Category: Career Opportunities, Internships & Volunteering

DT Prime Cohort Applications Open

Applications open today for DT Prime Cohort 6 and close on 18 Sept. DT Prime is a pre-commercial venture builder for deep science, run through the Institute for Deep Tech Entrepreneurship. We back ambitious, IP-rich projects that could become venture-scale spinouts or strategic licensing opportunities. Apply here: https://imperiallondon.sharepoint.com/sites/ICBS_DT-Prime

What is DT Prime?

A university venture builder, applying the discipline of an investor. Non-dilutive capital and close, hands-on support – intended to prepare Imperial’s science for institutional investment. Addressing the whole venture: strategy, market, technology, team and IP. Funding staged against value-inflection milestones, with further cycles where merited. DT Prime addresses the four dimensions of deep-tech venture creation:

Technology: managed de-risking, with experiments designed against investor-relevant value inflections.

Market: understanding of market potential, competitive positioning and first commercial application – developed through customer and industry conversations.

Team: support to transition from primarily scientific expertise toward the commercial leadership investors expect.

Funding: non-dilutive capital paired with expert venture-building support – typically £50k-£150k per cycle, staged across multiple cycles up to £500k as ventures reach investment readiness.

Each cycle runs for up to 9 months; ventures may complete one, two or three cycles depending on starting point. Open to academic staff across all faculties.

We welcome applications from Imperial researchers working on IP-rich, translationally relevant technologies across all four DT Prime portfolio domains – biotechnology platforms, medtech and digital health, IT hardware, and sustainable technologies. You should consider applying if:

  • your project is at or beyond proof of concept;
  • you’re interested in translation but don’t yet have a business plan or full IP strategy;
  • there’s a clear technical or commercial risk that, if addressed, could make the project more investable;
  • you’re open to working with experienced Venture Builders to shape your direction.

 

What’s involved?

Successful applicants work hands-on with a dedicated DT Prime Venture Builder to identify the investor-relevant value inflections their venture must reach, and to execute the targeted programme of work to get there. Support addresses the whole venture – technology, market, team and funding – staged across one or more cycles, with strategic mentoring and milestone reviews reinforcing progress.

New applicants:

  • Step 1 – Expression of Interest: a short (~1,000-word) online form on scientific novelty, translational ambition and early milestone thinking. Deadline 18 September 2026. Apply here: https://imperiallondon.sharepoint.com/sites/ICBS_DT-Prime
  • Step 2 – Full Application (by invitation): selected applicants submit a full proposal including budget, milestones and team details, by 16 October 2026.
  • Step 3 – Interview: final-stage applicants are interviewed on 3 & 4 November 2026.

 

Returning (previously funded) teams:

If your venture has been funded on DT Prime previously, apply through the Progression Route, not the EOI. Email the DT Prime team at applications.dt-prime@imperial.ac.uk to register your interest so we can plan numbers, then submit a Progression Application (with budget, execution plan and a short video) by 16 October 2026.

Cohort 6 will be confirmed by Friday 6 November 2026, with project scoping and funding starting immediately after.

Still unsure?

You don’t need a full business plan or IP strategy to apply – just great science and the ambition to see it make a difference. To discuss whether DT Prime is the right fit, speak with me (your Associate Dean of Enterprise) or your Enterprise Champion, or contact the DT Prime team at applications.dt-prime@imperial.ac.uk.

Key dates

Milestone Date
Applications open (EOI) 2 September 2026
EOI deadline 18 September 2026
Full Application (by invitation) deadline 16 October 2026
Progression Application deadline (returning teams) 16 October 2026
Interview dates 3 & 4 November 2026
Cohort confirmed 6 November 2026
Projects complete by 31 July 2027

5050 Company Creation Programme for Researchers

Last call: Applications are open for 5050

A free, part-time company-creation programme for researchers, powered by the UK government’s ARIA (the Advanced Research and Invention Agency, allocated £1 billion in the April 2025 spending review), built to help scientists and engineers tackle big problems.

Part-time. Bolts alongside existing research commitments. No idea or existing company required.

Through 5050, 115 scientists and engineers have founded impact-oriented startups, with a 96% seed raise success rate.

Alumni consistently share that it’s the best use of their time. Hear more from them.

Researchers get mentorship from mission-oriented founders like Scott Phoenix (raised $250M for Vicarious, acquired by Alphabet) and Sir Tony Kouzarides (co-founded Storm, Chroma and Abcam, sold for $5.7B).

5050 is run by the team who’ve supported 135 impactful companies to raise $6B.

Designed for scientists and engineers — you’d be a good fit if:

  • You’re exploring how to turn your research into a company
  • You’re ready and excited to build something outside your current work
  • You’re not sure if now’s the right time, but you’re keen to have a real-world impact

Applications are open for the September–December cohort here!

Know someone who could be great? Recommend them here 😊

Get involved at Imperial Lates 2026-27

Imperial Lates are returning this autumn with three exciting new themes. These fun and free post-work events are a great night out, as well as a fantastic opportunity for Imperial staff and students to get experience in public engagement in a laid-back setting.

Whether you’re a seasoned Public Engagement expert or have never taken your work outside the lab, the Lates team wants to hear from you! Fully developed activities or initial ideas are equally welcome, and the team can help you to develop your proposition into a talk, exhibit or workshop.

Please complete the open call Qualtrics form to register your interest, and if you have any questions about the ideas submission process, please get in touch via email (lates@imperial.ac.uk)

This year’s themes are:

  1. Robots (29 October 2026) – we are looking for any research or projects related to robots, tech or automation. We are also open to some ideas about AI and machine learning. To be considered please submit your idea as soon as possible, and definitely by 25 August 2026 (17:00).
  2. African Science (3 December 2026) – This event will celebrate research collaborations across the African continent and showcase how research and innovation projects involving Imperial teams creating impact on the ground. To be considered, please submit your proposal as soon as possible, and no later than 5 October 2026 (17:00).
  3. Staying Connected (28 Jan 2027) – we would be interested in research projects looking at any aspect that helps improve the ability to stay connected in the modern day – anything from satellites, telecommunications, attraction, networks, internet, social media, social isolation, policies around remote working, digital inclusions or activities that support networking and building connections. This event may also have links to Valentines Day and/or LGBTQ+ History Month. Please submit your idea by 17 November 2026 (17:00).

If none of these quite fit with your area of expertise, you can still get involved as a volunteer! Volunteers keep everything running smoothly and can have a go at several roles, such as welcoming guests, supporting researchers or artists taking part in a workshop or talk or capturing social media content for Imperial channels. If you are an Imperial staff member or student interested in volunteering at Imperial Lates, you can sign up to the volunteer portal to be notified when shifts open.

2027–28 Azrieli International Postdoctoral Fellowship (deadline: 11 Nov)

The 2027–28 Azrieli International Postdoctoral Fellowship supports outstanding postdoctoral researchers from any discipline based at academic institutions in Israel, providing a monthly stipend of 14,000 NIS for up to three years.

The deadline for applications is November 11, 2026.

Please note that applicants must secure an academic sponsor in Israel prior to submitting their application.

Azrieli International Visiting PhD Fellowship (deadline: 15 Sept)

The Azrieli International Visiting PhD Fellowship allows PhD candidates to undertake short-term research stays at top universities in Israel, offering 12,000 NIS per month over a four-month period. Spring 2027 applications must be submitted by September 15, 2026.

Please note that applicants must secure an academic sponsor in Israel prior to submitting their application.

Paid opportunity with Sustainable Imperial – Workshop Facilitator (deadline: 08 Sept)

Sustainable Imperial is seeking experienced facilitators to support the running of an Imperial-wide citizen’s assembly-style event to be hosted on Weds 7 October. The event, ‘Planet Ideathon: Addressing the Future of Travel in an age of Climate Change’ will be an interactive half-day workshop aimed at addressing the challenges of reaching net zero while conducting valuable international travel, with facilitated small group sessions to support ideation of solutions for Imperial’s residual emissions. The event will cover themes around residual emissions, carbon budgets, offsetting, insetting, carbon markets and international travel.

Application deadlines for these positions is 5pm on Tues 8 September

Find out more & Apply

 

Volunteering Opportunity: Make Graduation Magical

Volunteer at Commemoration Day 2026 on Wednesday 21 October.

Please sign up to support us by filling in the Registration Form!

Enjoy a free lunch, a drink and snacks on the day, plus the chance to win afternoon tea for two at the Royal Albert Hall. You will also be invited to a special Volunteer Thank You event! Spread the word and tell your colleagues!

If you have any queries, please contact Jessica Leung (Graduation Events team).

Call for Applications: Postdoctoral Fellowships at Zukunftskolleg (deadline: 12 Oct)

We invite researchers in the early stages of their careers who plan to develop and implement an independent research project to apply for a 2-year Postdoctoral Fellowship. The fellowships are open to researchers from all fields represented at the University of Konstanz.

You will find the call for applications as well as information about the eligibility criteria and the application process under: https://www.uni-konstanz.de/zukunftskolleg/fellowships/postdoctoral-fellowship/.

Questions can be directed via e-mail to zukunftskolleg-application@uni-konstanz.de.

We look forward to receiving the applications until 12 October 2026, 11:00 am (CET).

 

UKRI Policy Fellowships 2026

UKRI Policy Fellowships 2026

Applications are now invited to the UKRI Policy Fellowships scheme, which will offer 50 fellowships that span the breadth of the UKRI remit. Fellowship opportunities will be based with a host in 1 of 27 different UK government departments, devolved governments and What Works Centres.

The UKRI Policy Fellowships are designed to improve the exchange of specialist knowledge between academic institutions and policy, facilitating deeper, more enduring connections between researchers and policy makers. These exciting opportunities will allow fellows to undertake cutting edge research and inform decision-making on the most pressing policy problems of our time. The fellowships aim to support career development and enhance fellows understanding of applying research in government contexts. All fellows will become part of a cohort of academic researchers and receive training, mentoring and networking opportunities with likeminded individuals.

The fellowship cohort will be organised around the key policy priority areas including, where applicable, the UK Modern Industrial Strategy sectors (IS-8) and government missions.

Three types of fellowship are offered:

Core Policy Fellows

Core policy fellows are open to early and mid-career researchers and will be based within UK or devolved government, or an arm’s length body focusing on key public policy priority areas. For Whitehall departments and arm’s length body hosts, fellowships will align with one of the IS-8 sectors supporting objectives to drive productivity, innovation and long‑term economic growth, or one of the government’s core missions.

Modern Industrial Strategy (IS-8) sectors:

  • advanced manufacturing
  • clean energy Industries
  • creative industries
  • defence
  • digital and technologies
  • financial services
  • life sciences
  • professional and business Services

Government missions:

  • economic growth
  • NHS fit for the future
  • safer streets
  • break down barriers to opportunity
  • clean energy

Gambling policy fellowships are also offered within the core policy fellowships, focusing on delivery of the government’s statutory levy on gambling operators. The fellowships will enable early and mid-career researchers to work closely with levy commissioners on key public policy areas for the prevention and treatment of gambling related harms.

 

Natural Hazards and Resilience Policy Fellows

Natural Hazards and Resilience policy fellowships are open to early and mid-career researchers and will be based within UK or devolved government, or an arm’s length body. The Natural Hazards and Resilience policy fellowships will enable early and mid-career researchers to work closely with policy makers to focus on natural hazards and pandemic preparedness to help solve critical national and global challenges and work to guarantee the UK’s future resilience to situations that could cause or threaten serious harm to human welfare or the environment. This would include a spectrum of potential natural hazards with a clear focus on human impact such as:

  • health risks (including infectious disease)
  • flooding
  • loss of essential services like power, food, water, and telecoms

These fellowships are funded by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport as part of the COVID-19 Commemoration programme.

 

What Works Innovation Fellowships

What Works Innovation fellowships are open to researchers at all career stages and fellows will be based within the What Works Network to increase the supply of and demand for evidence to address priorities in the hosts’ policy areas of:

  • homelessness
  • policing
  • place

 

Key Dates

9 June 2026 9:00am: Opening date
25 June 2026: Webinar
10 September 2026 4:00pm : Closing date
October/November 2026: Shortlisting
December 2026: Invitations to interview
January 2027: Interviews
February 2027: Decisions communicated
1 May 2027: Start date

Further Details

All fellowship opportunities are 18 months in duration and open to applications from researchers based at an organisation eligible for UKRI funding. Full details and links to apply can be found at this link UKRI Funding Finder.

UKRI will be holding a webinar for this call on 25 June and you can register here.

2 Year AI in Science Fellowships, supported by Schmidt Sciences

About the role:

Applications are invited for prestigious Eric and Wendy Schmidt AI in Science Fellowships, a program of Schmidt Sciences, commencing 1 September 2027.

  • Up to six 2-year independent Eric and Wendy Schmidt fellowships dedicated to AI in Science in a program supported by Schmidt Sciences. Further details here (Research Associate level) & here (Research Fellow level)
  • Up to two 2-year independent Chapman-Schmidt fellowships dedicated to AI in Science in a program supported by Schmidt Sciences. Further details here

What you would be doing:

The Eric and Wendy Schmidt Ai in Science Fellows will produce independent and original research, using AI to advance science within their host department and the I-X Centre for AI in Science. These fellowships have the aim of identifying excellent researchers and accelerating them in using AI to advance and disrupt Science or Engineering. Here ‘AI’ is interpreted very broadly, e.g.: topics in Bayesian Inference and Robotics; ‘Science’ covers any typical topic in Natural Science and Engineering (Epidemiology, Biology and basic science in biomedicine are included but clinical medical themes are not covered, including conventional medical imaging). Examples include Bayesian optimization for molecular or materials design; machine learning for single cell data; physics-based ML for turbine design and astrostatistics. These posts are not suitable for generic AI research with general application: candidates must be aiming to substantially advance a particular area of science. Applicants could view themselves as AI researchers tackling particular pieces of science or science researchers using AI to transform their area. Extensive AI knowledge is not required, and AI training is offered.

What we are looking for:

Candidates will:

  • Hold, or be near completion of, a PhD (or equivalent) in an appropriate discipline.
  • Have the potential for leadership qualities in the subject, as illustrated, for example, through showing initiative on research projects.
  • Have an outstanding research record commensurate with their level of experience as demonstrated, for example, through an outstanding thesis, publications, conference presentations, code etc.
  • Have a proposal which is within the AI in Science research remit and skills which fit the cohort of AI in Science fellows.
  • For the RF positions candidates will be expected to have several years of experience post-PhD (in research or AI-based industry) and experience supervising team members

 

What we can offer you:

Fellows will join the Eric and Wendy Schmidt Network of researchers and will join a unique co-located cohort of top scholars based in the I-X Centre for AI in Science with tailored training and one-on-one career development. The fellowships are flexible and independent, allowing recipients to freely explore while drawing on expert faculty mentors of their choice.

We have a programme of additional support for women in AI in Science including a coaching circle for women in AI, additional funds for their career development and a community of I-X AI in Science women. The I-X Women in Artificial Intelligence (IXWAI) founded by two of our current Fellows aims to enhance representation of women in AI and foster an environment where they are valued, supported and inspired to achieve their full potential. We expect to appoint at least one candidate through this route.

Further Information

These are full time, fixed term position for 2 years. You will be based at White City Campus.

Candidates who have not yet been officially awarded their PhD will be appointed as a Research Assistant.

If you have any queries about these opportunities, please contact Eileen Boyce at e.boyce@imperial.ac.uk

Joint Fellowships

We have partnered with the Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) and the CNRS. If you are applying for one of these joint fellowships, we require that the principal mentor be in Imperial, but a secondary supervisor must be at ICR/CNRS. Please indicate if this is a joint fellowship by ticking the appropriate ICR/CNRS tick box in the online application form. Please note that these applications will require an institutional letter of support and ICR and CNRS will have their own internal process with a deadline ahead of the closing date below. The ICR deadline will be Monday 29th June at 9am. You must contact Becky Cook (rebecca.cook@icr.ac.uk) at ICR and Carl Iamov carl.ialamov@cnrs.fr and/or Louis Avigdor louis.avigdor@cnrs-dir.fr at CNRS to confirm these internal processes and deadlines