STFC Ernest Rutherford Fellowships
The Research Centre for Fluid and Complex Systems (FCS) are looking to host a prestigious Ernest Rutherford Fellowship (ERF) within the Centre.
The fellowships enable early career researchers with clear leadership potential to establish a strong, independent research programme. They are intended for early career researchers who do not have a permanent academic position. Applications must fall within the remit of the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) core science programme (astronomy, solar and planetary science, particle physics, particle astrophysics, cosmology, nuclear physics and accelerator physics).
FCS members working in related research areas include:
- Professor Eun-jin Kim
- Professor Alban Potherat
- Professor Susanne Horn
- Professor Chris Hooley
- Dr Federico Vincentelli
- Dr Junho Park
Theoreticians, numericists and experimentalists are all encouraged to apply. FCS conducts unique experimental research in geophysical and astrophysical fluid dynamics.
Funding is available for five years and includes the applicant's salary and limited research expenses and travel funding. The scheme is open to applicants of any nationality who hold a PhD (or significant experience) and have clear leadership potential. Further guidance is available on the STFC website.
STFC operate a quota system and Coventry University’s Research Centre for Fluid and Complex Systems can only submit one application. Therefore, an internal selection process will take place to determine which candidate will be put forward.
Deadlines and timescales
- Interested candidates should contact one of the FCS Centre members listed above to discuss, mentor and support their application.
- We warmly invite all interested candidates to come and visit the Research Centre and meet the team at any time, either before or after the internal deadline for expression of interest.
- STFC have an expression of interest template for the Ernest Rutherford Fellowship. Candidates can either complete this expression of interest form – or provide a covering letter and their CV, including their top five research publications.
- Candidates should submit their expression of interest on or before 26 June 2026 to Prof Eun-jin Kim, with your identified Coventry University academic mentor copied in.
- Candidates will be invited to interview and to visit the centre (if they haven’t done so already)
- Candidates will be notified of the outcome of the internal selection process by the end of July.
- The successful candidate will then continue to develop their proposal with their academic mentor and the Coventry University research funding and development team. We would anticipate a first draft proposal be provided by 4 September 2026 to allow time for review and feedback.
- The team will continue to support the candidate to work on their application in order to meet the final submission deadline of 30 September 2026, 4pm.
