Research Fellowship
The Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) scheme is designed to attract the most talented researchers in Europe and beyond, and build international networks of scholars with a common passion for the deepest theoretical questions and most pressing practical problems facing humanity.
The JRF scheme is aimed at researchers with significant post-doctoral experience, but recent doctorands of exceptional ability and researchers who have followed non-traditional academic career paths (such as in public corporations, NGOs or industry) are also encouraged to apply. JRFs will pursue new research ideas of their own design, undertaken in collaboration with academic researchers at Durham University.
Applicants are encouraged to take advantage of the diverse spectrum of opportunities offered by the Institutes at Durham, which span the Sciences, Social Sciences and Humanities, and link their proposals to research programmes of the Institutes and their constituent research centres. These Institutes are listed below. Applicants may, however, submit a research proposal that is independent of the Institutes or the Durham Business School, provided that they have a coherent and cogent reason why this research should be conducted in Durham: such 'free-standing' Junior Fellows will be affiliated to the Institute of Advanced Study.
- Biophysical Sciences Institute (BSI)
- Durham University Business School (DUBS)
- Durham Energy Institute (DEI)
- Durham Global Security Institute (DGSI)
- Institute of Advanced Study (IAS)
- Institute of Advanced Research Computing (iARC)
- Institute of Computational Cosmology (ICC)
- Institute of Hazard, Risk and Resilience (IHRR)
- Institute of Medieval and Early Modern Studies (IMEMS)
- Institute of Particle Physics Phenomenology (IPPP)
- Wolfson Research Institute (WRI)
Applications are also welcome from individuals wishing to collaborate on a research project associated with other research groups or Research Centres at Durham University
To be eligible, in line with the terms of funding set by Marie Curie, "researchers must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc) in the country of their host organisation for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately prior to the reference date. Compulsory national service and/or short stays such as holidays are not taken into account". The reference date is 1 July 201
There are no nationality restrictions, but the award of a Fellowship will be conditional on a visa and work permit being secured, if required, from the UK Border Agency.
A member of the Durham academic staff will act as host and Mentor for each Fellow. Before applying, applicants MUST seek the agreement of a Durham academic to act as their host. The host will help them to refine their research proposal and ensure that the appropriate facilities for the conduct of the research project are available in the University. The host is required to complete a proforma (below), which is a required part of the application documentation. For advice on finding hosts, please visit our Finding an Academic Host page.
Additional Application Guidance
This page aims to:
- Augment the Further Particulars that set out the full documentation required and the selection procedures.
- Reduce the amount of superfluous information and documents uploaded by applicants.
CV / Résumé
We are committed to eliminating discrimination and promoting policies to tackle bias (both conscious and unconscious). It is NOT necessary to include the following on your CV:
- Date of Birth
- Photo
- Marital Status
- Gender
- Sexual Orientation
- Religion
- Political Affiliation
Applications will be scored against the criteria in the Further Particulars irrespective of their age, appearance, marital status, gender, race, religion or beliefs, disability, or sexual orientation. Keeping such information off your CV will help us to achieve this aim.
Research Proposal
This should be a statement of 500-1000 words detailing the planned programme of work whilst holding a Junior Research Fellowship at a level that will allow an expert assessor to judge the quality, originality and ambition of the proposed research. This scheme is open to applicants from all disciplines therefore it would not be appropriate to make a one-size-fits-all recommendation of how this should be done. Applicants would, however, do well to consider whether their proposal has shown both the content of the project (ie the work) and the phases of the research (e.g. the planning) and if known the expected outputs. It should include a concise title of what you propose to research.
Should the proposal include references and a bibliography? It is probably in an applicant’s interest to show an element of context in what they are proposing to research. We often get asked whether bibliographies / references should be included in the word count. The answer is if done correctly no, but we are aware of the trick of using references and bibliographies to make a point while avoiding a word count. A clearly marked selected bibliography at the end of the proposal would be considered acceptable. A multi-page bibliography including every work ever published on the research area proposed or many additional footnotes: probably not. Selection panel members have to read many applications, applicants that do not bare this in mind and who push beyond the upper limits do themselves no favours.
Uploading Files
We recommend that:
- The required documents are uploaded as separate documents rather than one long super-document.
- Files are given appropriate and distinctive names, such as: ‘Cover Letter – APPLICANT SURNAME.doc’ or ‘CV – APPLICANT SURNAME.pdf’
Other information
Despite not requesting them, in previous rounds we have received a panoply of: Posters, Sample Writings (including a 300 page book pdf), Teaching Portfolios, Certificate for ranking 3rd in Information Technology department in 4th year study of Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech) etc. Please submit the documents that we request and stand out for the right reasons.
Application materials will need to be submitted through the Durham University online application system . The deadline for applications is Friday 02 December 2016 (at midnight).
We are fully committed to eliminating discrimination and actively promoting equality of opportunity for our staff and students in line with our University Strategy. For more information please visit our Diversity and Equality page.
For more information click "Further official information" below.
This opportunity has expired. It was originally published here:
https://www.dur.ac.uk/ias/diferens/junior/