University of Liverpool Research Fellowship application guidance
We are delighted that you are considering applying for our Fellowship scheme. We hope that the information here will guide you through the application process and what happens once your application is submitted.
What we are looking for
Candidates will be expected to have a PhD in a discipline relating to their fellowship proposal, and at least three years of postdoctoral experience in an academic, research and development (R&D) or policy environment.
Candidates must apply against one of our defined frontier focus areas and clearly articulate their vision in their outline research proposal. Please do not apply for more than one focus area.
If you already hold a personal fellowship, you are also welcome to apply, but it is not a requirement for appointment.
Application documents
Please read this information carefully. There are three separate documents which will form your application to the first stage of our Research Fellowship Scheme:
- An application form
- A CV (two pages maximum in arial 11 font) which should cover the following:
- Education and qualifications
- Career history (roles, dates, key achievements)
- Selected outputs
- Up to five most significant (across REF categories: publications, IP, policy, exhibitions, software, datasets, etc.) - each with a short (50–100 words) statement of importance/impact.
- Details of research funding (awarded and applied for, value, funder, dates and your role)
- Teaching and supervision experience
- Prizes, awards and recognitions
- Collaborations and external engagement
- Leadership, training and mentoring (including EDI contributions)
- An outline research proposal.
Application links
We have provided a template for the outline research proposal along with the job descriptions and application form for each area on our e-recruitment site:
Wherever possible you should try and avoid duplicating information in the documents. Please complete and attach each document to your application form.
Host departments listed in each frontier focus area are purely indicative to aid the internal handling of applications. Successful candidates will be placed in the most appropriate University department for their discipline.
The selection process
Shortlisting
The shortlisting process consists of a review of your application form, CV and outline research proposal by a shortlisting panel.
Presentation and interview
Shortlisted candidates will be invited to:
- Submit a full research programme proposal
- Give an online presentation (via MSTeams or Zoom) of their proposal to a group which will include the relevant Dean, Head of Department and subject experts
- Attend an in-person interview in Liverpool
- During this visit, candidates will be given the opportunity to meet members of staff and tour the department and its facilities.
Application timeline
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An indicative timeline for the process is:
| 24 October 2025 | Launch of Fellowship Scheme |
| 1 December 2025 | Closing date for outline applications |
| W/C 2 February 2026 | Shortlisting decisions to candidates |
| 2 March 2026 | Closing date for full research cases |
| 16-27 March 2026 | Online presentations |
| W/C 13 April 2026 | In-person interviews at the University |