Postdoctoral positions
The Astronomy Centre at the University of Sussex welcomes candidates interested in applying for research fellowships to be held 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 a full combination of theoretical, numerical and observational techniques.
A variety of potential fellowships are available, including Royal Society University Research Fellowships, Ernest Rutherford Fellowships (STFC), Stephen Hawking Fellowships (UKRI), and Marie Curie (EU) fellowships.
Applications for all of these fellowships require significant preparation from our research services team and it is therefore essential you contact a member of the Astronomy Centre faculty with a connection to your proposed research as soon as possible.
If you are also working on areas of interest to the Theoretical Particle Physics Group (TPP) then please contact them separately. More details can be found on https://www.sussex.ac.uk/tpp/ . You are welcome to apply to both groups.
We welcome applications from all qualified applicants, but applications are particularly encouraged from traditionally under-represented groups in science.
Ernest Rutherford Fellowships
Ernest Rutherford Fellowships (ERFs) are five-year fellowships funded by the STFC, with a deadline in September. They are open to candidates of any nationality, but each institution is limited in the total number of applications it can support. Consequently, we will review candidates applications and make a decision by late July on which to support.
If interested in applying, please contact a member of the Astronomy Centre faculty with a connection to the proposed research no later than the end of June. Candidates should send an expression of interest to the Head of Astronomy - Dr Stephen Wilkins astro@sussex.ac.uk - and their faculty contact by mid July for full consideration. As the application has changed significantly recently we are happy to accept either a draft of the new style application or a research statement and narrative CV (i.e. the old style). Please also let us know whether you are interested in also being considered for the Royal Society University Research Fellowship (see below).
For further information, see http://www.stfc.ac.uk/funding/fellowships/ernest-rutherford-fellowship
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 min July. 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.
For further information see https://royalsociety.org/grants-schemes-awards/grants/university-research/
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.
For more information on the current round of Individual Fellowships, please see here https://ec.europa.eu/research/mariecurieactions/actions/individual-fellowships_en
For more details on other Marie Skłodowska-Curie actions please see here
http://ec.europa.eu/research/mariecurieactions/
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.
If interested in applying, please contact an Astronomy Centre staff member with a connection to the proposed research.
Please follow the link for further information – https://www.ukri.org/funding/funding-opportunities/stephen-hawking-fellowships/
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.
If interested in applying, please contact an Astronomy Centre staff member with a connection to the proposed research.
For further information see https://www.ras.org.uk/awards-and-grants/fellowships
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.
If interested in applying, please contact an Astronomy Centre staff member with a connection to the proposed research.
https://www.ukri.org/funding/funding-opportunities/future-leaders-fellowships/
1851 Research Fellowships
1851 Research Fellowships are 3-year research fellowships open to scientists with less than 3 years postdoctoral experience and are funded by the Royal Commission for the Exhibition of 1851.
If interested in applying, please contact an Astronomy Centre staff member with a connection to the proposed research.
For further information see https://royalcommission1851.org/fellowships/research-fellowships
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.
If interested in applying, please contact an Astronomy Centre staff member with a connection to the proposed research.
For further information see https://royalsociety.org/grants-schemes-awards/grants/dorothy-hodgkin-fellowship/
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.
If interested in applying, please contact an Astronomy Centre staff member with a connection to the proposed research.
For more information, please see here https://daphnejackson.org/about-fellowships/