Postdoctoral Pathway Fellows

University of Bristol; Bristol; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Research funds £5,000

Academic mentor

Personal and professional development

Job summary

The EPSRC Postdoctoral Pathway at the University of Bristol offers a two-year Fellowship for PhD graduates aiming at research independence. Fellows will design a bespoke programme to conduct innovative research across science and engineering, within Bristol's world-class groups.

Successful applicants join at Grade J, receive £5,000 for research costs and will have access to an academic mentor and ongoing development opportunities.

Qualifications

• Applicants must have received PhD studentship support (stipend and/or fees) or training award (e.g., CDT, ICASE, IDLA).
• Applicants must not hold a permanent academic position.
• Applicants must have submitted their PhD thesis before the post begins and meet either viva on/after 1 Nov 2025 or submission by 31 Jan 2027.

Responsibilities

• Propose a bespoke programme to conduct innovative research at the frontiers of Science and Engineering.
• Work within world-class research groups at the University of Bristol.
• Benefit from an academic mentor and access to personal and professional development opportunities.

Skills

PhD completion

Research independence

Proposal development

Education

PhD degree

Job description

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. Project proposals are invited across the full range of topics in the EPSRC research portfolio EPSRC strategy, remit and programmes - UKRI. 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. 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.

• 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.

• 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.