Independent Research Fellowships

Excellence in research and teaching

The Department of Chemistry is a large and successful department in an attractive University with an excellent reputation for teaching and research). The excellence of Chemistry at York has been recognised in our league table rankings - 7th in the Complete University Guide 2024 and 7th for 'Research Power' in the 2021 REF.  

We have about 60 members of academic staff including five Fellows of the Royal Society and several national and international prize winners, contributing to a dynamic and thriving department. There are over 620 undergraduate students, over 160 graduate students (mostly studying for PhD degrees) and more than 70 postdoctoral researchers. We have a wide range of facilities and well-equipped laboratories, some very recently extended and modernised, providing an excellent environment for both teaching and research; £35M has been spent on new buildings and equipment in the last ten years. 

Commitment to equality and diversity

We recognise the importance of equal participation, progression and success for all. The Department of Chemistry strives to provide a working, learning, social and living environment that will enable all our staff and students to contribute fully, to flourish and to excel.

The Department is committed to the Athena SWAN Charter which focuses on recognising advancement of gender equality.  In particular, we recognise the importance of the equal participation of women at all levels in a subject that has traditionally been, and remains, male-dominated.

Chemistry at York was the first academic department in the UK to receive the Athena SWAN Gold award, held continuously since 2007. In 2017 we celebrated 10 years of holding an Athena SWAN Gold award and in May 2019 we received our most recent Gold award.

Please see the department's Equality and Diversity pages for more information. 

Strong track record of supporting independent fellows

The Department of Chemistry at York has significant experience and history in hosting research fellowships, and many of our former fellows have gone on to successful academic careers, here and elsewhere. The Department provides support for all categories of staff in their career development and encourages the take-up of training opportunities including those provided by the award-winning York Researcher Professional Development & Skills Programme. 

York Research Fellowship Programme

The University's Research Fellowship Programme supports talented early-career researchers who would like to hold a fellowship at York. Once you join us as a fellowship holder, the programme will support your ongoing development, allowing your research career to flourish.

Key aspects of the Research Fellowship Programme include:

• Development and support for outstanding prospective candidates to help you to succeed in gaining your fellowship
• Ongoing training and development opportunities throughout your fellowship
• The opportunity to apply for a funded extension to your fellowship to work on your research ideas, develop entrepreneurial, policy-related, or civic engagement activities, or to engage with new audiences, user communities, or international connections

Researcher Development Concordat

The University of York has been successful in retaining the European Commission (EC) HR Excellence in Research Award, reviewed after six years (one of eight UK Universities to do so). The award recognises an institution’s commitment to implementing the UK Concordat to Support the Career Development of Researchers. 

The Researcher Development Concordat 2019 is structured around three Principles:

• Environment and Culture - Healthy working environments attract and develop a more diverse workforce, impact positively on individual and institutional performance, and enhance staff engagement.
• Employment - This principle recognises the importance of fair, transparent, and merit-based recruitment, progression and promotion, effective performance management, and a good work-life balance.
• Professional and Career Development - Researchers must be equipped and supported to be adaptable and flexible in an increasingly diverse global research environment and employment market.

There are many different fellowship schemes from different funders. Each scheme will have different eligibility criteria and application processes. 

If you are interested in applying to a scheme that is not listed below please contact us.

Funder	Scheme	Duration	Eligibility
	Postdoctoral Fellowships	3 years	Postdoctoral fellowships are only available in certain priority areas
	Open Fellowships	5 years
	Independent Research Fellowships	5 years
	Discovery Fellowships	3 years	<5 years post PhD
‌	Future Leaders Fellowships	4+3 years	(Please contact us directly if you are interested in this fellowship.)
	Early Career Fellowships	3 years	<4 years post PhD
	University Research Fellowships	8 years	3-8 years post PhD
	Dorothy Hodgkin Fellowships	8 years	<6 years post PhD need for flexible support
‌	Early-Career Awards	5 years	<3 years post PhD (some flexibility)
	Career Development Awards	8 years	independent researcher (usually already hold a fellowship at time of application or are within three years of your first academic appointment)
	Research Fellowships	3 years	<3 years post PhD
	Ramsay Memorial Fellowships	2 years	50%+ salary match would need to be sought
	Daphne Jackson Fellowships	2 years	after a career break of two or more years
‌	Marie Skłodowska-Curie Postdoctoral Fellowships	2 or 3 years
	European Research Council Starting Grant	5 years	2-7 years post PhD

Other schemes

• Newton International Fellowships
• The Branco Weiss Fellowship - Society in Science
• Royal Society of Edinburgh funding opportunities
• The US-UK Fulbright Commission
• Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS)
• Canon Foundation Research Fellowships
• Lindemann Trust Fellowships

*Dependent on match funding availability