity to bid for Ernest Rutherford research funding in the form of a research grant. The 5-year fellowships are expected to lead to a permanent position.

Ernest Rutherford Fellowships are intended for researchers who do not have a permanent academic position but wish to pursue a long term research career. These Fellowships offer the opportunity to pursue new and diverse areas of research at a chosen UK institution. Applications are particularly welcome from those seeking to resume a research career following a period of absence (normally of at least two years) from active research (long term illness, family or caring responsibilities, moving from a non-academic employment sector).

Applicants must have a PhD and a minimum of five years’ research experience from the start of the postgraduate programme leading to the award of a PhD and 1 September 2011, with normally a minimum of two years postdoctoral experience. Applicants should have proved their ability as an individual and independent researcher. For more information, see the STFC Fellowships page

Candidates can only apply on behalf of one UK institution, and need to first apply to the proposed host to get their support, before applying to STFC. Each prospective host may only support a limited a number of applicants.

Further information on the STFC 2012 Fellowship scheme is available on the STFC website. Note that applicants may apply to only one Institution.

Deadlines for STFC Fellowship Applications:

31 August 2012: Initial statement of interest to Theoretical Astrophysics Group

14 September 2012: Notification of decision regarding TAG support of application

27 September 2012 (4pm): Receipt of full fellowship application at the STFC

Group Post-Doctoral Positions

There are currently no Post-doctoral positions available within the group.

Positions within the group are advertised on jobs.ac.uk and on the AAS Job Register .