Research and Engagement

Scheme Opportunities and Funding

Find out about current research schemes and funding opportunities within CAHSS.

GCRF Post Doctorate Fellowships

 

CAHSS has launched a pilot scheme to create opportunities for four researchers in the early stages of their career to build upon existing research and its contribution to the objectives of the Global Challenges Research Fund.

These posts are full time and fixed term and are expected to start on 1 May 2020 and complete by 31 July 2020.  The posts can be located in any one of the 11 schools of the College and must be connected to a relevant discipline and contribute to the priorities of the research groupings/strategies within these schools.

  • The posts are now live as vacancy 051143 with a closing date of 21 February 2020 (5pm GMT) and application details can be found on the University Jobs Site
  • The vacancies require an additional mandatory form to be completed to assist in the selection process which can be downloaded here:

Interviews for the posts will be scheduled for Thursday 19th March 2020

 

Further information to assist the application process can be found below:

Information to Support Application Process

Scheme Objectives – these fully funded fellowships will be enabled by the University of Edinburgh’s Scottish Funding Council allocation from Global Challenges Research Fund. GCRF fellowships must be compliant with the UK’s Official Development Assistance (ODA) and support cutting-edge research which addresses the challenges faced by developing countries as defined in the Global Goals for Sustainable Development.  Links to additional context information is provided below.

Eligibility – these fellowship opportunities are targeted at candidates who have less than 12 months of active post-doctoral research experience by 1 May 2020 and who are not in a permanent academic position.  Potential applicants must already have been awarded their PhD or have submitted their thesis and passed their PhD examination with minor corrections by 21 February 2021.  The actual award of the PhD must take place prior to the commencement of the fellowship.

Scheme Duration – these posts are programmed to allow a maximum of 15 months duration with a start date of 1 May 2020 and end date of 31 July 2021.  Unfortunately any delay in start time will still mean that posts must end by 31 July 2021 and therefore the duration will therefore be shorter in such circumstances.

Flexibility in Full Time Status – these posts are intended to be full time fellowships and fellows must spend 100% of their contractual time on the fellowship and will not be expected to undertake any secondary employment commitments.  Part time proposals will be considered based on particular circumstances, visa requirements and the feasibility of the work plan.  The end date of the fellowship will remain 31 July 2021 regardless of the part-time nature of the position. 

Scheme Restrictions – the fellowships are specifically designed to provide opportunities for developing researchers to build on their existing PhD research and therefore the case for support should reflect this focus.  The fellowships are not intended to support a new post-doctoral project.  The fellowships must be entirely dedicated to a programme of work for research, knowledge exchange and impact activities.  In accordance with best practice, some time will be allowed for professional development activities.

 

Case for Support and Work Plan Activities - Fellows are expected to undertake the following types of activities:

  • engage with both academic and non-academic audiences to communicate the research findings that have come out of their previous doctoral work;
  • build international networks with both academic and user audiences to develop impact opportunities and inform and support the further development of their research ;
  • collaborate with users through an internship or placement to help develop their professional and transferrable skills and understanding of users organisations and their needs;
  • produce publications in order to help establish a track record in their chosen specialisation and secure opportunities for long term employment in research;
  • further improve their research and related skills through additional specialised training, e.g. language training, cultural awareness, methodological (such as socio-economic and political structures and cultural, historical and religious dynamics);
  • carry out further limited research (no more than 20% of time commitment) based on their PhD work and related work through developing proposals for further funding. NOTE: New unrelated research may not be undertaken during a GCRF Fellowship.

 

Field Work - All GCRF Fellows are encouraged to make an international institutional visit or series of visits during the course of their fellowship to develop their international networks, engage with academic and non-academic audiences and develop their skills to operate in an international context (e.g. language training and cultural awareness).  Applicants will need to demonstrate how these activities are integral to the planned programme of work during the fellowship.  We would expect that any time overseas would be limited to an approximate maximum period of 3 months.  Any time spent overseas is expected within the nature of the posts and therefore there will not be any additional financial compensation in terms of renumeration and expenses would be in accordance with usual expenses policies of the University.

 

Employment Terms and Benefits - Researchers will be employed on a standard University researcher contract and will need to fulfil or secure the right to work in the UK for the duration of the fellowship period.   Fellows will be appointed at grade 7, normally at the bottom point of the scale.  Fellows will receive funding for salary, pension and statutory employer contributions as based on the established University of Edinburgh pay scales.  Fellowships will also be provided access to a limited expenses fund which will take into account considerations such as work plans and contract status in terms of duration and full time equivalent nature. The maximum budget available for award of supporting research and impact related  expenses is £7,500.  All expenses sums will be awarded to schools and subject to justification and University standard rules.  In addition Schools will be provided with resources to provide a standard laptop to fellows for the duration of the fellowship.

 

Support of Schools – we strongly encourage applicants to approach a preferred School of choice and to discuss their applications with a relevant member of staff and if possible, to identify a mentor who would be willing to support them during the fellowship.  Funding can not be used for mentoring arrangements.

 

Recruitment and Selection Process – the application process is competitive and applications will be considered in accordance with the scheme priorities and the essential and desirable criteria set in the post requirements.  Applicants should ensure that their eligibility and case for support addresses these expectations together with the overall schemes objectives.  The Panel will consist of representatives across relevant disciplines in CAHSS. Interviews are likely to take place within the first two weeks of March and exact details will be posted on this webpage once confirmed.

 

Contextual Information on GCRF and ODA

Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) information sheet on ODA

DAC list of eligible countries and territories for ODA Assistance

UN Sustainable Development Goals

UK Government Aid Strategy

Examples of projects funded under another GCRF post doc scheme -  ESRC GCRF Fellowships

 

For any additional information on these opportunities then please contact Caroline Laffey, CAHSS Research Manager, caroline.laffey@ed.ac.uk (tel +44 131 650 4061).