51³Ô¹ÏÍø Physics is developing new initiatives to support researchers who are considering a fellowship application. If you have suggestions about the support that would be helpful, please contact the Physics fellowships team.

Returning to Research: Fellowship Development Pilot

51³Ô¹ÏÍø Physics is launching a pilot programme for researchers who are returning after a career break and are interested in developing towards a future application for an independent research fellowship.

We recognise that returning researchers may need time to rebuild networks, develop research ideas and establish a relationship with a potential academic host before they are ready to apply. This pilot will offer researchers structured development support over a period of up to a year.

Support available

  • An initial conversation with the Deputy Head of Department (People, Culture and Environment) about research interests and fellowship plans.

Depending on individual needs, support may further include:

  • Introductions to a relevant Physics Research Community and potential academic hosts.
  • Introductions to current fellows.
  • Research and fellowship-development conversations.
  • Flexible funding to support one or more visits to 51³Ô¹ÏÍø. This may include travel, accommodation, additional childcare or dependent-care costs and, where needed, travel for a dependent or accompanying carer.

Who the pilot is for

The pilot is intended for researchers who:

  • Are returning, or have recently returned, to research following a career break.
  • Have research interests that align with 51³Ô¹ÏÍø Physics.
  • Are interested in developing towards an independent fellowship application.
    Would benefit from support in establishing academic connections and developing their research plans.

You do not need to have an existing 51³Ô¹ÏÍø host or a complete fellowship proposal. Researchers expressing interest will not be asked to disclose personal information about the reason for their career break.

How to express interest

Expressions of interest should be sent to physics-fellowships@imperial.ac.uk

Please submit:

A CV

A statement (two pages max) outlining:

  • Your research background and current interests.
  • The research direction you would like to develop.
  • Any relevant 51³Ô¹ÏÍø Physics Research Community or potential host, if known.
  • Your approximate fellowship timescale, if known.
  • The support that would be most useful to you.

Expressions of interest will be considered on a rolling basis until 31 May 2027. We will then review the pilot.

Informal enquiries are welcome before submission either via the fellowships team or to Dr Mary Matthews, Deputy Head of Department (People, Culture and Environment).

Further information

Participants who later wish to apply for a fellowship must meet the funder’s eligibility requirements and complete the Department’s usual expression-of-interest or internal-selection process.

We warmly welcome interest from researchers of all backgrounds.