Research Fellowship Opportunities

Are you looking for a fulfilling career in research, that will also make a contribution to the educational purpose of the University? Are you looking for an academic position that we expect will become permanent?

We are investing £10m in bringing 40 talented and inspirational researchers to the University of Surrey, creating a network of future world leaders in their areas of research. Do you want to be part of this hugely exciting programme? 

About the Programme

When you join the Surrey Future Fellowship programme, you’ll join a cohort of researchers who will grow, discover, and collaborate together as you experience a comprehensive programme of training, mentorship and peer-to-peer support alongside your research. Through a supportive community, world-class facilities, and flourishing industry partnerships, you’ll become part of an academic ecosystem that will accelerate your career so that you become a future leader in your chosen field.

You won’t have to compromise on your research career to transform your career potential – our fellowships come with a pathway on to permanent academic teaching and research careers at the University of Surrey. This means you can start with a focus on research while building your long-term future here, with confidence.  

What Research Opportunities are Available?

At the University of Surrey, our research impact comes from the depth we have in established disciplines, while increasingly adding strength in new and exciting areas through inter-disciplinary collaborations. We want our Surrey Future Fellows to help us to further build this culture of collaboration both internally and with external partners, so that we can make important contributions to society.

Examples of our key strategic research areas are below. Opportunities are not limited to these areas, and we welcome proposals in other research areas. 

• Gender, Identity and Sexualities
• Infection and Immunity
• Integrated Sustainable Infrastructure
• Living and Working in the Digital Age
• Nature-Inspired Solutions
• Nutrition, Food Security and the Water-Energy-Food Nexus
• Putting People at the Heart of Artificial Intelligence
• Quantum Technologies
• Resilience in Engineering
• Rights and Responsibilities
• Societal change for Sustainable Living
• Space and Communications Technology
• Understanding and Changing Behaviour
• Whole Systems Approaches

Further information about our key strategic areas can be found here

About You

This opportunity could transform your research career prospects if you have…

• Achieved your PhD within the last seven years or will shortly be awarded your PhD.
• Created original, inspirational, and realistic research proposals.
• Motivated, led and inspired self and others to achieve their best.
• An interest in managing and delivering every aspect of a research programme.
• Already achieved high quality research outcomes including a track record in, or demonstrated the potential for, gaining funding support for your research.
• A growing reputation both within and outside of your current institution for research innovation and collaboration.

You’ll be eligible if you are an early career researcher who has either achieved your PhD within the last seven years or will shortly be awarded your PhD, if more than seven years have elapsed, due to circumstances that have limited your progression, we’ll be happy to consider your application. If you are at a more advanced stage in your research career, appointments to the level of Senior Future Fellow will be made. We are very interested in hearing from researchers who are already at the level of senior researcher at their own institution. Further details can be found on our website.

For those applying from overseas, if you are successful in your Fellowship application, then the University will act as sponsor for a visa application. Continuation on the scheme, and into any permanent position after the programme, are dependent on successful completion and the ongoing right to be in the UK.

We welcome applications from those wishing to work flexibly to meet personal responsibilities.

In return, the Fellowship will bring you… 

• Up to £51,805 salary per annum*
• Comprehensive training, mentorship, and peer-to-peer support
• Generous research start-up package
• Permanent career path (following initial 3-yr fixed-term contract)
• Full University of Surrey benefits that include flexible working, parental leave, on-site childcare, discounts and sports and leisure membership.

How to apply

Complete our online application form, attach your CV (maximum two pages of A4 and up to 1000 words in total), your research proposal (maximum two pages of A4 and up to 1000 words in total) and, if you wish, you may include up to two letters of support.

Closing date : Midnight on 18th November 2022

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

We are particularly interested in supporting those from under-represented groups such as people from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds through the Surrey Future Fellowship programme. Surrey Future Fellows will have many active and supportive equality networks available to them that provide peer support, social opportunities, and advocacy. See our EDI webpages for more information. 

Our range of awards and schemes seen below reflect our commitment to supporting equity in academia, across all areas of equality, race and ethnicity, gender and LGBTQI+, faith and belief, neurodiversity and more.

For further information on Surrey Future Fellowships, please visit our webpage or contact University of Surrey today.