School of Social and Political Science

Content

Introduction

The main postdoctoral research fellowships are all highly competitive schemes and the School receives a large volume of interest from applicants who wish to apply. The School operates internal pathways to manage the number of applicants who express interest in applying and, where necessary, to carry out a selection process to decide on the most suitable candidates to submit an application to the funder.

Panel Process

The documents the School usually asks applicants to submit for review and selection panels are the following:

• Outline project proposal (max. 2 pages)
• References/Bibliography (max. 1 page)
• Candidate CV (max. 2 pages)
• A mentor statement (max. 1 page)
• Mentors must also ensure that in principle approval from the Head of Subject Area for your application is emailed to the SPS Research Office before you submit your documents to the School panel process.

Documents should all be in either Calibri or Arial font, size 11, with 2 cm margins.

Ensure you check the School's scheme-specific webpage for any variations on these requirements, particularly the SPS eligibility criteria.

What should I include in my project proposal?

• Read the scheme guidance so that you understand the aims, eligibility and assessment or evaluation criteria of the scheme. This is essential to putting together a competitive project proposal.
• The postdoctoral fellowship schemes are run by different funders who have specific priorities, so it’s important that your proposal should reflect the fellowship scheme you are applying to.
• Project proposals should usually include: an introduction to your research proposal; your methodology; why the research is important; and your intended outcomes and impact.
• Ensure you show consideration of any ethical and data issues relating to your project.
• Where the host institution and, or, mentor (supervisor) has a key role to play in the fellowship, make sure you build this into your project proposal. Develop your project proposal with your mentor to ensure this is reflected in your project design.
• Consider the scale of your plans. Be realistic about what will be achievable within the fellowship duration and budget constraints.

What should I include in my CV?

• Provide the specific date of your viva to enable eligibility checks.
• Further guidance on what to include in your academic CV can be found here: Write an academic CV | Careers Service

What should my mentor include in their statement?

• Why the mentor and the School’s research environment is a good match to support your project.
• Show familiarity with your project proposal and how they will work with you to develop this if you are selected to full application stage.
• Their experience in training researchers, track record, major international collaborations, publications, etc.
• The role they will play in the fellowship, including how they will support you to integrate into the subject area.
• Information on the wider support the School can offer to the proposed fellow. For instance, by advising on career development or training opportunities.