STFC Ernest Rutherford Fellowships

Information on fellowships for early-career researchers in astronomy, solar and planetary science, particle physics, particle astrophysics, cosmology and nuclear physics
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The Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) offer fellowships each year to early-career researchers in astronomy, solar and planetary science, particle physics, particle astrophysics, cosmology and nuclear physics. A quota system applies for each university and so the department runs an annual internal selection process for this scheme.
We are pleased to announce our 2025 internal ²ÝùÊÓƵ School of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics competition to select a scientist to submit an application to the .
Our internal deadline is Friday 4 July 2025, 17:00.
Please note that applications to the STFC ERF where the fellowship is intended to be held at the ²ÝùÊÓƵ must be made via the process outlined below to ensure you have approved support from the proposed host Department.
The ERF provides five years of external funding to enable early career researchers with clear leadership potential to establish a strong, independent research programme.
If you have any queries on the process, please email secamhosresearch@plymouth.ac.uk or the Research Funding Managers at researchadvice@plymouth.ac.uk
Female researcher with microscope

Eligibility
The ERFs are intended for early career researchers who do not hold a tenured academic position at lecturer level. You are not eligible if you currently hold an academic position at lecturer level or the equivalent in institutions other than universities. If you secure an academic position at lecturer level prior to the offer of a fellowship, you will be ineligible to hold the fellowship. Applicants can refer to to determine if they are at the correct career stage.
The scheme is open to applicants of any nationality. Read the full information about the call, including the eligibility criteria which must be carefully considered.
The ²ÝùÊÓƵ welcomes fellowship applicants from diverse backgrounds, and individuals from underrepresented groups are particularly encouraged to apply. Please reach out to our team at secamhosresearch@plymouth.ac.uk if you wish to discuss your individual circumstances with a member of the team, including if you have any accessibility requirements for the application or internal selection process.
The ERF scheme encourages people to work in a way that suits their personal circumstances. We encourage applications from a diverse range of researchers.
We support people to work in a way that suits their personal circumstances. This includes:
  • career breaks
  • support for people with caring responsibilities
  • flexible working
  • alternative working patterns
Find out more about .

Institutional support
Applicants must identify and work with a host academic at the ²ÝùÊÓƵ to develop their proposal:
  • Internal applicants should arrange appropriate discussions with the relevant host department in advance of this sift application
  • External applicants please contact someone in your relevant research area ahead of your sift application, to ensure support from the relevant department that would be hosting your fellowship.
You can browse our current research activity, institutes and departments on our Research and expertise and School of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics pages. If you are unsure who best to contact, please email secamhosresearch@plymouth.ac.uk and we will be happy to guide you.

How to apply
As STFC operate a quota system, the University will perform an internal triage, with an EOI stage.
To be considered as a candidate to be put forward by the University, please submit this ERF expression of interest form , duly completed, to secamhosresearch@plymouth.ac.uk by 17:00 on Friday 4 July 2025.
EOI sections include:
  • Project title
  • Applicant name, email address, current institution
  • Vision
  • Approach
  • Capability to deliver
  • Career development
  • Research publications or outputs
Use of this EOI format is mandatory, no other form of CV will be considered.

Assessment and decisions
  • We will assess your EOI using the criteria described in the five sections of the application form.
  • Decision will be made after panel assessment. Applications outcome is expected as soon as possible after 21 July 2025.
  • If you are selected as a candidate to be put forward for an STFC Ernest Rutherford Fellowship, we will work with you to prepare your application using the full ERF assessment criteria; there will be further communications on internal deadlines for a draft of the full application, to ensure time for feedback, peer reviews and necessary approvals.
  • The UKRI deadline for the full application to STFC is 1 October 2025.
Apply now

To be considered as a candidate to be put forward, please submit the Expression of Interest form by 17:00 on Friday 4 July 2025.