EPSRC Doctoral Prize Fellowship

Heriot-Watt University; City of Edinburgh; On-site; GBP 37,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading UK university is offering an EPSRC Doctoral Prize Fellowship aimed at recruiting top doctoral graduates for research funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council. This position supports outstanding candidates in launching their research careers, with projects aligned to specific research areas. Eligible candidates must have recently submitted their doctoral thesis and be ready to commence the fellowship by March 2026. This is a full-time role based in Edinburgh with competitive remuneration.

Benefits

33 days annual leave

9 buildings closed days

Total rewards calculator for benefits

Qualifications

• Applicants must have received EPSRC studentship funding and submitted their doctoral thesis on or after 1st October 2022.
• Fellowship projects must align with EPSRC remit and be conducted at Heriot-Watt University.

Responsibilities

• Take research to the next level and undertake new research.
• Applications encouraging industrial or third sector partner involvement.

Education

PhD or EngD

EPSRC studentship funding

Job description

Description

Job Posting Title: EPSRC Doctoral Prize Fellowship

Grade and Salary: Gradeper annum

Contract Type: Full Time Fixed Term (1-2 years)

Rewards and Benefits: 33 days annual leave plus 9 buildings closed days for all full time staff (Part time workers should pro rata this by their FTE). Use our total rewards calculator to see the value of benefits provided by Heriot‑Watt University.

About our Organisation

Heriot‑Watt University has established a reputation for world‑class teaching and leading‑edge relevant research which has made it one of the top UK universities for innovation business and industry.

Heriot‑Watt University has five campuses: three in the UK (Edinburgh, Scottish Borders and Orkney), one in Dubai and one in Malaysia. The University offers a highly distinctive range of degree programmes in the specialist areas of science, engineering, design, business and finance. Heriot‑Watt is also Scotland’s most international university boasting the largest international student cohort.

Dependent on area of research successful candidates will be a staff member within one of our five Schools:

• Engineering and Physical Sciences
• Energy Geoscience Infrastructure and Society
• Mathematical and Computer Sciences
• Social Sciences
• Textiles and Design

The Opportunity

EPSRC Doctoral Prize Fellowship roles are funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council as part of Heriot‑Watt University’s Doctoral Training Partnership award.

The EPSRC Doctoral Prize Fellowship scheme is intended to help universities recruit and retain the very best newly qualified doctoral (eg PhD, EngD) students and help them launch careers in research. The Fellowships target the top 10‑15% of EPSRC‑funded students.

All Fellowship projects must lie within the EPSRC remit. Consideration should be given to the alignment of the area of research with one of the following Heriot‑Watt Global Research Institutes or Frontier Research areas:

• The National Robotarium (Robotics, Artificial Intelligence and Data Science)
• Net Zero (technologies that will enable decarbonisation to deliver net zero)
• Health and Care Engineering / Medical Technology
• Photonics and Quantum
• Smart construction
• Mathematics

Further information on the above can be found at Heriot‑Watt’s research web pages.

Applications with leverage from an industrial or third sector partner(s) are encouraged.

Successful applicants will be expected to take their research to the next level and undertake new research. An outline of eligibility requirements, the application process and deadlines is detailed below.

Education Qualifications & Experience

The Fellowships are funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council as part of Heriot‑Watt University’s Doctoral Training Partnership Award. The criteria below are specified by EPSRC in their award terms.

Eligibility Essentials

• All Fellowship projects must lie within the EPSRC remit. Successful applicants will be expected to take their research to the next level and undertake new research.
• The fellowship must commence by latest March 2026 and should be 12 or 24 months. (The funding available is for an estimated 2 FTE positions)
• Applicants must have received EPSRC studentship funding and have submitted their doctoral thesis on or after 1st October 2022.
• The Fellow must have submitted their thesis for examination prior to the start of the award and no earlier than 1st October 2022. Candidates who have not yet submitted their thesis at the time of application are still eligible but they must have submitted their thesis prior to the Fellowship start date and the supervisors letter of support must clearly state the expected submission date. Where the viva exam has not taken place before the start of the Fellowship the outcome must be an outright pass or pass with minor corrections otherwise the Fellowship will be withdrawn. If minor corrections are required they must be done outside of the time allocated for the Fellowship.
• Applications will be accepted from any student that received EPSRC doctoral funding at a UK institution (fees and/or stipend). This includes students funded by: Centres for Doctoral Training (CDT), Doctoral Training Partnerships (DTP), National Productivity Investment Fund (NPIF) and Industrial CASE studentships (I‑CASE). Those who received funding via another of the Research Councils within UKRI are NOT eligible to apply for the EPSRC Doctoral Prize Fellowship.

Other Costs (non-salary)

Non-salary costs are available for direct research expenses for example facilities use consumables travel (e.g. fieldwork visiting collaborators attending conferences) and outreach activities (e.g. public engagement). Any costs requested should be appropriate for the project being undertaken. 10k per annum can be used as a guideline but more or less can be requested dependent wholly on the nature of the project. Any costs requested must be realistic and justified in the application form.

How to Apply

The deadline for applications is midnight on Friday 31 st October 2025.

The following documents must be completed when submitting an application for an EPSRC Doctoral Prize Fellowship:

• CV
• Doctoral Prize Fellowship Application Form
• Referee Form (completed by the applicant’s primary doctoral supervisor and uploaded by the applicant)
• Executive Dean for Research & Impact Support Form (completed by the Associate Executive Dean for Research & Impact of the proposed host School at Heriot‑Watt University)

It is anticipated that shortlisted candidates will be invited to interview end‑November. Successful candidates will be notified as soon as possible thereafter.

In advance of applying, all applicants should be in contact with their proposed host department to discuss how they can support the Fellowship and any local departmental timelines/deadlines.

Interview and shortlisting panels will consist of academics from across the EPSRC remit. Applicants should ensure their application is accessible to a general scientific audience.

Enquiries can be directed to Baz Strategic Projects Officer

At Heriot‑Watt we are passionate about our values and look to them to connect our people globally and to help us collaborate and celebrate our success through working together. Our research programmes can deliver real world impact which is achieved through the diversity of our international community and the recognition of creative talent that connects our global team.

Our flourishing community will give you the freedom to challenge and to bring your enterprising mind and to help our partners with solutions that can be applied now and in the future. Join us and Heriot‑Watt will provide you with a platform to thrive and work in a way that also helps you live your life in balance with well‑being and inclusiveness at the heart of our global community.

EEO Statement

Heriot‑Watt University is committed to securing equality of opportunity in employment and to the creation of an environment in which individuals are selected, trained, promoted, appraised and otherwise treated on the sole basis of their relevant merits and abilities. Equality and diversity are all about maximising potential and creating a culture of inclusion for all.

Heriot‑Watt University values diversity across our University community and welcomes applications from all sectors of society particularly from underrepresented groups. For more information please see our website also our award‑winning work in Disability Inclusive Science Careers welcome and will consider flexible working patterns e.g. part‑time working and job share options.

Employment Type: Full-Time

Experience: years

Vacancy: 1

Yearly Salary: 37694 - 47389