Job Description

The School of Biology at the University of St Andrews is inviting applications from outstanding visionary Research Fellow and Future Leader candidates to attend the Biomolecular Science (BMS) Fellowship Day.



This competitive opportunity will support successful candidates to start their independent academic career and join the supportive and vibrant research culture at the BMS. The Fellowship Day is aimed at early career academics and innovators who are transitioning to, or establishing independence. Typically, successful fellows will have finished their PhD, published several lead-author papers and have a clear idea of their future research direction and programme.



In line with our School's Gold Athena Swan accreditation, we support and encourage applications from diverse



Drawing on the BMS strengths for inter-disciplinary research we are particularly interested in receiving applications in relation to;

Molecular microbiology

pathogen/host interactions (human/animal/plant) synthetic biology/enzymology/biochemistry systems biology chemical biology

Utilising our world class facilities

multiple omics cellular and sub-cellular imaging biophysics structural biology - cryo-EM bioinformatics/AI CL3 facilities

All applications will be assessed by a committee and a shortlist of candidates will be invited to attend the BMS Fellowship Day in St Andrews.



On the BMS Fellowship Day (expected date mid-January) shortlisted candidates will be invited to give a presentation on their research experience and their future research direction/ programme. They will be given tours of the facilities and have an opportunity to talk with potential future colleagues and collaborators at St Andrews.



Following the Fellowship Day, up to two successful candidates will be given substantial support in writing and applying for senior fellowships (FLF, URF), as well as other UKRI/Leverhulme fellowships during 2026. This support includes academic mentorship from a senior colleagues, advice and feed



We aim to provide additional support to applicants from groups that are persistently underrepresented within UK academia through the grant application process.

The BMS Fellowship Day is a competitive process.

Please send your applications to bsrcdir@st-andrews.ac.uk by

5pm 12

th

December 2025

.



The application should include



an up-to-date CV (including at least 2 referees) maximum of 3 pages, plus a full list of publications.

a 3-page outline of a research proposal

a cover letter (2-pages maximum that sets out why they would want to hold a fellowship at St Andrews.


Please note your application is about more than just presenting an exciting research idea.



You should discuss:


Details of your track record and research trajectory Development ambitions for your research team. How you will contribute to our positive and inclusive Research Culture How your research will deliver research impact Why St Andrews would be the right place for you to do your research. Who could you potentially collaborate within St Andrews and elsewhere.

At the University of St Andrews, Independent Fellows are treated as full academic colleagues and we have an excellent track record of fellowships being translated into tenured academic positions. You will be provided with suitable lab and write up space for your research group and an office for themself. Fellows will have access to suitable PhD studentship programmes (dependent upon the type and duration of their fellowship) and are not required to engage in teaching and admin duties but can be supported to do so if this aids their career development. A mentor will be appointed to support you from the start of your fellowship and your career development further supported by access to St Andrew's award-winning training and development schemes.

School/Unit:

School of Biology

Posted:

04/11/2025

Closing date:

12/12/2025

Closing time:

17:00