Open positions

Permanent jobs

Independent research fellowships (IRF)

Permanent faculty positions in Sheffield are currently available for holders of externally funded long-term research fellowships through the Sheffield Independent Research Fellowships (IRF) scheme. 

As part of its Sheffield IRF deal, the University commits to convert externally awarded fellowships with more than three years of funding into permanent lectureships (or higher grade as appropriate).

We describe below funding sources that are eligible for the IRF deal. Our group is always happy to discuss plans of prospective applicants for one of these fellowship schemes and support them throughout their application if they wish to indicate Sheffield as the host institution for the grant. 

If you plan to apply, contact us at least three months before the deadline. Email Tom Bridgeland as your first point of contact.

Eligible schemes for the IRF deal

The schemes below are open to excellent researchers at various career stages. They all provide at least four (usually five) years of funding including salary for the fellow, funds to create a research group, and support for research expenses (travel, and depending on the scheme costs for computing and/or conference organisation). There are no restrictions based on nationality or residence.

• Royal Society Fellowships

  • University Research Fellowships (8-years funding). Eligible candidates must have 3-8 years of post-doctoral experience, and should not hold yet a permanent academic post (or fellowship of equivalent length). Deadline in early September.

  • Dorothy Hodgkin Fellowships (8-years funding). Eligible candidates must have 3-8 years of post-doctoral experience, should not hold a permanent academic post, and should demonstrate the need for flexible support due to personal circumstances (such as caring/parental responsibilities or personal health circumstances). Deadline in November.

• EU European Research Council (ERC) grants

  • ERC Starting Grants (5-years funding): eligible candidates should have 2-7 years post-doc experience. Deadline in October.

  • ERC Consolidator Grants (5-years funding): 7-12 years post-doc experience. Deadline in February.

  • ERC Advanced Grants (5-years funding): more than 12 years post-doctoral experience. Deadline in August.

• Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) fellowships
  The Open Fellowship schemes of the EPSRC offer up to 5 years of funding and are eligible under the Sheffield IRF deal to a proleptic permanent position, whereas the EPSRC Postdoctoral scheme (up to three years) does not. Applications are usually  considered in two annual rounds, with typical deadlines in late February and late September.

• UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) Fellowships

  • Future Leader Fellowships (up to 4 years funding, extendable to a further three): these fellowships are for early career academics who are transitioning to forming an independent research group. There are no eligibility rules based on years since PhD or whether the applicant currently holds a permanent/open-ended academic position or job role. Two rounds of application per year, deadlines in May and October.

Postdoc jobs

Fellowship opportunities

We welcome enquiries if you are interested in joining us on an externally funded postdoc fellowship, with some possibilities listed below. 

Contact us at least two months (three months for Marie Curie fellowships) before the deadline indicated.

• EPSRC Postdoctoral Fellowships (up to three years of funding): eligible candidates should have a PhD by the start date but there are otherwise no strict requirements in terms of postdoc experience (although in practice this should be less than 5-6 years). Applications are considered in two annual rounds, usually with deadlines in late September  and late February.

• Marie Curie Individual Fellowships (two years funding): eligible candidates should have a PhD by the start date, but there are no restrictions in terms of post doc experience. There is an essential mobility eligibility criterion which requires applicants to not have resided in the UK for more than 12 months in the three years before the deadline. These fellowships are particularly generous but require a substantial amount of preparation; please contact a member of staff to assist you with it. Deadline in early September.

• Leverhulme Early Career Fellowships (three years funding): eligible candidates should have a UK PhD degree and no more than four years postdoc experience. Each University carries out an internal selection prior to submission, usually early in the year: contact us in November if you want our group to support you.

• Newton International Fellowships (three years funding): for early career junior researchers with less than seven years of postdoc experience, who are not UK citizens and are not currently based in the UK. Deadline in March.

• Royal Society for the Exhibition of 1851, Research Fellowships (three years funding): eligible candidates should have less than three years of postdoctoral experience. Deadline in Februrary.