Postdoctoral positions

The Astronomy Centre at the ÄûÃÊÊÓƵ welcomes candidates interested in applying for research fellowships to be held at Sussex. Our scientific research interests are tightly focused on the extra-galactic: cosmology and early universe; structure formation; clusters; galaxy formation and evolution. We address questions with a full combination of theoretical, numerical and observational techniques.

A variety of potential fellowships are available, including Royal Society University Research Fellowships, Ernest Rutherford Fellowships (STFC), Stephen Hawking Fellowships (UKRI), and Marie Curie (EU) fellowships.

Applications for all of these fellowships require significant preparation from our research services team and it is therefore essential you contact a member of the Astronomy Centre faculty with a connection to your proposed research as soon as possible. 

If you are also working on areas of interest to the Theoretical Particle Physics Group (TPP) then please contact them separately. More details can be found on /tpp/ . You are welcome to apply to both groups. 

We welcome applications from all qualified applicants, but applications are particularly encouraged from traditionally under-represented groups in science. 

Ernest Rutherford Fellowships 

Ernest Rutherford Fellowships (ERFs) are five-year fellowships funded by the STFC, with a deadline in September. They are open to candidates of any nationality, but each institution is limited in the total number of applications it can support. Consequently, we will review candidates applications and make a decision by late July on which to support. 

If interested in applying, please contact a member of the Astronomy Centre faculty with a connection to the proposed research no later than the end of June. Candidates should send an expression of interest to the Head of Astronomy - Professor Stephen Wilkins astro@sussex.ac.uk -  and their faculty contact by 30th June for full consideration. Please provide a 2-3 page research statement and a CV using the UKRI narrative template. Please also let us know whether you are interested in also being considered for the Royal Society University Research Fellowship (see below).

For further information, see

Royal Society University Research Fellowships

Royal Society University Research Fellowships are five-year fellowships (renewable for up to ten years in total) open to citizens of all nationalities. The Royal Society deadline is early September. 

If interested in applying, please contact an Astronomy Centre staff member with a connection to the proposed research, ideally no later than 30th June. Alternatively, if also applying for an Ernest Rutherford Fellowship, please follow the instructions above and indicate that you would also like to apply for a Royal Society University Research Fellowship with us.

For further information see

Marie Skłodowska-Curie actions

The Marie Skłodowska-Curie scheme includes Individual Fellowships intended to add significantly to the development of the best and most-promising researchers active in Europe. These are for trans-national researchers, including researchers coming to Europe and those moving within Europe. The deadline for the next round of Individual Fellowships has not yet been announced, but we expect it to be in September.

If interested in applying, please contact an Astronomy Centre staff member with a connection to the proposed research.

For more information on the current round of Individual Fellowships, please see here

For more details on other Marie Skłodowska-Curie actions please see here

Stephen Hawking Fellowships

The UKRI Stephen Hawking Fellowships (SHF), delivered jointly by EPSRC and STFC, will support and develop the next generation of excellent scientists in theoretical physics at the beginning of their career. Theoretical physics is defined quite broadly, so please look at the website if interested. This is a more junior level position than the STFC ERF and you can not simultaneously apply to both in the same round. The SHF also requires a strong commitment to outreach and public engagement. The deadline for application is anticipated to be due in November.

If interested in applying, please contact an Astronomy Centre staff member with a connection to the proposed research.

Please follow the link for further information –

Royal Astronomical Society Fellowships

RAS postdoctoral Fellowships provide support for up to 3 years for early career research astronomers and geophysicists. Applications are restricted to candidates who have a recognized PhD (or equivalent) obtained no more than 5 years before the start of their position or who have taken their viva before the application deadline and expect to be awarded the PhD by the time of appointment. These are offered on a 3-year cycle.

If interested in applying, please contact an Astronomy Centre staff member with a connection to the proposed research. 

For further information see

Future Leaders Fellowships

Future Leaders Fellowships will grow the strong supply of talented individuals needed to ensure a vibrant environment for research and innovation in the UK. The scheme is open to researchers and innovators from across business, universities, and other organisations.

If interested in applying, please contact an Astronomy Centre staff member with a connection to the proposed research. 

1851 Research Fellowships

1851 Research Fellowships are 3-year research fellowships open to scientists with less than 3 years postdoctoral experience and are funded by the Royal Commission for the Exhibition of 1851.

If interested in applying, please contact an Astronomy Centre staff member with a connection to the proposed research. 

For further information see

Royal Society Dorothy Hodgkin Fellowships

Royal Society Dorothy Hodgkin Fellowships offer a recognised first step into an independent research career for outstanding scientists and engineers at an early stage of their research career who require a flexible working pattern due to personal circumstances, such as parenting or caring responsibilities or health issues. The Royal Society deadline for applications is in November but applications will need to be started well before this.

If interested in applying, please contact an Astronomy Centre staff member with a connection to the proposed research.

For further information see

Daphne Jackson Fellowships

Daphne Jackson Fellowships offer STEM professionals the opportunity to return to a research career after a break of two or more years for a family, health or caring reason. It is the opportunity to balance a personalised retraining programme with a challenging research project, held in a supportive UK university or research establishment. It is possible to apply for a Daphne Jackson Fellowship at any time. 

If interested in applying, please contact an Astronomy Centre staff member with a connection to the proposed research. 

For more information, please see here