DERI Fellowship Opportunities

DERI is a recently established, interdisciplinary research institute designed to facilitate world-leading research into AI, and digital, and data science, uniting researchers from across all disciplines to collaborate to tackle global issues.

As a recently established institute, we are going through a period of rapid expansion and are keen to welcome early career researchers on prestigious fellowships who share our vision. DERI has a dedicated space, and hosts its own GPU HPC Cluster called Andrena, which Fellows would have access to. Fellows could expect to join a vibrant community of DERI based staff, and DERI/Alan Turing Institute Fellows who all contribute in various ways to our growing community. Fellows would be appointed a Research Mentor and would have access to a range of workshop and training opportunities through the Queen Mary Academy.

How to Apply

Royal Academy of Engineering Fellowship - EOI Deadline June 19th 2024

The Royal Academy of Engineering Fellowship has limited the number of applications that Queen Mary can submit and there will therefore be an internal selection process, ahead of submission to the funder. Those selected at the internal stage will be supported to prepare an application for the deadline in September 2024. The outcome of the internal selection is expected by mid July 2024.

To submit an expression of interest for the Royal Academy of Engineering Fellowship, please send the following documentation to deri@qmul.ac.uk by midday (12.00) on June 19th 2024. 

Expression of Interest Requirements (Royal Academy of Engineering Fellowship only). When preparing your expression of interest, we recommend you review the guidance for candidates available on the Fellowship webpage.

• Project title(10 words or less): The essence of the research should be captured in the title and should be as informative as possible. Please ensure that it is understandable to a non-specialist reader. For further information please see page 10 of the Guidance.
• Date PhD was awarded: if more than 4 years before 18th September 2024, please include your extenuating circumstances. For further information please see page 9 of the Guidance.
• Extended Abstract  (500 words): Describe the research in terms that can be understood by a non-specialist reader. What similar research is being/has been undertaken nationally and internationally, and how does your project differ? (For further information please see page 10 of Instructions). Describe the programme of work, indicating the research to be undertaken and the approximate milestones that can be used to measure progress. Include a project timeline and identify any risks and mitigating strategies you may use to manage them.  For further information please see page 12 of the Guidance.
• Timeliness and novelty (250 words): Describe why this research is important and why it should be conducted now. For further information please see page 11 of Instructions
• Collaborators (100 words): Provide details of any collaborations you may intend to create and/ or maintain during the Research Fellowship. Use this opportunity to show how you are connected to a wider network than just the host institution. For further information please see page 13 of the Guidance.
• Your CV (not more than 3 pages): The format and content of your CV is left to your discretion, but should include a list of publications. You may wish to indicate which publications you deem most significant and include a link to any that are open access. You do not need to include contact details as these are included earlier in the application form. Please also avoid personal information (e.g. gender, date of birth and nationality) in the CV. 

All other Fellowships - Various Deadlines

We encourage candidates to review our staff, and Fellow pages to identify potential overlaps with their research area of interest in the first instance. Alternatively, you can contact the DERI Director to discuss your research more if you would prefer.

Expressions of interest will be accepted throughout the year for Fellowships, and candidates should be mindful of funder's deadlines when applying. In general, we recommend submitting an expression of interest well in advance of the deadline of your chosen Fellowship, to allow time to prepare the application and associated costing as required. Expressions of interest received less than 6 weeks ahead of a given deadline may not be able to be supported.

For certain calls, this webpage will be updated with details of specific deadlines, or requirements to adhere to in order to be considered. Calls such as the UKRI Future Leaders Fellowships have a limit on the number of applications, as set by the funder, that Queen Mary University of London can submit and details of any additional steps required will be updated on this webpage as relevant. 

Your Expression of interest should consist of:

• A 2 page max. CV
• 2 page max. summary of their research proposal for the Fellowship, including:
  • Fit to DERI & Queen Mary University London, including identifying relevant DERI Academic/Fellow, or research group
  • Aims and Objectives of the Fellowships
  • Novelty and Feasibility of Proposed Project
  • Career Aspirations and how the Fellowship will support establishing, or transitioning to independence
  • Relevant Project Partners (if known)

Expressions of interest should be submitted to deri@qmul.ac.uk 

Selection Process

Expressions of interest  will be reviewed by a DERI review panel, and candidates will be informed of the outcome. We encourage candidates not to start working on a full application until they have received confirmation that we are able to support their application. Supported candidates will be helped with the application process, including preparing of the costings, and support with writing, and submitting the application.

Informal queries can be directed to the DERI Institute Manager on deri@qmul.ac.uk 

Links to Fellowships

The list below is designed to give applicants an idea of the Fellowships available that could be applied to via DERI. The deadlines for each will vary: 

MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships

Newton International Fellowship

Royal Academy of Engineering Fellowships 

Royal Commission for the Exhibition of 1851 Research Fellowship

Royal Society Dorothy Hodgkin Fellowship

Royal Society Industry Fellowship

Royal Society University Research Fellowship

Daphne Jackson Fellowship

EPSRC Fellowships

ERC Starting Grants

UKRI Future Leaders Fellowships