Research fellowship opportunities
The Astrophysics Research Institute (ARI) warmly welcomes applications from candidates interested in applying for personal research fellowships at Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU). The ARI’s diverse research portfolio, spanning observational, theoretical and computational astrophysics, and astronomy instrumentation, makes the institute an ideal host for these fellowships, offering many natural synergies that complement independent research programmes.
Interested candidates are advised to contact the ARI’s head of research, Professor Robert Crain (r.a.crain@ljmu.ac.uk) at the earliest opportunity. The institute typically conducts an internal selection process for fellowship applications, to ensure that submitted proposals are high quality. We usually request an expression of interest (EOI) from interested candidates 3 months prior to the fellowship deadline. EOIs typically consist of a one page summary of your proposed research project, a statement motivating the ARI as the chosen host institute, a CV and a publications list.
The ARI is committed to advancing equality and diversity and ensuring an inclusive culture. We welcome applications from scientists of any ethnic group, gender, nationality or sexual orientation. The university supports flexible working patterns and the enhanced parental leave conditions often provided by research council-funded fellowships. Applications are welcome from applicants who are returning from a career break or those working outside of academia.
If you wish to discuss your individual circumstances, or if you have any accessibility or accommodation requirements for the application or internal selection processes, please contact the ARI’s head of research, Professor Robert Crain (r.a.crain@ljmu.ac.uk) and/or the ARI’s head of equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI), Professor Shiho Kobayashi (S.Kobayashi@ljmu.ac.uk). Discover the institute’s approach to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) matters.
Below we provide details of the key fellowships open to astrophysicists. This list is not exhaustive and we welcome interest from applicants from all applicable fellowships.
Open calls
The ARI has selected its candidates to apply for the 2024 STFC Ernest Rutherford Fellowship (ERF) and the Royal Society University Research Fellowship (URF). The Royal Society Dorothy Hodgkin Fellowship (DHF) scheme will open later this year, and eligible candidates are encouraged to contact Professor Robert Crain to informally discuss the submission of applications with LJMU as the host institution.
We also welcome at this time informal expressions of interest from candidates for the Marie Skłodowska Curie Postdoctoral Fellowships.
We welcome enquiries from senior colleagues based overseas who are interested in applying for Royal Society Visiting Fellowship. Applicants must be nominated by the host institution, so interested parties are encouraged to make contact as soon as possible, providing a short (1-2 sides of A4) case for the visit, articulating plans for collaboration with ARI/LJMU staff, and a narrative format curriculum vitae. The ARI's internal deadline for expressions of interest is Friday 11th October. We regret that we cannot at present support applications for the Royal Society Wolfson Fellowship.
Current and past fellows
- Dr. Gavin Lamb, Royal Society Dorothy Hodgkin Fellowship, awarded in 2023
- Dr. Jonathan Henshaw, Royal Society University Research Fellowship, awarded in 2023
- Dr. Robert Grand, Science & Technology Facilities Council Ernest Rutherford Fellowship, awarded in 2022
- Dr. Renske Smit, Science & Technology Facilities Council Ernest Rutherford Fellowship, awarded in 2019
- Dr. Sebastian Kamann, United Kingdom Research & Innovation Future Leaders Fellowship, awarded in 2019
- Prof. Ian McCarthy, European Research Council Consolidator Grant, awarded in 2018
- Prof. Nate Bastian, European Research Council Consolidator Grant, awarded in 2015
- Prof. Robert Crain, Royal Society University Research Fellowship, awarded in 2014
- Prof. Nate Bastian, Royal Society University Research Fellowship, awarded in 2012
- Dr. Andreea Font, Royal Society Dorothy Hodgkin Fellowship, awarded in 2012
- Prof. Ian McCarthy, Science & Technology Facilities Council Advanced Fellowship, awarded in 2011