The Wales DTP invites applications for up to seven ESRC-funded Postdoctoral Fellowships to commence in October 2023. The fellowships are aimed at those in the immediately postdoctoral stage of their career, to provide the opportunity to consolidate their PhD through developing publications, networks and their research and professional skills.
Have a look at the profiles of our current postdoctoral fellows.
The Fellowships last one year (or part-time equivalent) and come with a salary. They can contain some new research activity, but their primary purpose is the consolidation of your research profile soon after successful completion of your PhD.
Full information is available in the Call Specifications. The ESRC has also produced a set of answers to Frequently Asked Questions.
Applying for a Fellowship
In January 2022, the DTP held an online information session aimed at those considering applying for a Wales DTP Postdoctoral Fellowship. In the below recording of the session, Wales DTP Director, Professor John Harrington outlines the scheme and how to go about applying. The video also features current and former Postdoctoral Fellows talking about their own experiences of applying for and undertaking a Postdoctoral Fellowship, along with an academic mentor talking about their role.
The ESRC website includes resources on preparing research proposals, and information about ethics, research impact and developing collaborations https://www.ukri.org/councils/esrc/guidance-for-applicants/
The ESRC’s impact toolkit is also a helpful reference for developing impact strategies https://www.ukri.org/councils/esrc/impact-toolkit-for-economic-and-social-sciences/
How to Apply
As described in the call, you will need to identify a mentor who will be a senior colleague in the research organisation that hosts the fellowship. Your initial point of contact in identifying your mentor should be the convener for the pathway that best fits your fellowship proposal. You can find the list of pathways and conveners here. You should contact the relevant pathway convener as soon as possible and no later than 1 February 2023.
You should complete the application form and submit it with the specified mandatory attachments. Applicants are also asked to submit the equality and diversity monitoring form. This is held confidentially and collected for statistical reporting to the ESRC only. Applications should be submitted to fellowships@walesdtp.ac.uk by 4pm on 23 March 2023.
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
The DTP values diversity and equality at all levels and encourages applications from all sections of the community, irrespective of age, disability, sex, gender identity, marital or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief and sexual orientation.
Interviews
We expect a high level of competition for these fellowships and the selection process involves several stages. After the deadline of 23 March, each of our 20 pathways will put forward two applications to be considered by the DTP Management Group. Shortlisted applicants may be invited for interview in May 2023. The successful Postdoctoral Fellows will take up their positions in October 2023.
If you have any queries that are not answered by the FAQs please contact fellowships@walesdtp.ac.uk.