EPSRC Doctoral Prize Fellowships - 2023

The role

The EPSRC Doctoral Prize is a scheme that supports EPSRC-funded PhD graduates who are excited about taking their research careers to the next level. The scheme offers the opportunity to launch a research career at the University of Bristol, where we are known for our high-quality research and innovation.

University of Bristol Doctoral Prize 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 EPSRC’s research portfolio.

Successful applicants will have the chance to take their research to the next level, whether by delivering high-impact innovative research, or by exploiting new interdisciplinary research opportunities. The Prize 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 key member of Bristol academic staff supporting your project proposal and, where appropriate, hosting your project in their facilities), you will have access to an academic mentor, available to offer advice on research and career development throughout the duration of the Fellowship;
• Access to personal and professional development opportunities;

Doctoral Prize Fellows will be recruited at Grade I (£36,333 per annum) on the University of Bristol salary scale and receive a grant of £10,000 for research costs. The Fellowship is intended for recent PhD graduates. 

You should apply if

Applicants must have submitted their PhD thesis before their EPSRC Doctoral Prize Fellowship begins and must have been a recipient of EPSRC PhD studentship support (stipend and/or fee award) or have been an incorporated student in an EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training. Applications will also be accepted from students in the final stages of their PhD.

In the light of the variability of timelines around completion of a PhD, there are two bounds for eligibility:

• For applicants whose thesis has been examined, no more than 12 months must have passed between the viva and the application deadline;
• Applicants who have not yet submitted their doctoral thesis must declare an intention to submit within 6 months of the application deadline and include with their applications a statement of support pro-forma completed by their PhD supervisor.

Further information can be found in the Notes for Candidates document. 

Additional information

Interviews will be held on Monday, 12th June 2023

Please contact doctoral-prize@bristol.ac.uk with any queries.

We recently launched our strategy to 2030 tying together our mission, vision and values.

The University of Bristol aims to be a place where everyone feels able to be themselves and do their best in an inclusive working environment where all colleagues can thrive and reach their full potential. We want to attract, develop, and retain individuals with different experiences, backgrounds and perspectives – particularly people of colour, LGBT+ and disabled people - because diversity of people and ideas remains integral to our excellence as a global civic institution.

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