from a Post-doc to a Research Fellowship - in 7 steps : How you can move from a Post-doc to a Research Fellowship - in 7 steps Ben Warren bw120@le.ac.uk

What is a Research Fellowship and Why apply for them? Independent funding to do your own research Personal Award – not just your idea but you Quicker route from Post-doc to a Permanent Position Freedom to do what you want, where you want Postdoc Fellowship Permanent Position

Common misconceived barriers for Fellowships ‘I’m not ready to apply for fellowships.’ ‘I’m worried that my PI will disapprove’ Maybe next year ‘I’m not competitive enough’ When you are ready it may be too late – might just miss out on deadline, allows you to create roadmap to submission. Few people get their first fellowship – the feedback you will get is invaluable! It is your career and your future and your PI should encourage you and is certainly not allowed to disapprove You are allow time for career development activities – 10 days per year 2 hours per week – evenings and weekends You don’t need first author nature publications – you need to sell yourself and your ideas ‘I will fail’

1. List what Fellowships you can apply for Go through eligibility criteria, make a list of the deadlines and the type of work they will fund. AVAILABLE FELLOWSHIPS Humboldt Foundation (Germany) Marie Curie NC3Rs MRC Wellcome Trust NIHR Leverhulme Trust Royal Society BBSRC UKRI

2. Develop a Novel Idea and your Research Aims Think of ideas Read current reviews and books Break down your idea into Aims Talk to everyone and anyone about your research Aims Distinct from your current PI, and your PhD work but complementary novel and exciting. Review

3. Prizes mean points – rank up points Travel Grants Summer Studentships Symposium organisation Training courses Lab visits Invited talks

4. Network 2 reasons: the closest researchers in your field will also be the one potentially reviewing your application find a suitable research institution

5. Collect Preliminary Data Evidences your ability to carry out the proposed research Makes your proposal easier to understand Makes your proposal easier on the eye – aesthetically pleasing How to collect Preliminary Data Make your novel idea complementary to your current work Convince your PI that your novel idea will result in a publication Evening and weekends Are allowed 10 days per year for activities not directly related to your work

6. Know what they are looking for Timeliness Impactful Leadership Training Fellowship details Highlight key words and phrases Hang these words and phrases by your computer State clearly how you have fulfilled these requirements Proposal assessment criteria 9.5 BBSRC David Phillips fellowships are intended to enable successful candidates to embark upon a period of independent research and scholarship at an important stage in their research career. The fellowships are designed to provide a career enhancement to support outstanding scientists in the initial stages of their career, and there is therefore a strong emphasis on the scientific potential of the candidates. In making these awards, BBSRC will be seeking to identify scientists who can be expected in the future to be among the leaders of their generation of bio-scientists. In addition the proposed scientific programme should be sound and of a novelty and timeliness that will add to the understanding of the area of research, and the environment in which a candidate proposes to undertake their research should provide the best possible opportunity for the fellow to establish their research group and advance their career. It is essential that applicants clearly describe within their proposal how the award of a fellowship will allow them to embark upon independent research and to develop their career Proposal assessment criteria 9.5 BBSRC David Phillips fellowships are intended to enable successful candidates to embark upon a period of independent research and scholarship at an important stage in their research career. The fellowships are designed to provide a career enhancement to support outstanding scientists in the initial stages of their career, and there is therefore a strong emphasis on the scientific potential of the candidates. In making these awards, BBSRC will be seeking to identify scientists who can be expected in the future to be among the leaders of their generation of bio-scientists. In addition the proposed scientific programme should be sound and of a novelty and timeliness that will add to the understanding of the area of research, and the environment in which a candidate proposes to undertake their research should provide the best possible opportunity for the fellow to establish their research group and advance their career. It is essential that applicants clearly describe within their proposal how the award of a fellowship will allow them to embark upon independent research and to develop their career

7. Write your Research Proposal Get help - PI Get help - colleagues, seek out other successful proposals Get help - anyone and everyone else Have a punchy opening paragraph – a foot in the door Justify how each Aim and Objective will advance knowledge and benefit the field Use sexy figures – easier to understand, preliminary data, aesthetically pleasing Underestimate heavily the expertise of the reader Live, eat and breath your proposal

RESOURCES Research and Enterprise Division (RED) Doctoral College Departmental administrators https://asntech.github.io/postdoc-funding-schemes/ https://www2.le.ac.uk/departments/npb/people/bw120 https://franciskadevries.wordpress.com/2014/12/02/how-i-got-my-fellowship -and-how-you-might-get-yours/

Questions Introduction: the Post-doc and Research Staff Association Anastasios Stavrou Presentation 1: Life and work as a job share research staff: How can you manage your work as part-time staff Charlotte Powell and Deborah Bamber Presentation 2: Industry and Academia: How can working in industry help your research career Chris Millard Presentation 3: The Next generation: How can you move from a post-doc to Research Fellowship Ben Warren