Remit
Fellowship applications must be based on a research proposal that addresses an area of large unmet need within one of our three research themes:
- Headache and facial pain: research that aims to improve the management and treatment of headache and facial pain disorders. Within this remit, we will fund research that addresses the fundamental causes, mechanisms, diagnosis or treatment of headache and facial pain.
- Neuro-oncology: research that aims to improve clinical outcomes for patients with primary tumours of the brain and spinal cord. Within this remit, we will fund research that addresses the fundamental causes, mechanisms, diagnosis or treatment of primary tumours of the brain or spinal cord, and associated neurological complications.
- Acquired brain and spinal cord injury: research that aims to protect or restore function in patients following brain or spinal cord injury. Within this remit, we will fund research that addresses the mechanisms of the injury, the mechanisms of the recovery process, and determinants of outcome.
Research proposals must be based on either:
- pre-clinical or clinical research driven by a mechanistic hypothesis and demonstrating a clear pathway to translation; or
- the development of a biological model of disease that enhances one of the three research themes and facilitates translation. Such models may be in vivo or other 3D models, and must support the future testing of a mechanistic hypothesis.
A. Post-doctoral fellowships
We invite applications from individuals working in one of our three priority research areas, who wish to conduct their own independent research within a UK host laboratory.
Post-doctoral fellowships will be for three-years, or part-time equivalent (minimum 0.5 FTE, maximum duration six years), with a maximum value of £300,000, including salary and research costs.
Eligibility criteria:
- Candidates applying for a Post-doctoral fellowship must hold a PhD in a relevant discipline; this must have been awarded - or successfully defended - by the application deadline.
- Applicants must have prior experience in the proposed research area, with evidence of an upward trajectory towards independent research.
- There is no upper or lower limit on the number of years' post-doctoral experience but you may not apply if you already have your own lab; if you hold, or have held, an equivalent competitive fellowship that allows you to establish independent researcher status; or if you are already in an open-ended, university-funded post.
- You must have a mentor with sufficient experience to provide supervision and guidance.
- We welcome applications from those returning after a career break and those who wish to work on a part-time or flexible basis.
- Applications will be accepted from non-UK nationals only where the appropriate visas and permissions to live and work in the UK are already in place for the duration of the proposed fellowship.
B. Clinical PhD fellowships
We invite applications from medical doctors with ambition to follow a clinical academic career, and who are at an appropriate point in clinical training to study for a PhD.
Clinical PhD fellowships will be for a minimum of two and maximum of four years, with a maximum value of £300,000, including salary, fees and research costs.
Eligibility criteria:
- Clinical candidates applying for PhD funding must hold a medical degree, and must have some postgraduate experience moving towards specialty training (or already have a training number and confirmation that they will be allowed out of programme to undertake research).
- Candidates must demonstrate a commitment to research, with prior experience in the proposed field of research, and must be able to demonstrate ownership of the proposed project.
- Clinicians who have completed a PhD but wish to undertake a period of dedicated post-doctoral research may apply for a Post-doctoral fellowship.
- Candidates must have the support of a prospective supervisor, who will have academic responsibility for you and act as guarantor for the quality of the proposed work, suitability of you as a Fellowship candidate, and the quality of training and development you will receive.
- You do not need to have registered for a PhD at the time of your Fellowship application.
- Clinical PhD fellowships are for a minimum duration of two years. At the point at which you commence the Fellowship, you may not have spent more than one year on a PhD course in a full-time capacity.
- We generally expect Clinical PhD fellowships to be full-time, to give you the opportunity to concentrate fully on your research, training and development. You may hold an award on a part-time basis to meet personal commitments, but not because of other professional commitments.
- You may undertake up to two clinical sessions per week.
- Applications will be accepted from non-UK nationals only where the appropriate visas and permissions to live and work/study in the UK are already in place for the duration of the proposed Fellowship. Note that we will pay PhD fees at the Home rate only.
Value
The maximum award is £300,000, including salary at the appropriate grade and scale, and direct research and training costs, including PhD fees for clinical candidates.
We expect the salary funding to cover the salary of the applicant in its entirety for the duration of the Fellowship; we will not part-fund a salary at a higher level.
For clinical applicants, we will provide a salary appropriate to your level of training, up to but not including NHS consultant level. We will pay tuition fees at the standard home student rate.
Exclusions:
- We will not contribute to salaries other than that of the applicant
- Capital funding for the purchase of equipment is limited to £20,000
- We cannot contribute towards institutional overhead costs such as rent, general utilities, or general administrative costs
- We do not fund publication costs
Application and assessment
Applications must be submitted via our research portal and will include a research proposal as well as information about your track record in academia and research, your future aspirations, your supervisor/ mentor(s), and the wider research environment.
Applications will be reviewed and short-listed by Brain Research UK's Scientific Advisory Panel, who will consider:
- your track record, evidence of an upward trajectory, and your ability to successfully deliver the proposed project, with support from the wider team
- the importance of the research question for the respective field of research
- whether there is a clear and testable hypothesis for the research and/or, in the case of projects focused on development of a disease model, a clear rationale
- whether the research design is clear, appropriate, and feasible within the timeframe and the proposed resources
- the potential impact of the research
- the strength of mentorship and institutional support.
Short-listed research proposals will be subject to external peer review - and will be judged on scientific merit, originality, and the potential for impact.
Queries
Queries should be directed to Research Manager Katie Martin by email at katie.martin@brainresearchuk.org.uk
Access our application portal
>> Access our application portal here <<
