Overview
Imperial Research Fellowship
Starting Salary: £49017 – £57472 per annum plus benefits
Job Type: Full-Time.
To find out more about the job please click the ‘apply for job’ button to be taken to Imperial job site
About the role
Imperial College London is promoting our exciting opportunity for outstanding early career researchers to develop independent research programmes as part of the Imperial Research Fellowship (IRF) scheme. We aim to recruit the best talent and encourage applications from researchers from all backgrounds, from all over the world, across research fields active at Imperial.
It is anticipated that applicants will be at the early stages of their research career and be able to demonstrate the potential to establish research independence. Candidates are expected to have no more than five years of post-PhD research experience by the start of the fellowship. Extensions to this time period will be considered in circumstances that support our commitment to diversity, a positive research culture and non-traditional career paths.
What you would be doing
- You will take full responsibility for setting and directing your own research agenda and career trajectory, with no obligatory teaching.
- You will address an important research question of your own design through a high-quality research programme.
- You will develop into an independent researcher, using the fellowship as a transitional pathway.
- You will submit publications to refereed journals, present research findings internally and externally, and attract external research funding.
What we are looking for
Proposals will be considered in all research areas active within participating departments at Imperial, and are expected to contribute to the development of Imperial’s strategy. Multi -/ inter- disciplinary projects are welcomed, as are collaborations with The Francis Crick Institute. In addition, Schmidt Sciences will be supporting up to six fellowships based at the I-X Centre for AI in Science. The key evaluation criterion is excellence.
Applicants will need to identify an Imperial academic staff member to act as their sponsor who will provide laboratory space, facilities and mentorship. Those interested in applying are expected to contact their proposed sponsor and proposed host department as early as possible.
We strive to ensure the diversity of our candidates, and we reflect this ethos in the way we promote the IRF programme and in our recruitment and selection process. Imperial’s diversity networks aim to represent different staff groups at Imperial. Imperial is one of the world’s most international universities international universities with almost 60% of our current IRF holders having non-UK nationality. Thus, we welcome applications from UK nationals or international candidates.
To learn more about this outstanding opportunity and how to apply please visit the Imperial Research Fellowship webpages. If you have any queries about the Imperial Research Fellowship scheme, please contact researchfellowships@imperial.ac.uk.
Deadline for proposals is Thursday 23 July 2026 (23:59 BST).
What we can offer you
- The opportunity to continue your career at a world-leading institution and be part of our mission to continue science for humanity.
- Grow your career: gain access to Imperial’s sector-leading dedicated career support for researchers as well as opportunities for promotion and progression.
- Sector-leading salary and remuneration package (including 41 days off a year and generous pension schemes).
- Be part of a diverse, inclusive and collaborative work culture with various staff networks and resources to support your personal and professional wellbeing.
Further information
This is a full time, fixed term opportunity for 48 months.
If you require any further details about the role, please contact: researchfellowships@imperial.ac.uk.
IMPORTANT: Before applying for this role, please make sure you have the right to work in the country where the role is based. Unless it clearly stipulates within in the job advert above that the hiring company is looking to or able to sponsor applicants it is deemed that the hiring employer will only consider applications from those able to comply with and work in the country where the role is based.
