Imperial commits £3.6m to establish Junior Research Fellowships - <em>News Release</em>
For immediate use
Thursday 24 July 2008
Outstanding young scientists will be free to pursue their research unfettered by other demands thanks to a new scheme launched by Imperial College London today.
The Imperial College Junior Research Fellowships will give the world's top early-career researchers three years free from teaching and administration plus a competitive salary and laboratory support costs, enabling them to establish and develop their own scientific path. The Fellowships also aim to help them make the difficult leap from post-doctoral researcher to lecturer.
The first adverts announcing the Fellowships appear in Nature and New Scientist, and online, from today (24 July 2008).
Imperial is committing £3.6 million to establish 60 Fellowships over the first three years of the scheme. They will be open to researchers of all nationalities working in, or between, the disciplines offered by the College.
Each Fellow will be supported and mentored by a senior researcher at the College, who will advise on career development as well as on the mechanics of establishing and furthering research programmes.
Professor Maggie Dallman of Imperial College's Faculty of Natural Sciences, who is spearheading the scheme, explains:
"These early years of a researcher's career can be very tough. Difficulties in obtaining independent funding, as well as other responsibilities often prevent junior staff from taking full ownership of their research project. This scheme will enable fellows to apply for external funding and develop their research career in an independent manner."
"The criterion for applicants to this scheme is simple - an outstanding track record in science. We are looking for the best scientists from across the world, so that the science base we all rely on is strengthened internationally."
Imperial's Rector, Sir Roy Anderson, said:
The new Fellowships will boost the careers of promising young researchers
"The importance of science to our lives is only going to grow over the coming years as we face the serious global challenges of finding sufficient energy, water and food without threatening the future of our planet. So it is vital that we nurture outstanding young scientists by allowing them to develop their own independence, to carry out leading-edge science and to become the leaders of tomorrow."
Proposals will be accepted in all of Imperial's core disciplines and in interdisciplinary projects for Fellowship stipends in the range of £29,690 to £34,920, plus up to £10,000 per year expenses.
Proposals will be judged primarily on the basis of scientific merit, track record and potential for development of an independent research programme.
Applicants will need to identify an Imperial College academic staff member to act as their sponsor and provide laboratory space, facilities and mentorship for the tenure of the Fellowship. They will be expected normally to have between two and four years post-doctoral experience at the time of application.
Young researchers interested in finding our more about the scheme should visit www.imperial.ac.uk/jrf.
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For further information contact:
Abigail Smith
Imperial College London Press Office
Tel: 020 7594 6701
Email: abigail.smith@imperial.ac.uk
Notes to editors:
About Junior Research Fellowships
The Closing date for Applications is 30 November 2008. Further information and details at www.imperial.ac.uk/jrf
About Imperial College London
Imperial College London - rated the world's fifth best university in the 2007 Times Higher Education Supplement University Rankings - is a science-based institution with a reputation for excellence in teaching and research that attracts 12,000 students and 6,000 staff of the highest international quality.
Innovative research at the College explores the interface between science, medicine, engineering and business, delivering practical solutions that improve quality of life and the environment - underpinned by a dynamic enterprise culture.
Website: www.imperial.ac.uk
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