Astronomy

Postdoctoral Fellowships

The Astronomy Section, covering the CEA, CfAI, and ICC, of the Physics Department welcomes applications from candidates interested in applying for personal fellowships at Durham University. We provide basic details and links for further information for some of the main fellowships below. The fellowship list is not exhaustive and interest from applicants for other fellowships are very welcome.

For all fellowship applications please identify a relevant member of academic staff to act as your host in the preparation of your fellowship application. If you are unsure of who to contact then please email one of the directors of the CEA, CfAI, and ICC or astro.secretary@durham.ac.uk:

We are committed to advancing equality and diversity and aim to ensure that our culture is inclusive. We welcome applications from everyone irrespective of gender, ethnic group, or nationality. Our systems also allow for flexible support and family-friendly working.

Fellowship summary;

Shorter duration (≤ 3 years):

1851 Research Fellowships
Feodor Lynen Research Fellowship
Leverhulme Early Career Fellowships
Marie Sklodowska-Curie Individual Fellowship
Newton International Fellowships
Royal Astronomical Society Fellowships
STFC Daphne Jackson Fellowships

Longer duration (>3 years):

Faraday Discovery Fellowship
Dorothy Hodgkin Fellowship
EPSRC Fellowships
Royal Society University Research Fellowships
Royal Society Career Development Fellowships
STFC Ernest Rutherford Fellowships
UKRI Future Leaders Fellowships
UKRI Stephen Hawking Fellowships

Fellowship basic information;

1851 Research Fellowships
DeadlineFellowship applications open from October each year
Eligibility and guidanceSee guidance. Early career scientists or engineers with (normally) no more than 3 years post PhD experience; must take position in different institution to PhD
Basic award information £6k/year travel and research expenses / 3 years either as employed or self employed
Dorothy Hodgkin Fellowship
Deadline1th November 2022
Eligibility and guidanceNeed for flexible support, PhD required, up to six years postdoctoral experience / any nationality
Basic award informationSee online: salary, research expenses, contribution to PhD student / 5 years
EPSRC Fellowships
DeadlineEarly May, end of Sept, end of Dec
Eligibility and guidancePhD required / any nationality (Tier 1 visa required)
Basic award informationSee guidance / 5 years
Feodor Lynen Research Fellowship
DeadlineApplications accepted at any time
Eligibility and guidanceSee details / up-to 12 years post PhD experience / must be hosted by former Humboldt fellow: Simone Scaringi
Basic award informationSalary depends on personal circumstances / 6-24 months
Leverhulme Early Career Fellowships
Deadlinetbc
Eligibility and guidanceMust have not held full-time permanent academic post in UK institution; no more than 4 years of post PhD experience.
Basic award information£6k/year travel and research / 3 years
Marie Sklodowska-Curie Individual Fellowship
Deadline14th September 2022
Eligibility and guidanceMust be moving from a different country / any nationality
Basic award informationSee online / 1-2 years
Newton International Fellowships
Deadline28th March 2023
Eligibility and guidancePhD required, up to seven years postdoctoral experience, must be residing outside the UK at least one year prior to the deadline, and not hold UK citizenship at time of application. More detailed guidance provided here.
Basic award informationsee guidance / 3 years
Royal Astronomical Society Fellowships
Deadlinetbc
Eligibility and guidancePhD required, up to 5 years postdoctoral experience / any nationality (Tier 1 visa required) / Durham University can only host one fellow at a time
Basic award informationSee guidance / 3 years
Royal Society University Research Fellowships
Deadline6th September 2022
Eligibility and guidance3-8 years post PhD / any nationality (Tier 1 visa required)
Basic award informationSee scheme notes / 5+3 years
STFC Daphne Jackson Fellowships
DeadlineNone
Eligibility and guidanceFlexible fellowship aimed at those returning to careers following a break; see online for more detailed information
Basic award informationPart-time for 2 years with additional third year at 50-100% FTE
STFC Ernest Rutherford Fellowships
Deadline 21st September 2023
Eligibility and guidanceSee stfc-ernest-rutherford-fellowship for full information/ any nationality (Tier 1 visa required).
There is a quota on the number of ERF applications that can be submitted from Durham each round. All ERF applications will need to be internally reviewed. We therefore require all applicants to submit a CV, using the STFC Narrative_CV_template (2022 version), a publication list, and a short (*strict* 1 page limit) research outline, including a brief additional paragraph (not counted within the 1 page limit) on why Durham and how the project connects to Durham. In addition, please identify (and contact) a member of staff to be your academic host to support you in the preparation of your application. Please ensure that the name of your academic host is included at the top of the research outline. This material should be submitted by 21st July to astro.secretary@durham.ac.uk, and copied to your academic host.
Basic award information£5k consumables + £2k per yr travel / 5 years
UKRI Future Leaders Fellowships
Deadline4th July 2023
Eligibility and guidanceSee guidance / any nationality (Tier 1 visa required).
There is a quota on the number of UKRI applications that can be submitted from Durham each round. All UKRI applications will need to be internally reviewed to select which applicants can apply. For specific details please contact a member of staff; see below for our contact details.
Basic award informationUp to £1.5M / 4-7 years
UKRI Stephen Hawking Fellowships
DeadlineOpen ended
Eligibility and guidanceThere is a quota on the number of UKRI applications that can be submitted from Durham each round. All UKRI applications will need to be internally reviewed to select which applicants can apply.
Basic award informationUp to £10K equipment / up to 4 years
Career Development Fellowship website
Deadline24th January 2024
Eligibility and guidance Early career researchers who have less than 2 years postdoc experience. Applicants can be from outside the UK.
Basic award information The fellowship offers 4 years support
Faraday Discovery Fellowship website
Deadline2nd October 2024
Eligibility and guidance Mid-career
Basic award information The fellowship offers 5 years support and up to 8M pounds

Contact Details

For all fellowship applications please identify a relevant member of academic staff to act as your host in the preparation of your application. If you are unsure of who to contact then please email one of the directors of the CEA, CfAI, and ICC (see above for details) or astro.secretary@durham.ac.uk.

Contact Details

Department of Physics,
Durham University,
South Road,
Durham DH1 3LE
 
Tel: 44 (0)191 3343635