Tag: Research Staff

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/

Young Geotechnical Engineers Symposium (22 & 23 June)

18th BGA Young Geotechnical Engineers Symposium

Held at Imperial College London, the Young Geotechnical Engineers Symposium 2026 (YGES 2026) brings together early-career researchers and professionals to discuss emerging challenges and innovative solutions in geotechnical engineering.

YGES 2026 provides an opportunity for young geotechnical engineers to present innovative research and engineering practice, promote dialogue between academia and industry, and strengthen professional connections supporting future collaboration and career development within the geotechnical community. Each session will be chaired by Imperial College London academics, who will provide personalised one-to-one feedback to presenters at the end of each session — offering a unique opportunity for direct engagement and professional development:

A Best Presentation Award will be presented to recognise outstanding contributions, based on both technical quality and presentation.

Download the flyer — FlyerYGES2026.

Call for Extended Abstracts

Extended Abstract (maximum 2 pages)
Authors are invited to submit an extended abstract of no more than two pages, including figures, tables and references. The document must follow the provided template.

Submission Deadline:   1st May 2026
Notification of Acceptance: 15th May 2026

Abstract submission is open!!! Please find the submission guidelines and template here.

Key Dates:

Extended Abstract Submission Deadline: 1st May 2026

Acceptance Announcement:  15th May 2026

Early-Bird Registration Deadline: 1st June 2026

Registration Deadline: 15th June 2026

Contact us

Do not hesitate to get in touch with any questions or concerns by filling out this form.

email: yges2026@imperial.ac.uk

British Hydrology Society – Early Career Symposium (29 & 30 June)

Hydrology in Service of Society – BHS Peter Wolf Early Career Symposium 2026

29–30 June 2026 at Imperial College London

In partnership with the British Hydrological Society, this year’s theme Hydrology in Service to Society explores how water science can respond to climate change, urbanisation and environmental pressures.

We’re inviting early career researchers to share their work…spanning catchment to coast, groundwater to glaciers, modelling to monitoring, nature-based solutions to engineered infrastructure, and data science to decision-making.

📝 Submit your abstract by 1 June

Details and submissions: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScdRQb1qJPYsVAf-0PkyAHSVi6h6qbfzvNbJHVWPKuUAiNRhw/viewform

Cancer Research UK Postdoc Futures Conference (24 September)

Cancer Research UK are inviting all cancer non-clinical postdocs, regardless of funding source, to a one-day event on 24 September in Manchester, designed to empower you to take the next step in your career.

Explore career opportunities both within and beyond academia, learn about their training and funding programmes and pick up practical tools to help you build a fulfilling career in cancer research.

You’ll also connect with the wider cancer postdoc community, take part in roundtable discussions and join talks covering career progression, common challenges and potential solutions.

Register now: https://cruk.ink/4tS7Ai5

Cancer Research UK: Bridge to Academic Leadership Programme (Deadline 23 June)

Develop the skills, confidence and network to lead your own research team and build an application for a £25k award to develop your research niche.

The Cancer Research UK Bridge to Academic Leadership programme returns this autumn, supporting postdocs to take the next steps toward becoming independent group leaders in cancer.

The programme is open to non-clinical postdocs based at any UK institution, regardless of your funding source.

Across a blend of online and in-person sessions, you’ll strengthen your ability to generate and pitch your research ideas, improve your grant-writing skills and learn how to lead and manage a research team effectively in an academic environment.

Applications are particularly welcomed from researchers from ethnic minority backgrounds, women, non-binary researchers and researchers who are disabled or living with a long‑term condition. Places will be allocated on a competitive basis. Diversity information will be used to prioritise researchers who fall into groups underrepresented among our fellowship applicants.

Applications close 23 June

Full details on eligibility and a link to apply:

https://cruk.ink/42ccBG3

The Michelson Prizes: Next Generation Grants (apply by 22 June)

The Michelson Prizes: Next Generation Grants are annual awards of $150,000, which support early-career investigators who are working to significantly advance human immunology and vaccine and immunotherapy research for major global diseases.  Now in their 9th year, the Grants are awarded by the Michelson Medical Research Foundation and applications are being accepted from March 30 – June 22, 2026.

Additional info can be found at https://www.michelsonmedicalresearch.org/michelson-prizes

  • About the Prizes: We are looking for research aimed at tackling roadblocks in human vaccine development and expanding our understanding of immune processes that are fundamental to successful vaccine and immunotherapy development.
  • Eligibility: Researchers / scientists born on or after January 1, 1990.
  • Disciplines: Applicants from the full spectrum of immunology-related disciplines, including clinical research, biochemistry, molecular biology, protein engineering, computer science, artificial intelligence/machine learning, biophysics, environmental health, nanotechnology, etc.

Join the Early Career Researcher Institute on LinkedIn

We’re delighted to invite you to connect with us on our official LinkedIn page!

Follow this page to find out more about ECRI activities, initiatives, resources and Imperial’s fantastic early career researcher community.

Early Career Researchers at Imperial & Alumni Network

We’re also excited to launch a dedicated LinkedIn group for Imperial’s Early Career Researchers and Alumni – a space for current doctoral researchers, current and former postdocs and fellows, and our global alumni community.

This group brings together researchers at every stage of their journey to connect with and support one another – whether you’re navigating your PhD, transitioning from being a postdoc to your next role, or continuing your career beyond Imperial.

  • Build interdisciplinary peer networks and collaborations
  • Explore career pathways within and beyond academia
  • Access resources, events and career development opportunities
  • Offer or seek mentorship
  • Share experiences, insights and next steps

Join the group and be part of the community

Black and Minority Ethnic Early Career Researcher Conference (10 July 2026)

Invitation: Black and Minority Ethnic Early Career Researcher (BME ECR) Conference

Friday, Jul 10, 2026 from 8:30 am to 5:30 pm

Location: Great Hall King’s College London

Registration and programme on Eventbrite

We would like to invite you to attend the 10th BME Early Career Researchers  (BME ECR) conference at the Great Hall King’s College London.

Our highly anticipated 10th BME ECR Conference is taking  place on Friday, 10th July 2026. This event is set to be a remarkable gathering, bringing together a diverse group of BME emerging researchers and senior academics  from various disciplines celebrating the achievements of the past 10 years and looking to the future.

Attendees can look forward to a day themed: Recognition, Reflection and Renewal, where we will be hearing 10 Impact studies and through a panel discussions learn in dept what worked for them.

In addition to the formal presentations, the conference will host a series of future-focused conversations designed to inspire innovative thinking and collaboration among participants. These discussions will form a vision workshop where the findings will shape the future of BME ECR conference and network.

Networking opportunities will be plentiful, offering attendees the chance to connect with peers, establish new relationships, and exchange ideas with like-minded individuals who share a passion for advancing the academic careers of BME early career researchers.

Whether you are an BME early-career researcher looking to expand your knowledge, or an academic interested in the future of BME Research, this conference promises to be an invaluable experience. Mark your calendars and prepare to engage with a vibrant BME ECR network.

Please feel free to register here – THE 10TH BME ECR CONFERENCE Tickets, Friday, Jul 10, 2026 from 8:30 am to 5:30 pm | Eventbrite<https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-10th-bme-ecr-conference-tickets-1981558459695>

 

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

Networking and Profile Building Workshop for Postdocs (17 & 24 Jun 26)

This 2-session workshop will cover a range of skills that will help you raise your profile, and build the networks that can help you succeed, whether your career aims are in academia or beyond it.

This course is collaboratively delivered across 15 UK Higher Education Institutions and during these workshops you will get the opportunity to network with researchers based at these institutions. You can find out more about the programme at QMUL’s website.

Please register your interest soon as we have limited spaces available.

Time Commitment
This course will run online on Zoom for 2 days: Wednesday 17 and Wednesday 24 June – 10.00-14.30 (1 hour lunch)

Session 1 – 17 June, 10.00-14.30

  • Introduction to the Principles of Networking
  • Building confidence to network and taking first steps
  • Collaborating and Partnering
  • Networking Session with experienced networkers

Session 2 – 24 June, 10.00-14.30

  • Developing your Academic or Research profile
  • Social Media, Networking and Profile
  • Action Planning
  • Networking Session with peers

Please register your interest via this form – limited spaces available.