Research fellowships
Learn more about available research fellowships and how to apply.
We welcome candidates interested in applying for research fellowships at Sussex. Our scientific research interests are tightly focused on the extra-galactic:
- cosmology and early universe
- structure formation
- clusters
- galaxy formation and evolution.
We address questions with theoretical, numerical and observational techniques.
Contacting us
For all fellowships it is essential you contact a member of the Astronomy Centre faculty with a connection to your proposed research as soon as possible. Fellowship applications require significant preparation from our research services team.
If you are also working on areas of interest to the Theoretical Particle Physics Group (TPP) then please contact them separately. You are welcome to apply to both groups.
We welcome applications from all qualified applicants, and we particularly encourage these from traditionally under-represented groups in science.
- Ernest Rutherford Fellowships
Call for Expressions of Interest: Ernest Rutherford Fellowship
The Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC), which funds the majority of particle physics and astronomy research in the UK, offers a prestigious 5-year research fellowship: the Ernest Rutherford Fellowship (ERF).
Each UK institution is permitted to support a limited number of applicants. At Sussex, we are allocated four slots across all STFC science areas. We are therefore inviting expressions of interest from researchers who wish to be considered for one of these slots.
How to Apply
To be considered, please submit the following documents:
- the STFC ERF Expression of Interest Form [PDF 182.48KB]
- A a narrative CV in the Résumé for Research and Innovation (R4RI) format
- a research proposal (maximum 3 pages), ideally structured using STFC’s required format, with clearly defined vision and approach sections.
Please send your application to Professor Robert Smith R.E.Smith@sussex.ac.uk by 15th July.
If you wish to be considered by more than one research group, please send your application to all relevant contacts, as shortlisting will be carried out independently by each group.
Next Steps
Shortlisted candidates will be notified in late July and assigned a mentor to help develop their full application for submission to STFC in early September. The Sussex faculty includes several current and former members of STFC ERF selection panels, who will be available to provide detailed feedback and conduct mock interviews for candidates invited to the STFC panel.
- Royal Society University Research Fellowships
Royal Society University Research Fellowships are five-year fellowships (renewable for up to ten years in total) open to citizens of all nationalities. The Royal Society deadline is early September.
If interested in applying, please contact an Astronomy Centre staff member with a connection to the proposed research, ideally no later than 30th June. Alternatively, if also applying for an Ernest Rutherford Fellowship, please follow the instructions above and indicate that you would also like to apply for a Royal Society University Research Fellowship with us.
- Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions
The Marie Skłodowska-Curie scheme includes Individual Fellowships intended to add significantly to the development of the best and most-promising researchers active in Europe. These are for trans-national researchers, including researchers coming to Europe and those moving within Europe. The deadline for the next round of Individual Fellowships has not yet been announced, but we expect it to be in September.
If interested in applying, please contact an Astronomy Centre staff member with a connection to the proposed research.
View other Marie Skłodowska-Curie actions.
- Stephen Hawking Fellowships
The UKRI Stephen Hawking Fellowships (SHF), delivered jointly by EPSRC and STFC, will support and develop the next generation of excellent scientists in theoretical physics at the beginning of their career. Theoretical physics is defined quite broadly, so please look at the website if interested. This is a more junior level position than the STFC ERF and you can not simultaneously apply to both in the same round. The SHF also requires a strong commitment to outreach and public engagement. The deadline for application is anticipated to be due in November.
- Royal Astronomical Society Fellowships
RAS postdoctoral Fellowships provide support for up to 3 years for early career research astronomers and geophysicists. Applications are restricted to candidates who have a recognized PhD (or equivalent) obtained no more than 5 years before the start of their position or who have taken their viva before the application deadline and expect to be awarded the PhD by the time of appointment. These are offered on a 3-year cycle.
- Future Leaders Fellowships
Future Leaders Fellowships will grow the strong supply of talented individuals needed to ensure a vibrant environment for research and innovation in the UK. The scheme is open to researchers and innovators from across business, universities, and other organisations.
- 1851 Research Fellowships
1851 Research Fellowships are three-year research fellowships open to scientists with less than three years postdoctoral experience and are funded by the Royal Commission for the Exhibition of 1851.
- Royal Society Dorothy Hodgkin Fellowships
Royal Society Dorothy Hodgkin Fellowships offer a recognised first step into an independent research career for outstanding scientists and engineers at an early stage of their research career who require a flexible working pattern due to personal circumstances, such as parenting or caring responsibilities or health issues. The Royal Society deadline for applications is in November but applications will need to be started well before this.
- Daphne Jackson Fellowships
Daphne Jackson Fellowships offer STEM professionals the opportunity to return to a research career after a break of two or more years for a family, health or caring reason. It is the opportunity to balance a personalised retraining programme with a challenging research project, held in a supportive UK university or research establishment. It is possible to apply for a Daphne Jackson Fellowship at any time.