STFC Ernest Rutherford Fellowships

Information on fellowships for early-career researchers in astronomy, solar and planetary science, particle physics, particle astrophysics, cosmology and nuclear physics
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STFC Ernest Rutherford Fellowships

Information on fellowships for early-career researchers in astronomy, solar and planetary science, particle physics, particle astrophysics, cosmology and nuclear physics
The Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) offer fellowships each year to early-career researchers in astronomy, solar and planetary science, particle physics, particle astrophysics, cosmology and nuclear physics. A quota system applies for each university and so the department runs an annual internal selection process for this scheme.  
We are pleased to announce our 2026 internal University of Plymouth competition to select a scientist to submit an application to the Ernest Rutherford Fellowship (ERF).
Our internal deadline is Friday 3 July 2026, 17:00.
STFC deadline: Wednesday 30 September 2026, 17:00.
Please note that applications to the STFC ERF where the fellowship is intended to be held at the University of Plymouth must be made via the process outlined below to ensure you have approved support from the proposed host department.
The ERF provides five years of external funding to enable early career researchers with clear leadership potential to establish a strong, independent resarch programme.  
If you have any queries on the process please contact the Research and Knowledge Exchange Funding Managers at researchadvice@plymouth.ac.uk 
Informal enquiries can go to Dr Craig McNeile within the Theoretical Physics Research Group.
Female researcher with microscope

Eligibility
The ERFs are intended for early career researchers who do not hold a tenured academic position at lecturer level. You are not eligible if you currently hold an academic position at lecturer level or the equivalent in institutions other than universities. If you secure an academic position at lecturer level prior to the offer of a fellowship, you will be ineligible to hold the fellowship. Applicants can refer to STFC's competency profile to determine if they are at the correct career stage. 
The scheme is open to applicants of any nationality. Please refer to information from the previous round about the STFC Ernest Rutherford Fellowship 2025 call, including the eligibility criteria which must be carefully considered.
The University of Plymouth welcomes fellowship applicants from diverse backgrounds, and individuals from underrepresented groups are particularly encouraged to apply. Please reach out to our Research and Knowledge Exchange Managers if you wish to discuss your individual circumstances with a member of the team, including if you have any accessibility requirements for the application or internal selection process. 
The ERF scheme encourages people to work in a way that suits their personal circumstances. We encourage applications from a diverse range of researchers.
We support people to work in a way that suits their personal circumstances. This includes:
  • career breaks
  • support for people with caring responsibilities
  • flexible working
  • alternative working patterns

Institutional support
Applicants must identify and work with a host academic at the University of Plymouth to develop their proposal:
  • Internal applicants should arrange appropriate discussions with the relevant host department in advance of this sift application
  • External applicants please contact someone in your relevant research area ahead of your sift application, to ensure support from the relevant department that would be hosting your fellowship. 
You can browse our current research activity, institutes and departments on our Research and expertise and School of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics pages. The Theoretical Physics Research Group research pages may be of interest for applicants.  

If you are unsure who best to contact, please email the Research and Knowledge Exhange Funding Managers and we will be happy to guide you.

How to apply
As STFC operate a quota system, the University will perform an internal triage, with an EOI stage.  
To be considered as a candidate to be put forward by the University, please submit a completed Expression of Interest Form to researchadvice@plymouth.ac.uk by 17:00 on Friday 3 July 2026. External candidates to contact the Research and KE Funding Managers to receive a copy of the form. 
EOI sections include:
  • Project title
  • Applicant name, email address, current institution
  • Vision
  • Approach
  • Capability to deliver
  • Career development
  • Research publications or outputs
Use of this EOI format is mandatory, no other form of CV will be considered.

Assessment and decisions
  • We will assess your EOI using the criteria described in the five sections of the application form.
  • Decision will be made after panel assessment. Applications outcome is expected as soon as possible after 21 July 2026.
  • If you are selected as a candidate to be put forward for an STFC Ernest Rutherford Fellowship, we will work with you to prepare your application using the full ERF assessment criteria; there will be further communications on internal deadlines for a draft of the full application, to ensure time for feedback, peer reviews and necessary approvals.
  • The UKRI deadline for the full application to STFC is 30 September 2026, 16:00.
Apply now

To be considered as a candidate to be put forward, please submit the Expression of Interest form to researchadvice@plymouth.ac.uk by 17:00 on Friday 3 July 2026. External candidates to contact the Research and KE Funding Managers to receive a copy of the form.