Institute of Astronomy

Externally Funded Opportunities

The Institute of Astronomy welcomes enquiries from outstanding researchers seeking to join us as independant research fellows. We have significant experience hosting research fellowships, with fellowship holders typically going on to have successful long term academic research careers.

We are open to applications for a number of different fellowship schemes, including, but not limited to;

Royal Society Dorothy Hodgkin Fellowships - Application deadline typically November

Leverhulme Trust/Isaac Newton Trust Early Career Fellowship - Application deadline typically December

Royal Commission for the Exhibition of 1851 Fellowships - Application deadline typically January

Royal Society Newton International Fellowships - Application deadline typically March

EPSRC Stephen Hawking Fellowships - Application deadline typically March and September

Royal Society University Research Fellowships - Application deadline typically early September

STFC Ernest Rutherford Fellowships - Application deadline typically September

Marie Sklodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships - Application deadline typically September

Royal Astronomical Society Research Fellowships - Application deadline typically October

Further details can be found in the opportunities listing below, and on the funders webpage. Open current opportunities will appear on our main vacancies webpage. Closed opportunities are moved to the page below. Fellowship calls generally open annually - closed adverts are left visible to give potential applicants an idea of timings and application processes. Some schemes stay open for extended periods of time - these will typically be listed below until around 2 months before the application deadline, at which point they would move to our main vacancies webpage.

In the first instance applicants should make contact with a member of the Institute’s Academic Staff who has related research interests to discuss the possibility of hosting the fellowship within the Institute. This contact should be made as soon as possible, and at least 1 month before the posted closing date. Please note, some schemes have additional internal selection procedures and may require earlier pre-applications - please read the opportunities listings thoroughly before applying.

Once a member of academic staff has agreed to support the application, potential applicants should also make sure to email the IoA Finance Manager David Savidge at an early stage indicating their intention to apply for a Fellowship and liaise with him over financial aspects as preparation of an application proceeds.

Page last updated: 1 March 2023 at 15:30

Open Externally Funded Opportunities

Leverhulme Trust/Isaac Newton Trust Early Career Fellowship

Published on 22/11/2017 
Institute of Astronomy, University of Cambridge
Salary: 
£36,024 - £44,263
Starting Date: 
Between 1 September 2024 and 1 May 2025
Tenure: 
3 Years

The Institute of Astronomy is pleased to support up to two applications for the Isaac Newton Trust/Leverhulme Trust Early Career Fellowship scheme. Potential applicants should first contact a member of the Institute's Academic Staff to discuss the possibility of submitting a pre-application to the Institute's selection committee which will review requests. Note: we have three additional academics who have recently started  who can also be contacted for support (Prof. Hiranya Peiris <hiranya[at]ast.cam.ac.uk>, Dr. Miles Cranmer <mc2473[at]cam.ac.uk>, Dr. Chris Moore <cjm8917[at]gmail.com>).

Leverhulme Trust Early Career Fellowships aim to provide career development opportunities for those who are at a relatively early stage of their academic careers, but who have a proven record of research. The expectation is that Fellows should undertake a significant piece of publishable work during their tenure.

Applications are invited from those with a doctorate who submitted their doctoral thesis for viva voce examination not more than four years prior to the Leverhulme Trust application closing date on 22 February 2024. All candidates must hold a doctorate or have equivalent research experience by the time they take up the Fellowship. Those who are or have been registered for a doctorate at any time may apply only if they have submitted their doctoral thesis by the closing date of 4pm on 22 February 2024.

Applicants must either hold a degree from a UK higher education institution at the time of taking up the Fellowship or at the time of the application deadline must hold an academic position in the UK which commenced no less than 4 months prior to the closing date.

Applicants who have not already moved institutions in the course of their academic career (i.e., between their undergraduate degree and current position) should nominate a new host institution, or otherwise demonstrate clear evidence of the academic and/or personal reasons for remaining at the same institution, such as access to highly specialist equipment or a highly specialised research team.

The Leverhulme Trust offers funding covering 50% of salary costs of the three-year early career fellowship position, as well as research funds of up to £6,000 per annum. The Isaac Newton Trust is the main Univeristy of Cambridge body offering matching funding for the remaining 50% salary cost. The Institute of Astronomy is allowed to support up to two Isaac Newton Trust applications per year.

A “three-stage” application process is therefore required, with applicants first submitting a pre-application to the Institute of Astronomy for support. Supported applicants will then apply to the Isaac Newton Trust for matched funding. If approved, applicants would then apply to the Leverhulme Trust for the full fellowship. All application stages have to be successful to be awarded the fellowship.

Once applicants have engaged with a member of the Institute's Academic Staff, a pre-application may be made by submitting:

  • Isaac Newton Trust cover sheet
  • CV (not exceeding two sides)
  • A list of your major publications (maximum one side)
  • Details of your current and past research (maximum 250 words)
  • A detailed statement of your proposed research (maximum two sides)
  • Name and contact details of your two proposed referees
  • Name of the IoA Staff member who has agreed to support the pre-application

Materials should be sent to fellowships@ast.cam.ac.uk with attachments as a single .pdf format file.

Applicants should also request that their endorsing IoA academic staff member send a statement in support of their application to the same e-mail address by the same deadline.

The Institute's selection committee will begin reviewing applications in late October and pre-applications must be received no later than 23 October 2023 for consideration by the Institute's selection committee.

The Isaac Newton Trust closing date for submission of applications is 17 November 2023.

The University of Cambridge thrives on the diversity of its staff and students. The Institute particularly welcomes applications from women and/or candidates from a BME background for this vacancy as they are currently under-represented. We have an active Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Committee which continually works to further the aims of the Athena SWAN charter. The University has a number of family-friendly policies and initiatives, including a Career Support Fund, formally returning-carer scheme, childcare costs support, university workplace nurseries, university holiday pay- schemes, and a shared parental-leave policy. As part of its commitment to providing a family-friendly environment for researchers, the IoA ensures that should parental leave be needed during the course of employment, there is provision for extension to contract to compensate for the parental leave taken. 

 

Application Deadline Date: 
23 October 2023

Closed Externally Funded Opportunities

Stephen Hawking Fellowships

Published on 09/05/2019 
Institute of Astronomy, University of Cambridge
Salary: 
£35,308 - £43,155
Starting Date: 
1st October 2024
Tenure: 
3 years

The Institute of Astronomy is pleased to invite applications from suitably qualified researchers who wish to apply for a Stephen Hawking Fellowship to be held at the Institute in an area that complements or enhances research being undertaken at the Institute.

The Stephen Hawking fellowships will support and develop the next generation of visionary scientists in theoretical physics (including cosmology and theoretical astrophysics) at the beginning of their career. This scheme aims to support excellent researchers who will make significant contributions to the field of theoretical physics and continue to spark public interest in the field. 

For further details please see: Stephen Hawking Postdoctoral Fellowship – UKRI

In the first instance applicants should make contact with a member of the Institute's Academic Staff who has related research interests to discuss the possibility of hosting the fellowship within the Institute. Note: we have three academics starting who can also be contacted for support (Prof. Hiranya Peiris <hiranya.peiris[at]fysik.su.se>, Dr. Miles Cranmer <miles.cranmer[at]gmail.com>, Dr. Chris Moore <cjm8917[at]gmail.com>).

Once applicants have engaged with a member of the Institute's Academic staff, a pre-application may be made by submitting:

  •     narrative cv (Please ensure this is in the new "narrative cv" four-module format as detailed here: Résumé for Research and Innovation (R4RI) guidance – UKRI

  •     publication list

  •     draft research proposal [maximum length six-pages of A4. Applicants should cover "Vision" and "Approach" aspects as described in the UKRI application guidelines

  •     name of the IoA Staff member who has agreed to support the application.

Materials should be sent to fellowships@ast.cam.ac.uk with attachments as a single .pdf format file. STFC specify that documents must be submitted as pdf attachments in 11 point Arial (or equivalent regular sans serif) font and have a minimum 2 cm margin.

Applicants should also request that their endorsing IoA academic staff member send a statement in support of their application to the same e-mail address by the same deadline.

Pre-applications must be received no later than 19th July. All applicants will be informed of the outcome during the week commencing 24th July.

Successful pre-application candidates will be provided with support and advice to improve their application before submission to EPSRC. If selected for interview, the Institute of Astronomy will arrange mock interviews to further support our candidates and maximise their chances of success.

The EPSRC closing date for submission of applications is 4pm 28th September. All materials will need to be submitted via the TFS system by 5pm 21st September to give time for checking, approval and ultimate submission by Cambridge University Research Services Division.

The University of Cambridge thrives on the diversity of its staff and students. The Institute particularly welcomes applications from women and/or candidates from a BME background for this vacancy as they are currently under-represented. We have an active Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Committee which continually works to further the aims of the Athena SWAN charter. The University has a number of family-friendly policies and initiatives, including a Career Support Fund, formally returning-carer scheme, childcare costs support, university workplace nurseries, university holiday pay- schemes, and a shared parental-leave policy. As part of its commitment to providing a family-friendly environment for researchers, the IoA ensures that should parental leave be needed during the course of employment, there is provision for extension to contract to compensate for the parental leave taken. 

 

Application Deadline Date: 
19 July 2023

STFC Ernest Rutherford Fellowships

Published on 03/07/2018 
Institute of Astronomy, University of Cambridge
Salary: 
£44,414 to £56,048
Starting Date: 
1st October 2024
Tenure: 
Up to five years

The Institute of Astronomy will offer to support up to two applications (our quota) for the STFC Ernest Rutherford Fellowship scheme. Potential applicants should first contact a member of the Institute's Academic Staff to discuss the possibility of submitting a pre-application to the Institute's selection committee which will review requests. Note: we have three academics starting who can also be contacted for support (Prof. Hiranya Peiris <hiranya.peiris[at]fysik.su.se>, Dr. Miles Cranmer <miles.cranmer[at]gmail.com>, Dr. Chris Moore <cjm8917[at]gmail.com>).

The Rutherford Fellowships are highly competitive and suitable candidates will normally: (i) currently hold a prize fellowship or, be employed on their second or third postdoctoral position following completion of their Ph.D.; (ii) be able to demonstrate a highly successful research record, including an impressive publication list and associated recognition – evident via a strong citation record; and (iii) have shown evidence of leadership within their research field and/or major research collaborations/projects. STFC also encourage applications from those seeking to resume their research career, after career breaks of normally at least one year.

Once applicants have engaged with a member of the Institute's Academic staff, a pre-application may be made by submitting:

  •     narrative cv (Please ensure this is in the new "narrative cv" four-module format as detailed here: Résumé for Research and Innovation (R4RI) guidance – UKRI

  •     publication list

  •     draft research proposal [applicants should produce this in the STFC two-part submission format, covering "Vision" (400 word maximum) and "Approach" (1200 word maximum)]

  •     name of the IoA Staff member who has agreed to support the application

  •     a completed EDI diversity statistics questionnaire (as found in the attachments of this job advert)

Materials should be sent to fellowships@ast.cam.ac.uk with attachments as a single .pdf format file. STFC specify that documents must be submitted as pdf attachments in 11 point Arial (or equivalent regular sans serif) font and have a minimum 2 cm margin.

Applicants should also request that their endorsing IoA academic staff member send a statement in support of their application to the same e-mail address by the same deadline.

Pre-applications must be received no later than 19th July. All applicants will be informed of the outcome during the week commencing 24th July.

Successful pre-application candidates will be provided with support and advice to improve their application before submission to STFC. If selected for interview, the Institute of Astronomy will arrange mock interviews to further support our candidates and maximise their chances of success.

As per STFC guidelines, candidates will not be put under any pressure to accept an offer to be hosted before the 10th August. This is to ensure candidates who submit pre-applications to multiple host organisations are given time to make an informed decision regarding which one to accept.

The STFC closing date for submission of applications is 4pm 21st September. All materials will need to be submitted via the TFS system by 5pm 14th September to give time for checking, approval and ultimate submission by Cambridge University Research Services Division.

The University of Cambridge thrives on the diversity of its staff and students. The Institute particularly welcomes applications from women and/or candidates from a BME background for this vacancy as they are currently under-represented. We have an active Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Committee which continually works to further the aims of the Athena SWAN charter. The University has a number of family-friendly policies and initiatives, including a Career Support Fund, formally returning-carer scheme, childcare costs support, university workplace nurseries, university holiday pay- schemes, and a shared parental-leave policy. As part of its commitment to providing a family-friendly environment for researchers, the IoA ensures that should parental leave be needed during the course of employment, there is provision for extension to contract to compensate for the parental leave taken. 

Application Deadline Date: 
19 July 2023

Marie Sklodowska-Curie Postdoctoral Fellowships

Published on 22/02/2018 
Institute of Astronomy, University of Cambridge
Salary: 
See call documentation for details
Starting Date: 
01/10/2024
Tenure: 
Up to 24 Months

The Institute of Astronomy is pleased to invite expressions of interest from suitably qualified researchers who wish to apply for a Marie Sklodowska-Curie Individual Fellowship to be held within the Institute.

Eligibility information;

  • You must have a PhD (or at least 4 years research experience)

  • You must not have resided or worked in the UK for more than 12 months during the three years up to the submission deadline

Additionally, applicants are expected to have significant research recognition (via publications and citations) and be able to demonstrate evidence of independence/leadership potential.

Full details of eligibility and call documentation can be found on the European Commission website

In the first instance applicants should make contact with a member of the Institute’s Academic Staff who has related research interests to discuss the possibility of hosting the fellowship within the Institute.

Completed applications will have to be submitted through the European Commission’s EPSS system by 4pm GMT 13th September, but we would expect interested applicants to contact a member of our academic staff as soon as possible, and at the very latest by 31st August.

 

Application Deadline Date: 
31 August 2023

Royal Commission for the Exhibition of 1851 Research Fellowship

Published on 10/10/2016 
Institute of Astronomy, University of Cambridge
Salary: 
£34,308 - £42,155
Starting Date: 
1st October 2023
Tenure: 
3 years

The Institute of Astronomy welcomes applications from individuals for the Royal Commission for the Exhibition of 1851 Research Fellowship to be held at the Institute.

1851 Research Fellowships are intended to give early career scientists or engineers of exceptional promise the opportunity to conduct a research project of their own instigation; an ultimate objective is to contribute to the knowledge base required for a healthy and innovative national culture. 

Candidates must be in possession of a recent PhD, or equivalent qualification (normally with no more than 3 years postdoctoral experience) or be in the final stages of their PhD studies, which must be successfully completed before the award of a Fellowship can be confirmed. The research should be carried out at a different Institution from the one where the candidate’s PhD research was undertaken.

In the first instance applicants should make contact with a member of the Institute's Academic Staff who has related research interests to discuss the possibility of hosting the fellowship within the Institute.

The ultimate submission deadline is 12 noon, 17 January 2023, however we ask that applicants secure support from a member of our academic staff, and then inform our administration of their intent to apply (by e-mailing fellowships@ast.cam.ac.uk) by 6th January 2023 at the latest.

 

Application Deadline Date: 
6 January 2023

Royal Society Newton International Fellowships

Published on 17/02/2016 
Institute of Astronomy, University of Cambridge
Salary: 
£34,308 - £42,155
Starting Date: 
Between 01 October 2023 and 29 February 2024
Tenure: 
3 Years

The Institute of Astronomy is pleased to invite expressions of interest from suitably qualified researchers who wish to apply for a Newton International Fellowship to be held at the Institute. 

The Newton International Fellowship programme provides support for outstanding early career researchers to make a first step towards developing an independent research career through gaining experience across international borders. The fellowships will enable researchers to access expertise, gain new perspectives and build long-lasting collaborative relationships. The fellowship provides three years funding to attract international early career researchers to establish and conduct their research in a UK host organisation.

To be eligible to apply you must:

  • have a PhD, or will have a PhD by the time the funding starts
  • have no more than seven years of active full time postdoctoral experience at the time of application (discounting career breaks, but including teaching experience and/or time spent in industry on research)
  • be working outside the UK
  • not hold UK citizenship

Applicants are permitted to apply for up to £350,000 to cover their own salary, on -costs and related overheads for the three years of the fellowship, as well as research expenses funding.

For further details, please see: Newton International Fellowships | Royal Society

  • In the first instance applicants should make contact with a member of the Institute's Academic Staff who has related research interests to discuss the possibility of hosting the fellowship within the Institute. 

  • We ask that applicants secure support from a member of our academic staff, and then inform our administration of their intent to apply (by e-mailing fellowships@ast.cam.ac.uk) by 3rd March 2023 at the latest.

  • Applications must be submitted by the applicant by 21st March to allow time for internal approval before the Royal Society deadline on 28th March. 

Application Deadline Date: 
3 March 2023

Royal Society University Research Fellowships

Published on 02/07/2015 
Institute of Astronomy, University of Cambridge
Salary: 
£51,000 to £56,048
Starting Date: 
1st October 2024
Tenure: 
Initially 5 years with a possible further extension of 3 years (see Royal Society for further details)

The Institute of Astronomy is pleased to invite pre-applications from suitably qualified researchers who wish to apply for a Royal Society University Research Fellowship (URF) to be held within the Institute.

In the first instance applicants should make contact with a member of the Institute's Academic Staff who has related research interests to discuss the possibility of hosting the fellowship within the Institute. Note: we have three academics starting who can also be contacted for support (Prof. Hiranya Peiris <hiranya.peiris[at]fysik.su.se>, Dr. Miles Cranmer <miles.cranmer[at]gmail.com>, Dr. Chris Moore <cjm8917[at]gmail.com>).

Applicants must have an appropriate level of experience (between 3 and 8 years of post-Ph.D. research experience at the time of application), significant research recognition (via publications and citations) and be able to demonstrate evidence of independence/leadership potential.

Once applicants have engaged with a member of the Institute's Academic Staff, a pre-application may be made by submitting:

  •     cv

  •     publication list

  •     draft research proposal (Four sides of A4)

  •     name and contact details of the proposed referee (personal reference)

  •     name of the IoA Staff member who has agreed to support the application.

Materials should be sent to fellowships@ast.cam.ac.uk with attachments as a single .pdf format file.

Applicants should also request that their endorsing IoA academic staff member send a statement in support of their application to the same e-mail address by the same deadline.

In order to be considered, applicants must send their pre-application materials to reach the Institute of Astronomy by 4th August at the latest.

Successful pre-application candidates will be provided with support and advice to improve their application before submission to Royal Society. If selected for interview, the Institute of Astronomy will arrange mock interviews to further support our candidates and maximise their chances of success.

Completed applications will have to be submitted on the Royal Society's Flexi-Grant system by 30th August to give time for checking, approval and ultimate submission by Cambridge University Research Services Division.

The final deadline for submission of applications to the Royal Society is 3pm 7th September.

The deadline for Head of Department/Nominated Referee references/statements to be submitted online using the Royal Society's Flexi-Grant system is also 3pm 7th September.

The University of Cambridge thrives on the diversity of its staff and students. The Institute particularly welcomes applications from women and/or candidates from a BME background for this vacancy as they are currently under-represented. We have an active Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Committee which continually works to further the aims of the Athena SWAN charter. The University has a number of family-friendly policies and initiatives, including a Career Support Fund, formally returning-carer scheme, childcare costs support, university workplace nurseries, university holiday pay- schemes, and a shared parental-leave policy. As part of its commitment to providing a family-friendly environment for researchers, the IoA ensures that should parental leave be needed during the course of employment, there is provision for extension to contract to compensate for the parental leave taken. 

 

Application Deadline Date: 
4 August 2023