It’s much harder these days to go straight into a lectureship after finishing a PhD.
It’s becoming much more common to have a period of post-doctoral research to get more experience and publications before getting an academic job.
So what are the options if you want to stay in academia?
Three main areas:
1. Fellowships
2. Named Research Assistant
3. Other Opportunities
How do I find out more?
1. FELLOWSHIPS
The basics: You apply in your own name Project remit decided by you but must move
beyond PhD Variable length (few months – 3 years) Limited numbers Prestigious and hard to get Often known as Early Career/Junior fellowships I can provide examples of previously successful
bids
FELLOWSHIPS (1)
FELLOWSHIPS (2)
Leverhulme Trust:
Early Career Fellowships 3 years’ salary plus research expenses (up to £6000 p.a.)
50% funding from University/College
Application deadline March – call announced Dec/Jan
Must have completed PhD
70 awards from 400-500 applications
All subjects eligible
http://www.leverhulme.ac.uk/funding/ECF/ECF.cfm
FELLOWSHIPS (3)
British Academy: Postdoctoral Fellowships
Three years’ salary plus research expenses
Outline submissions in October; full submission March
Must be within 3 years of completion of PhD
Must have completed PhD by 1st April in year would start
Around 45 awarded each year; announced May to start Autumn.
Humanities and Social Science subjects eligible
http://www.britac.ac.uk/funding/guide/pdfells.cfm
FELLOWSHIPS (4)
Wellcome Trust: Research Fellowships Medical History and Humanities & Ethics & Society Broadly interpreted could cover (e.g.) social history, sociology of health Up to 3 years salary plus research expenses Need a mentor in host department Strong preference for applicants with a good prospect of achieving an academic career in subject Two application dates each year (1st Aug and 1st Feb); preliminary applications at least 6 weeks before http://www.wellcome.ac.uk/Funding/Medical-history-and-humanities/Funding-schemes/Fellowships/WTD003793.htm
FELLOWSHIPS (5)
ESRC Future Leaders Scheme
Aims to enable outstanding early career social scientists to develop the skills to become future world leaders in their field fund excellent social science research projects with high potential impact
Annual call – announced in June Less than 4 years’ post-doctoral experience Nomination by host institution: UoL internal competition 70+ awards each year http://www.esrc.ac.uk/funding-and-guidance/funding-opportunities/15938/future-research-leaders.aspx
FELLOWSHIPS (6)
AHRC Fellowships – Early Career Route
Salary plus research expenses for 6-24 months Designed to build the capacity of the leaders of the future and equip individuals to be future leaders Must result in significant research and outputs At least 2 years’ post-doctoral experience and up to 8 Requires nominated mentor at host institution and support from department Also requires a contract beyond the end of the fellowship Open call - apply any time to start circa 9 months laterhttp://www.ahrc.ac.uk/Funding-Opportunities/Pages/Fellowships---Early-Career-Researchers.aspx
FELLOWSHIPS (7)
Miscellaneous sources
A variety of organisations (e.g. Cambridge colleges, learned societies), UK and overseas
Usually for 6 – 12 months
Remits vary from specific topics to broad subjects
Advertised in a number of places
Help on where to find them later
2. NAMED RESEARCH ASSISTANT
NAMED RESEARCH ASSISTANT (1)
Different to Fellowships: Work with a particular academic to develop project
You are named on application as research assistant
Can last from 1 – 5 years
Expected to do research in application rather thanyour own work
Success rate varies
Application must fit funding body remit
NAMED RESEARCH ASSISTANT (2)
Possible sources include: AHRC Research Grants Scheme
ESRC Research Grants Scheme
Leverhulme Trust Research Programmes and Research Project Grants
Heritage Lottery fund and other lottery related funds
Wellcome Trust
European Union funding
Other charities and various learned bodies
3. OTHER OPPORTUNITIES
OTHER OPPORTUNITIES
Not everyone knows who they want to appoint on a research grant and will need to advertise.
Temporary lectureships can be a good way into academia although they can be hard work.
Miscellaneous other opportunities are out there, you just need to keep checking
Opportunities are advertised in the press and on the web.
At Leicester, you will find them on the website
4. HOW DO I FIND OUT?
FINDING OUT
Two main types of websites:
Job opportunities websites
Funding opportunities websites
There is also funding available for travel etc while you are studying.
Job Opportunities http://www.jobs.ac.uk/
http://www.findapostdoc.com/
Let’s have a quick demonstration
FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES
http://www.researchprofessional.com/
http://www.ukro.ac.uk/Pages/UKRO.aspx
Details on how to use these sites are in the handout
Thank you.
Any Questions?
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