Fellowship Opportunities in the Department of Physics & Astronomy
Fellowship Opportunities 12 May 2023
The Department of Physics and Astronomy invites expressions of interest from potential applicants for both the STFC Ernest Rutherford Fellowships (ERF) and Royal Society University Research Fellowships (URF).
Both Manchester-based and external candidates are encouraged to consider applying; the department currently has 14 fellowship holders on these schemes and a strong track record of supporting applicants. We particularly encourage eligible candidates who are likely to be underrepresented in the department.
Information on the ERF and URF can be found at the STFC and Royal Society websites below. Note that schemes have not officially opened yet, but you can refer to last year’s material for general guidance.
https://stfc.ukri.org/funding/fellowships/ernest-rutherford-fellowship/
https://royalsociety.org/grants-schemes-awards/grants/university-research/
Applicants should initially make contact with the following senior staff members as appropriate for your research proposal. Note that the ERF research areas are aligned with ERF sub-panels:
Research Group | Contact | ERF/URF | |
Accelerator Physics | Roger Jones | roger.jones@manchester.ac.uk | ERF and/or URF |
Astronomy – Extragalactic | Richard Battye | richard.battye@manchester.ac.uk | ERF and/or URF |
Astronomy – Near Universe | Richard Battye | richard.battye@manchester.ac.uk | ERF and/or URF |
Astronomy – Exoplanets/Solar | Richard Battye | richard.battye@manchester.ac.uk | ERF and/or URF |
Nuclear Physics | Kieran Flanagan | kieran.flanagan-2@manchester.ac.uk | ERF and/or URF |
Particle – Astrophysics/Cosmology* | Andrew Pilkington (Particle) or Richard Battye (Astrophysics) | Andrew.pilkington@manchester.ac.uk Richard.battye@manchester.ac.uk | ERF and/or URF |
Particle – Experiment | Andrew Pilkington | Andrew.pilkington@manchester.ac.uk | ERF and/or URF |
Particle – Theory | Jeffrey Forshaw | Jeffrey.forshaw@manchester.ac.uk | ERF and/or URF |
Soft Matter | Anne Juel | Anne.juel@manchester.ac.uk | URF Only |
Theory (excluding particle) | Ahsan Nazir | Ahsan.nazir@manchester.ac.uk | URF Only |
Biophysics | Jian Lu | Jian.lu@manchester.ac.uk | URF Only |
Condensed Matter | Andrei Golov | Andrei.golov@manchester.ac.uk | URF Only |
Photon Physics | Mark Dickinson | Mark.dickinson@manchester.ac.uk | URF Only |
*This ERF subpanel potentially spans multiple academic groups. Applicants should contact their most relevant group.
Expressions of interest for both schemes should include:
- Scheme to be considered for (either ERF, URF or both). Most relevant sub-panel (for ERF).
- A CV (ERF applicants may wish to use the STFC narrative CV template, but this is not compulsory).
- List of Publications (identify top 5; identify and justify papers with a significant contribution if part of large collaborations).
- Outline research proposal (maximum 2 sides).
For the Ernest Rutherford Fellowship the departmental panel will use the following criteria to assess your expression of interest:
- The excellence of the research achievements of the applicant.
- The potential of the individual to lead their research discipline.
- The capability to maximise the potential of others and the ability to be, or become, a clear communicator and disseminator of knowledge.
- The excellence, timeliness, feasibility, distinctive vision and importance of the proposed research.
- Strategic value within the STFC programme.
For the Royal Society URF the departmental panel will use the following criteria to assess your expression of interest:
- The scientific track record of the applicant commensurate with research experience: past achievements, research career to date, publication record, likely contribution to research field, future potential to become a research leader.
- The scientific merit, originality, significance and quality of proposed research project and likelihood of achieving goals.
- The suitability of host institution.
Deadline for consideration: 12 noon on Friday 7th July 2023
Expected date for offers to support: 24th July 2023
If you are selected as one of the Manchester-supported candidates we will work with you to prepare the full application.
Expressions should be submitted to Frank McGrory, or Alex Sinton (Research Support Managers) and copied to the appropriate member of academic staff listed in the above table.
If you have any queries about the process, please contact Patrick Parkinson, Department Head of Research, or the Research Support Managers – Frank McGrory or Alex Sinton.
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