Category: Career Opportunities, Internships & Volunteering

Call for Expressions of Interest – Global Young Scientists Summit (GYSS) 2027 (Deadline: 17:00 Friday 24 July 2026)

Imperial has been asked to nominate up to five researchers to attend the national Research Foundation Singapore (NRF) Global Young Scientists Summit (GYSS) in Singapore from 04 – 08 January 2028.

Since 2013, the GYSS has been bridging the gap between aspiring researchers and the foremost scientists and technologists of various fields. All attendees – whether on-site or online – will have the opportunity to engage and connect with distinguished speakers, which include recipients of the Nobel Prize, Fields Medal, Turing Award and Millennium Technology Prize.

The Summit offers a series of activities, including live plenary lectures, panel discussions, Q&A sessions, and networking platforms. Participants will also stand a chance to:

  1. Be part of small group informal sessions with their pre-selected speaker(s);
  2. Present their research on stage or through poster sessions; and
  3. Visit the institutes of higher learning and other prominent landmarks in Singapore.

Access this link to view the highlights from past Summits, and visit our website for additional info.

Important Notes
Please note that the GYSS 2027 does not cover flights and transport to the hotel, these will have to be arranged at your own cost or through alternative funding.

Participant Eligibility

Applications should be:

  • Post-doctoral researchers or equivalent (within five years of obtaining their PhD degree);
  • PhD students

All nominees must satisfy the following eligibility requirements:

  • Demonstrate a genuine interest in science and research;
  • Demonstrate a strong commitment to their principal field of study and an interest in interdisciplinary research and collaboration;
  • Be formally endorsed by an organisation invited to submit nominations under this nomination exercise;
  • Possess sufficient proficiency in English to actively participate in Summit discussions and activities;
  • Not have previously participated in GYSS in person. Participation in GYSS 2021 and GYSS 2022 (online editions) will not affect eligibility; and
  • Not hold a permanent academic or research appointment. In general, individuals holding permanent positions, particularly those at professor or tenure level, will not be eligible for participation.

We strongly encourage applications from a wide distribution of genders.

For clarity, the Summit or ECRI will NOT cover:

  • International travel arrangements / costs to and from Singapore;
  • Hotel accommodation for locally-based Participants.

SUBMIT YOUR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST

DEADLINE: Please submit your expression of interest by 17:00 on Friday 24 July 2026.

Institute of Science Tokyo & Imperial Collaboration Fund 2026-27

We are happy to share that the first research collaboration fund between Imperial and Science Tokyo is now open to applications until 31 July 2026. There are also several emerging Japan-UK funding opportunities available to support long-term research partnerships.

Institute of Science Tokyo-Imperial Collaboration Fund 2026/27

This new fund aims to support new, early-stage collaboration between academics and researchers at Imperial and Institute of Science Tokyo. Researchers from both universities are eligible to apply.

This is an open call, and research proposals aligned with the themes under Imperial’s School of Convergence Science and Science Tokyo’s Visionary Initiatives are particularly encouraged to apply.

Deadline to apply: 31 July 2026

 

Other Japan-UK Funding Opportunities

(1) Expression of interest: Japan-UK joint call for collaborations in Advanced Connectivity Technologies

This joint call between EPSRC and NICT aims to encourage Japan-UK collaborations on advanced connectivity technologies. Research related to integration of AI in digital networks, non-terrestrial networks, and advanced optical and photonics are encouraged to apply.

UK applicants must be based at a UK research organisation eligible for EPSRC funding. Japanese applicants must be eligible for NICT funding.

Deadline to apply: 8 September 2026, 16:00 (BST)

(2) Japan Science and Technology Agency: Changes to CREST program funding eligibility for overseas collaborators

The Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST) recently announced an increased focus on internationalisation, encouraging research collaborations between Japanese and overseas institutions. As of April 2026, overseas collaborators applying as Co-Principal Investigators to the CREST program may also be considered for funding from JST with suitable justification.

Applications typically open annually in April. For more information, please see the JST website for future funding calls and application guidelines

Wilbe x Imperial Build Week – Investment Available (July 3- July 10)

Wilbe x London Build Week runs online from July 3 to July 10 for scientists and engineers exploring big company ideas.

Build Weeks are 7-day, online cohorts where scientists and engineers go from idea to investment readiness – with structure, sharp feedback, and direct access to the Wilbe team through office hours. Participants may be considered for a first-check investment and a place on the next in-person founder residency in San Francisco.

No fee. No equity required to participate. No strings – we partner where there’s strong mutual fit, and only if founders want us to.

More info:

Apply: https://app.wilbe.com/apply/c4c6423“

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.

PhD internship opportunities at the Royal Institution (apply by 13 July)

We’re inviting PhD students whose funding permits 3-month work placements to join our teams working on Christmas Lectures, family programmes, digital content production and inspiring school-age students.

Details about roles and eligibility here: https://www.rigb.org/about-us/work-with-us

Insights from previous PhD interns:

https://www.rigb.org/explore-science/explore/blog/hear-our-phd-interns

https://www.rigb.org/explore-science/explore/blog/my-experience-intern-ri

Any queries, contact recruitment@ri.ac.uk

Closing Date: 13th July 2026

 

Internship for Sustainability Hub (apply by 5th July)

We are recruiting a Masters/ PhD Internship to support the Sustainability Hub with improving our procurement emissions data and analysis.

The intern will work with procurement and third-party datasets, help collect and assess supplier data and support the development of our emissions methodologies. This is a good opportunity for a student with strong analytical skills and an interest in sustainability.

Find out more & Apply

Applications close on 05 July 2026

 

Dame Julia Higgins Collaborative Research Fund Now Open

ECRI are delighted to announce that the 2026 call for the Dame Julia Higgins Postdoc Collaborative Research Fund is now open for Imperial postdocs!

Building on the success of the previous Engineering Postdoc Collaborative Research funding rounds, the Faculty of Engineering Research Committee as well as Faculty of Medicine Departments are delighted to announce a joint funding opportunity for postdocs.

This fund was introduced to give postdocs at the Faculty of Engineering and Faculty of Medicine the opportunity to apply for and be awarded their own research funding, develop and deliver a collaborative research project, and take a step towards becoming independent from the research of their PI.

The fund promotes collaboration between postdocs in the Faculties of Engineering and Medicine, whereby funding applications submitted must involve a minimum of two postdocs from different departments. To facilitate the interaction between the departments, networking events precede the proposal deadline. To register your interest, please complete the initial expression of interest form.

Key Dates  

Expression of Interest & Registration Deadline: 

  • 12:00 on 31 May 2026

Networking events:

  • Live (in person) Thursday 04 June 15:00-17:00
  • Live (online via Zoom) Tuesday 09 June 12:30-14:00

Application deadline: 

  • 12:00 on Tuesday 23 June 2026

Assessment panel: 

  • 24 July 2026

Successful applicants will be notified at the start of August, and all spending and final reports are due by 31 July 2027.

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

Imperial Research Fellowship Scheme Applications Open (Deadline 23 July)

Overview

The IRF scheme is designed for outstanding early career researchers looking for an opportunity to focus on research and establish scientific independence, making the leap from a post-doctoral researcher to permanent lecturer. IRFs receive a four-year fellowship which includes:

  • A competitive salary
  • A contribution toward research and travel costs (up to £45,000)
  • Personal mentoring support from a senior Imperial member of academic staff (sponsor)
  • Focused career support, training courses and development opportunities from Imperial’s Early Career Researcher Institute
  • The chance to take full responsibility for setting and directing their own research agenda and career trajectory, with no obligatory teaching, and with the possibility of spending up to twelve months visiting other research institutions and/or in industry.

Key features for applicants

  • Candidates are expected to be a maximum of PhD + 5 years (counted from PhD award date to proposed fellowship start date)
  • Proposals will be considered in all research areas active within participating departments at Imperial
  • Applicants can be UK nationals or international candidates and internal or external to Imperial

Closing date: Thursday 23 July 2026 (internal departmental deadlines will vary)

Full details are available at: https://www.imperial.ac.uk/research-and-innovation/research-office/funder-information/research-fellowships/irf/

Human–AI Collaboration and Systems Design Contributor

We’re looking for an experienced contributor to join the Executive Education programme Transforming Business with AI, running from 13–17 July. This person would support a small number of afternoon sessions during the week, bringing practical insight into how AI systems are designed, adopted, and used in real organisational settings.

We’re looking for someone who brings together strong academic foundations with hands‑on experience working with businesses and executive audiences.

What we’re looking for:

  • PhD‑level training (or equivalent experience) in Information Systems, Human–AI Collaboration, or a related field
  • Practical experience designing and implementing AI solutions that address both technical and organisational challenges
  • Hands‑on work with SMEs on applied AI projects, including:
    • Retrieval‑Augmented Generation (RAG)
    • Data chunking and structuring
    • Tools such as LangChain, knowledge graphs, and related frameworks
    • Previous involvement in executive education, leadership programmes, or senior‑level workshops

For more information about the programme, please contact:
Mariana Gamba Fadul, Senior Learning Design Manager

For information about rates and logistics, please contact:
Toni McCloggan, Client Relationship Manager – Open and Custom Programmes