STFC Ernest Rutherford fellowships

This funding opportunity is open to early career researchers wishing to carry out independent research. Through this scheme, STFC invests in researchers seeking to conduct their own research within the remit of the STFC core science programme.

CandidatesЬ§mustЬ§demonstrateЬ§that, if awarded an Ernest Rutherford Fellowship,Ь§theyЬ§will be working independently of senior colleagues with whomЬ§theyЬ§might have previously collaborated or with whomЬ§theyЬ§might currently be working in a supporting role. Assessors must be convinced that research questionsЬ§have been devised independently.Ь§

The 91ЕМКН is limited by the funder to only submitting one candidate for this opportunity and therefore it runs an internal sift process.

IndividualsЬ§can put themselves forward for these opportunities:Ь§theyЬ§should notЬ§wait to be asked,Ь§butЬ§we recommendЬ§they discuss their intentionsЬ§with their line manager, and mentorЬ§too, ifЬ§they have one. ItЬ§alsoЬ§might be helpfulЬ§forЬ§potential candidatesЬ§to haveЬ§an initialЬ§discussion withЬ§their Research Development Manager (RDM) in the first instance. RDMsЬ§canЬ§provide advice on whetherЬ§thisЬ§is the right opportunity at the right time, or ifЬ§candidatesЬ§need to strengthenЬ§aspects of their application,Ь§e.g. theirЬ§track recordЬ§orЬ§Capability to Deliver.

Recognising that aЬ§fellowship application is a significant undertaking, RDMs would also welcomeЬ§contact fromЬ§candidates who are at an earlier stage of their thinking, and who are considering a proposal in 2027.Ь§

There areЬ§manyЬ§fellowships schemesЬ§withЬ§varyingЬ§eligibility requirements,Ь§encompassing a range ofЬ§levels of experience.Ь§Additionally, there areЬ§many different career pathsЬ§within research,Ь§and a fellowship may not be the right choice for everyone.Ь§RDMsЬ§can discussЬ§allЬ§theЬ§optionsЬ§available.Ь§

We recommend that line managers discuss these opportunities with their research group to encourage ECRs to considerЬ§submittingЬ§an Expression of Interest (EoI).Ь§

Timeline:Ь§ Interested applicants are asked to email fellowships@reading.ac.ukЬ§as soon as possible so that we can register your interestЬ§and direct you to the RDM who can advise andЬ§support you through theЬ§fellowshipsЬ§application process. Potential candidates must submit an Expression of InterestЬ§by 24 JuneЬ§2026 (NB this has been extended from 06 May), for assessment and selection prior to the funder deadline in September 2026.

If you are interested in applying to hold a Fellowship at the 91ЕМКН, please do get in touch via fellowships@reading.ac.uk.