EPSRC Postdoctoral Pathway Fellow

UK Energy Research Centre; West of England; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 50,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Project sponsor

Academic mentor

Research costs grant

Job summary

The EPSRC Postdoctoral Pathway at the University of Bristol offers PhD graduates the chance to develop an independent research program over two years within a supported, interdisciplinary environment.

Postdoctoral Pathway Fellows will design a bespoke research plan and benefit from a project sponsor and an academic mentor, with development opportunities and a salary of £44,746 to £50,253 plus a £5,000 research costs grant.

Qualifications

• Eligibility criteria require PhD-related funding support (EPSRC stipend/fees).
• Applicants must not hold a permanent academic position.
• Applicants must have submitted their PhD thesis before the post begins and meet deadline conditions.

Responsibilities

• Postdoctoral Pathway Fellows will propose their own bespoke programme to conduct innovative research.
• Successful applicants will receive funding for up to 2 years.
• Offer includes a Project Sponsor, an academic mentor, and access to personal and professional development opportunities.

Education

PhD

Job description

University of Bristol – Engineering Mathematics and Technology

Location:

Location: Bristol

Salary: £44,746 to £50,253 per annum plus a a grant of £5,000 for research costs, Grade: J/Pathway 2

Hours:

Hours: Full Time

Contract Type:

Contract Type: Fixed-Term/Contract

Placed On:

Placed On: 14th September 2026

Closes:

Closes: 1st November 2026

Job Ref:

Job Ref: ACAD108703

The role

The EPSRC Postdoctoral Pathway supports EPSRC-funded PhD graduates who are excited about taking the first steps towards research independence with a two-year Fellowship at the University of Bristol. The scheme offers the opportunity to launch your own, independent research career in an exciting and innovative research environment.

Postdoctoral Pathway Fellows will propose their own bespoke programme to conduct innovative research at the frontiers of Science and Engineering.

Successful applicants will have the chance to take their research to the next level, whether by delivering high-impact original research, or by exploiting new interdisciplinary research opportunities. The Postdoctoral Pathway award should not be viewed as an opportunity to complete PhD work.

What will you be doing?

Successful applicants will receive funding for up to 2 years.

Benefits include:

• Work within world-class research groups at the University of Bristol
• In addition to a Project Sponsor (a Bristol academic staff member supporting your project proposal), you will have access to an academic mentor for advice on research and career development
• Access to personal and professional development opportunities.

Postdoctoral Pathway Fellows will be recruited at Grade J on the University of Bristol salary scale and receive a grant of £5,000 for research costs.

You should apply if

This scheme is designed to support Early Career Researchers who are nearing completion of their PhD or have recently completed it.

Eligibility criteria:

• All applicants must have received PhD studentship support from EPSRC (stipend and/or fees) or training award, for example CDT, ICASE, or IDLA studentship
• Applicants must not hold a permanent academic position
• Applicants must have submitted their PhD thesis before the post begins and meet either of the following two requirements:
• Applicants who have recently completed their PhD they must have had their viva on or after 1st November 2025 (12 months prior to the application deadline)
• Applicants who are near completion of their PhD must intend to submit their doctoral thesis on or before 31st January 2027 (within 3 months of the application deadline). If they do not submit their thesis by this date, the award offer will be withdrawn. Applicants who are yet to submit must include a statement of support from their PhD supervisor confirming their expected submission timeline.

Contract type: Fixed term up to 24 months

This advert will close at 23:59 UK time on Sunday 1st November 2026

The interview date is anticipated to take place on Thursday 10th December 2026