The University of Birmingham has secured European Union MSCA COFUND funding to launch the MOBILITY Fellowship, a competitive pump-priming scheme for exceptional early career researchers. This fellowship supports postdoctoral researchers in building the track record, skills, and preliminary data needed to compete successfully for prestigious independent funding — such as NIHR Postdoctoral Awards, ERC Starting Grants, UKRI Future Leaders Fellowships, and Wellcome/MRC Career Development Awards.
The fellowship provides salary support for up to five years alongside a research budget and is open to both internal and external candidates. Fellows are expected to apply for an independent fellowship within the first 36 months of appointment. Where an independent fellowship is secured, the Fellow will transfer to it as soon as practicable, at which point the MOBILITY contract will conclude.
Fellows will be embedded in a high-quality research environment within a STEM discipline and supported by a senior academic mentor.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop and advance an independent research programme, with mentorship as appropriate
- Lead or contribute significantly to research funding bids and fellowship applications
- Collect, analyse, and interpret research data using methods appropriate to the discipline
- Publish research outputs and present findings at seminars, conferences, and as posters
- Contribute to the development of new models, techniques, and methods
- Provide guidance to postgraduate students and support staff where relevant
- Contribute to departmental research activities and associated administration
- Promote equality, diversity, and inclusion, acting as a role model within the research community
Person specification
- PhD in a relevant STEM discipline (awarded or imminent)
- Demonstrable competitive track record in research, including publications, awards, or other esteem indicators commensurate with career stage
- A research proposal in active development, suitable for submission to a major funding body within the first year of appointment
- Clear strategy for using the fellowship to strengthen competitiveness for independent external funding (e.g. completing outputs, gaining complementary skills, or generating preliminary data)
- High-level analytical capability and ability to interpret complex data
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to write for both academic and funding audiences
- Fluency in techniques and methods relevant to the research area, with the ability to contribute to their development
- Ability to manage own workload, meet deadlines, and coordinate effectively with colleagues
- Knowledge of the Equality Act 2010 and a commitment to fair and inclusive practice in day-to-day work
- Informal enquiries can be made to Tim Giles (t.giles@bham.ac.uk)
MOBILITY Fellow in Birmingham employer: SMRS
At SMRS, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that champions diversity and inclusion while fostering a supportive work culture. As an Operations & Resource Coordinator in our Manchester office, you'll benefit from 30 days of annual leave, hybrid working arrangements, and a commitment to your professional growth through training budgets and internal coaching. Join us to be part of a team that values your contributions and empowers you to make a meaningful impact.
