Loughborough University Unveils Recruitment Drive for Esteemed Vice-Chancellor Independent Research Fellowship Scheme
Loughborough University will shortly begin recruiting for its fifth cohort of the prestigious early career fellowships programme, rebranded this year to the Vice-Chancellor Independent Research Fellowships (VCIRF).
The scheme offers recently completed doctoral students a 24-month Postdoctoral Researcher position with tailored support. It is open to outstanding early career researchers from all around the world, including those already at Loughborough University.
Fellows will be based at Loughborough University (in the Midlands or London), and will undertake work derived from their own research questions and ideas, which will be the foundation for externally-funded Fellowship applications to be made during the course of the VCIRF.
Candidates should be within three years of the date of their PhD award and must have had their PhD (or equivalent doctoral qualification) awarded by the application closing date (27 November 2023).
The University is dedicated to supporting an equitable, diverse, and inclusive environment – to Create Better Futures, Together. The diverse backgrounds, characteristics and opinions within our community are our great strength and are key to our pursuit of delivering educational excellence, enterprise, research and professional services. We welcome applications from people from diverse backgrounds and minoritised groups as they are currently under-represented within our community.
There are 10 positions available, across our nine Schools. In light of the ongoing unrest and wars around the globe, we will prioritise one VCIRF for an academic at immediate risk from war or conflict (for example, the war in Ukraine or ongoing conflicts in Afghanistan and Syria).
The application window will run from 30 October – 27 November 2023. See further information and details on how to apply.
Professor Dan Parsons, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation) said: “We are delighted to launch the recruitment campaign for our fifth cohort of Vice-Chancellor Independent Research Fellowships. We are strategically committed to supporting Early Career Researchers at Loughborough and this inclusive scheme offers a comprehensive career development package for ambitious researchers who have recently completed a PhD.”
Previous fellows have highlighted the relevance of the scheme for their career development. Dr Chris McLeod, Lecturer in the School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences stated: “This fellowship presented a unique opportunity for me to explore my own body of research, and to do so with flexibility and autonomy. I believe that the work I was able to engage with during my fellowship – both in regard to research, innovation and other leadership opportunities – were key to me successfully obtaining a permanent lectureship at the University only two years after finishing my PhD.”
Dr Ishara Dharmasena, Royal Academy of Engineering Research Fellow and Lecturer at Wolfson School of Engineering added: “This scheme was the ideal launch-pad for my career. It not only provides a platform to conduct independent research and build recognition, but also facilitates time, flexibility and training to prepare for future career opportunities, which is invaluable for an ECR. This fellowship was undoubtedly a major contributor behind my success with the RAEng Research Fellowship and the permanent academic position at Loughborough University.”
Dr Alister Smith, a Reader in Geotechnics based within the School of Architecture, Building and Civil Engineering commented: “The Doctoral Prize Fellowship enabled me to develop research independence immediately after my PhD. It allowed me to establish collaborations and networks and gave me time and space to develop externally-funded fellowship applications.