RISING TALENT FELLOWSHIP
The MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology (LMB) is proud to launch a new three-year fully funded postdoctoral fellowship for scientists from Black heritage backgrounds.
Applications for the next round will open in early 2025.
The LMB has a proud history of training generations of postdoctoral scientists who have gone on to great things across the biomedical sciences and beyond.
We want to enable scientists of Black heritage who are brimming with potential and passion for molecular biology and the biomedical sciences to learn and grow their experience in our unique collaborative research environment based in our state-of-the-art building on the Cambridge Biomedical Campus.
The LMB will provide support for Fellows to move their career forward including a generous training budget and mentoring from LMB scientists.
While the paucity of Black scientists is evident across the UK’s higher education sector, the LMB is committed to playing its part to improve the representation of Black heritage scientists and to provide role models for future generations of scientists.
This is why we are offering targeted funding for two Fellows every year.
About the LMB Rising Talent Fellowship
This Fellowship is a three-year training and development position for postdoctoral scientists who have recently completed their doctoral studies, are moving into a new research discipline or have limited experience of key transferable skills.
For details about what the role will involve see the full role description. For full information about the Fellowship and how to apply see the Additional Information document.
Eligibility criteria
This scheme is open to people who self-identify as being from a Black heritage background, including a mixed Black heritage background.
Applicants must be either:
| UK domiciled researchers who wish to conduct their research in the UK. | OR | Non-UK domiciled researchers who have studied in the UK for a degree and/or PhD. |
Salary and benefits
- £39,375 per annum for a three-year fixed-term position. As with all other LMB Postdoc positions, there is the possibility to extend this further.
- Generous allowance for training, conference attendance, and development is also available (up to £5k over the 3 years).
- Research consumables included.
- Excellent pension package with generous employer contribution (16%).
- Generous annual leave allowance of 30 days per year.
- 10.5 paid bank holidays and privilege days.
Other benefits include:
- Flexible working options.
- Employee assistance programme, including confidential help and advice.
- Rent Deposit Loan.
- Season Ticket Loan.
- Employee discounts and offers on retail and leisure activities.
- Cycle-to-work scheme.
- Opportunity for guidance on relocation.
Support available
Support available
- Support from the start – please get in touch to discuss anything about this scheme.
- Postdoc induction and buddy system for new starters.
- Training and development programme.
- Mentoring and coaching.
- Peer to peer support.
Download the Additional Information document for more details.
Start Date
Start date is flexible but between early October and end December 2024 is preferred. This can be extended if needed.
How to apply
The deadline for 2024 applications has now closed.
- Express interest
Candidates are invited to express interest in the Fellowship and to get in touch with the Fellowship team if this would be helpful. We welcome requests for informal discussions via phone or Zoom about the application process and what support we can provide to help with the next stages of the process. Such discussions, and the content of the calls, will not influence any subsequent decisions made. Email us to request a 30-minute call. We will be more than happy to chat to you! - Complete application
You can upload either:- a traditional scientific CV with covering letter or
- a Narrative CV, which is a cross between a traditional CV and a cover letter. It provides the space to explain the context of your achievements and your contributions to research. See UKRI resources on Narrative CVs for further guidance.
Detailed information about the application process and what details you should provide in your application documents can be found in the Additional Information document.
Candidates are encouraged to speak to relevant LMB Group Leaders to help with steering the application, ensuring a strong scientific fit with the LMB’s scientific programme. Please get in touch if you would like help with contacting the scientists here.
The deadline for applying in the 2024 round has now passed.
- Shortlisting stage
A panel of LMB scientists will assess all eligible applications and will select the best candidates for interview. If they have not already done so, shortlisted candidates are encouraged to speak to relevant LMB Group Leaders to help steer the application to ensure a strong scientific fit with the LMB’s scientific programme. - Interviews
Shortlisted candidates will be interviewed during May 2024.Candidates will be asked to present their research journey to date, their key areas of discovery and areas of future interest. This will be followed by an assessment of scientific competency, motivation and passion via a question and answer session. Candidates unsuccessful at this stage will receive feedback about their application and will have the opportunity to receive mentorship and support from LMB scientists. They will also be supported to apply again in future rounds. Please email the Fellowship Team if you have any questions. - Start Fellowship
For successful candidates the start date is flexible but ideally between early October and end December 2024 is preferred. This can be extended if needed. For full information download the Additional Information document.