Imperial College Research Fellowships 2025

Imperial College London has opened applications for its 2025 Research Fellowships. This prestigious opportunity is designed for early-career researchers from around the world who are ready to establish their independent research careers.

📖 About the Fellowship

The Imperial College Research Fellowships (ICRF) provide a strategic platform for emerging researchers to develop as leaders in their respective fields. Fellows receive four years of salary support, generous research funding, and access to one of the most dynamic academic communities in the world.

Key Details:

• Date Published: May 12, 2025
• Application Deadline: August 18, 2025
• Location: Imperial College London (any campus) or fieldwork locations
• Eligibility: Open to researchers worldwide

Fellows may spend up to 12 months visiting other research institutions or industry, including overseas, with a maximum of 6 months at any one institution.

🎁 Benefits

Salary

• Salary offered at point 17 of the Imperial College London Research pay scale in the Research Associate band.
  • 2024/25 Salary Range: £48,056 - £56,345 per annum (London-based).
  • Exceptional candidates may negotiate a higher starting salary within this band.

Research Costs

• Up to £30,000 (or £45,000 if fully justified) for research and travel expenses.

Additional Benefits

• Bespoke career development and cohort activities via the Early Career Researcher Institute (ECRI).
• Generous staff benefits, including:
  • Enhanced parental leave (up to 18 weeks full pay).
  • Hybrid working opportunities.
  • Access to confidential support services and networks (e.g., Parents’ Network).
  • Childcare and eldercare support.

✅ Eligibility Criteria

• PhD Requirement:

  • Candidates must have a PhD awarded before the start of the fellowship.
  • For certain faculties, the PhD must be submitted before applying, and the viva must be passed before the final selection meeting on December 11, 2025.

• Career Stage:

  • Targeted at researchers within 0-4 years post-PhD (calculated from the PhD defense date to the application deadline).
  • Extensions to this period may be considered for career breaks, discipline changes, or other non-traditional career paths.

• Ineligibility:

  • Candidates who have held intermediate-level fellowships (e.g., EPSRC Early Career Fellowship) or lectureships are not eligible.

• Nationality:

  • Open to both UK and international applicants. Visa support is available.

🎯 Expectations

• Fellows must be based at Imperial College London or approved fieldwork locations.
• Fellows may co-supervise PhD students and engage in optional teaching duties.
• Fellows are expected to apply for additional funding to expand their research programs.
• By the end of the fellowship, fellows should demonstrate potential as independent leaders in their fields.

🤝 Sponsorship Requirements

• Applications must be supported by a sponsor, a senior permanent staff member at Imperial College.
• Sponsors are limited to supporting one fellowship application per competition.
• Applicants from Imperial must select a new sponsor to enhance independence and breadth of experience.

📅 Application Process

Step 1: Contact Sponsor and Host Department

• Discuss your intention to apply with your proposed sponsor and host department as early as possible.
• Obtain departmental approval and adhere to any internal deadlines.

Step 2: Prepare and Submit Application

• Applications must be submitted via the Imperial Jobs website (Ref: NAT01920).
• Required documents include:
  • Research Proposal and Budget
  • Imperial Sponsor Details
  • Optional documents: Publications list, letters of support, etc.

Step 3: Submit Confidential Reference Letters

• Two confidential reference letters are required:
  • One from the applicant’s current institution.
  • One from a referee familiar with the applicant’s research abilities.
• Letters must be sent directly by referees to researchfellowships@imperial.ac.uk by August 18, 2025.

🔍 Selection Process

The selection process involves three stages:

1. Faculty Review Panel:

   • Applications are reviewed based on the applicant’s standing, research proposal, and alignment with Imperial’s strategy.

2. Faculty Interview Committee:

   • Shortlisted candidates present their proposals for ranking and evaluation.

3. Imperial College Research Fellowship Selection Committee:

   • Final selection based on faculty rankings and competitiveness.

📅 Important Dates

• Application Deadline: August 18, 2025
• Final Selection Meeting: December 11, 2025

🌐 Application Portal

For more details and to apply, visit the Imperial College Research Fellowships Information Page.

For further inquiries, contact researchfellowships@imperial.ac.uk.

• Salary will be offered at point 17 of the Imperial College London Research pay scale, in the Research Associate salary band (the current 2024/25 salary for this grade, based in London, is £48,056 per annum). In exceptional circumstances, candidates may negotiate a higher starting salary, within the Research Associate salary band. The maximum salary in this band is £56,345 (2024/25).
• Up to £30,000 (or £45,000 if fully justified by the nature of the research) total toward research and travel costs.
• Bespoke career development and cohort activities from the Early Career Researcher Institute (ECRI). A range of staff benefits, including a generous holiday leave allowance, enhanced Maternity/ Shared Parental Leave provision at up to 18 weeks of full-pay, opportunities for hybrid working, access to professional and confidential help from the College's Employee Assistance Provider Confidential Care, a College-wide Parents’ Network and advice and support on childcare and eldercare through My Family Care.