At a Glance
- Tasks: Apply for the Emerging Talent Award to boost your research career and gain recognition.
- Company: Society of Spanish Researchers in the UK, promoting innovation and talent.
- Benefits: £14,000 award for career development and a commemorative sculpture.
- Other info: Encouraging applications from women and under-represented groups.
- Why this job: Make an impact in your field and connect with leading researchers.
- Qualifications: Spanish nationality, 2-10 years post-PhD experience, and research expertise in Natural Sciences or Engineering.
The predicted salary is between 14000 - 14000 £ per year.
The Society of Spanish Researchers in the United Kingdom (SRUK/CERU) announces the eleventh edition of the “SRUK/CERU Emerging Talent Award”. The objective of this award is to recognise and support a young Spanish researcher with an outstanding professional trajectory in the UK, as well as to facilitate the dissemination of the prize-winner’s research to both Spanish and British societies. This award is targeted to researchers who have demonstrated high potential, strong scientific outputs and mentoring and leadership qualities. Banco Santander Foundation sponsors this award under its “Young Talent” programme.
The award will consist of £14,000 to be invested in any aspect necessary for the development of the prize-winner’s career such as research-related tasks, acquisition of equipment, dissemination of recent results, specialised training for the researcher, family and working-life balance support, etc. Activities that are in line with SRUK/CERU aims are especially encouraged. The prize-winner will also receive a commemorative sculpture made by the Spanish artist Cristina Iglesias.
Requirements for Candidates
- The candidate must demonstrate their research expertise in the fields of Natural Sciences or Engineering.
- The candidate must be of Spanish nationality and have spent at least 3 years of their research career in the United Kingdom immediately prior to applying for the award.
- The candidate must have between two and ten years of experience following their doctorate and must not have held an independent academic position by more than five years prior to the date of the application deadline.
- Justifiable career breaks include maternity leave (18 months or longer by the documented amount of leave actually taken for each child born before or after the PhD award), paternity leave, adoption, serious sickness or caring responsibilities will be taken into consideration.
- The jury reserves the right to request documentation for these.
- The candidate cannot have received the award in previous years.
- The candidate must be a regular member of SRUK/CERU at the time of application.
- Non-members of SRUK/CERU are welcome to apply as long as they fulfil all the requirements to become a regular member and they register before submitting this award application.
- Becoming a member of SRUK/CERU is immediate and it only requires filling in a form and paying the corresponding fee.
- SRUK/CERU supports gender equity and strongly encourages application from women and under-represented groups.
Documents Required
- Applicants must submit a Narrative CV structured as follows: Summary of the profile (max. 500 words). This section could be used to give a general background of the applicant profile.
- Four sections (max. 500 words each):
- Contributions to the Generation of New Ideas, Tools, Methodologies, or Knowledge
- Contribution and Recognition by the Research and Innovation Community
- Development of Others and Maintenance of Effective Working Relationships
- Contributions to Broader Research or Innovation Users and Audiences
- Motivation letter (maximum 2 pages A4, font Arial 11, 2 cm margin) explaining how the candidate will make use of the prize (research, dissemination, training, help for family-working-life balance, etc.) and the impact the award will have on the development of the candidate’s research career.
- Details of a referee (senior researcher in the discipline of the candidate). If needed, SRUK/CERU may contact the referee for further information, once the candidate has been shortlisted.
Evaluation
The applications will be assessed by a selection of members of the Scientific Advisory Board using the official evaluation criteria. The final awardee will be decided by a mixed jury, composed of members of the Board of Directors of SRUK/CERU, members of the Banco Santander Foundation and other partner institutions. We intend to inform the recipient of the Emerging Talent Award at the end of summer 2026. Note that depending on the number of applications received SRUK/CERU might be unable to provide feedback to unsuccessful candidates.
Award Ceremony
The ceremony will take place in an emblematic location in the United Kingdom, in the presence of the Director of Banco Santander Foundation and the President of SRUK/CERU. The date will be agreed on by the organisation and the prize-winner. The ceremony will include the presentation of the award and a talk given by the winner about their work and professional career. A reception and networking event will be held at the end of the ceremony. The prize-winner’s travel and accommodation expenses will be covered.
In case of disagreement between the English and Spanish versions of these Terms and Conditions, the English version shall prevail. By applying to the SRUK/CERU Emerging Talent Award 2026 you agree with our Terms and Conditions. SRUK/CERU will share your data with reviewers and other members of the assessment panel to carry out the assessment process. You can consult our full terms and conditions regarding data sharing on https://sruk.org.uk/privacy-policy/.
SRUK/CERU XI Emerging Talent Award 2026 employer: Spanish Researchers in the United Kingdom (SRUK/CERU)
The Society of Spanish Researchers in the United Kingdom (SRUK/CERU) is an exceptional employer that champions young talent through its Emerging Talent Award, offering a generous £14,000 prize to support innovative research and career development. With a strong commitment to gender equity and inclusivity, SRUK/CERU fosters a collaborative work culture that encourages mentorship and professional growth, making it an ideal environment for aspiring researchers looking to make a meaningful impact in both Spanish and British scientific communities.
Contact Details:
Spanish Researchers in the United Kingdom (SRUK/CERU) Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land SRUK/CERU XI Emerging Talent Award 2026
✨Join Research Communities
Dive into local or online scientific research communities where you can connect with professionals and other trainees. Platforms like ResearchGate or attending academic conferences can open doors for you and give you insight into the latest happenings in your field. Plus, these connections can lead to valuable recommendations when you're applying!
✨Utilise University Career Services
As a trainee looking to step into scientific research, don’t underestimate your university's career services! They often have relationships with labs and research facilities looking for eager trainees. Chat with them about internships or trainee programmes and make sure you're on their radar for upcoming opportunities.
✨Get Hands-On Experience
Try to engage in volunteering opportunities or research assistant roles, even if they're unpaid. This experience not only boosts your CV but you also get to shine in real scientific environments. It can also help you figure out what specific area of research you’re passionate about!
✨Showcase Your Skills Online
Create an online portfolio highlighting projects, research papers, or relevant coursework that shows off your skills and interests. Use platforms like GitHub for coding-related projects, or simply a personal website to showcase your academic work. This gives you something concrete to share when reaching out to organisations like Spanish Researchers in the United Kingdom (SRUK/CERU) about the SRUK/CERU XI Emerging Talent Award 2026 position!
We think you need these skills to ace SRUK/CERU XI Emerging Talent Award 2026
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Research Skills:Since you're applying for a trainee role in scientific research, make sure to highlight any lab experience, coursework, or projects you’ve worked on. If you have any research papers or posters from conferences, consider including them or referencing them in your application to showcase your practical experience.
Tailor Your CV for the Science World:In the scientific research field, your CV should focus on your technical skills and any specific methodologies you're familiar with. Don't forget to include relevant lab techniques, software you’ve used, and any specific areas of science you've studied. It's all about demonstrating your readiness to jump into research right from the get-go.
Craft a Passionate Cover Letter:As a trainee, your cover letter should reflect your enthusiasm for scientific inquiry and your eagerness to learn. Talk about why you're interested in the research being done at Spanish Researchers in the United Kingdom (SRUK/CERU) and how it aligns with your career goals. Make it personal – let your excitement for science shine through!
Hit Us With Your Academic Achievements:Don't shy away from showcasing your academic record! If you've excelled in relevant subjects or received any honours, make sure this is front and centre in your application. This is your chance to prove you've got the theoretical knowledge to back up your practical skills.
How to prepare for a job interview at Spanish Researchers in the United Kingdom (SRUK/CERU)
✨Know Your Science Basics
In scientific research, they may throw some technical questions your way, so be ready to tackle topics related to your field. Brush up on fundamental concepts and be prepared to discuss any relevant experiments or methodologies you’ve encountered in your studies—it shows you have a solid grasp of the subject matter!
✨Showcase Your Enthusiasm for Learning
As a trainee, your motivation and eagerness to learn are golden. Make sure to share examples of your past experiences—like projects or labs—where you went above and beyond to gain knowledge. This will demonstrate to Spanish Researchers in the United Kingdom (SRUK/CERU) that you're ready to dive into the science and absorb everything like a sponge!
✨Know Your Tools and Techniques
Be familiar with the specific tools and technologies used in the lab, like lab equipment or software for data analysis. Having a basic understanding of how to use these can score you major points in your interview—don’t hesitate to mention any hands-on experience you’ve had with them!
✨Prepare for Teamwork Questions
Scientific research is often a team effort, so expect questions that assess your collaboration skills. Be ready to talk about any group projects from your studies where you contributed or learned from others. Highlighting your ability to work well with others will show Spanish Researchers in the United Kingdom (SRUK/CERU) that you're a good fit for their lab culture.
