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In conjunction with POST (Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology) we are offering a 13-week fellowship to UKRI funded PhD students (not in their first year) whose research is in an energy related field. There is one funded fellowship available.

The fellowship is an opportunity for students to gain real-world experience of the translation and communication of research findings to help inform decision making. The fellow will contribute to the activities of Parliament, by working with POST on an area of energy and climate change policy but outside their immediate area of expertise. During their time they will primarily research and produce a POSTnote and may also contribute to POST’s wider activities such as events and horizon scanning. Alternatively, the fellow may be placed with a Select Committee, engaging directly with science and policy by supporting the Committee’s work in scrutinising Government.

PhD fellows are encouraged to interact closely with people and activities in the two Houses of Parliament, including Select committees, MPs and Peers, their support services, ‘All-Party Parliamentary Group’ meetings and the very wide range of other activities at the Palace of Westminster.

Fellows will also be encouraged to engage with UKERC by making use of the expertise and connections that the consortium can offer. Fellows will have access to the research that UKERC undertakes, its events and the expertise of its staff.

The fellowship can be carried out full-time for three months or part-time over a longer period. It may be undertaken at POST’s offices in Westminster or include remote working as part of a hybrid working arrangement. Successful applicants will start their fellowship in fellowship in September or October 2022. The exact start date is to be agreed between the applicant, POST, UKERC and the applicant’s supervisor.

Who is eligible to apply?

The POST-UKERC Fellowship is open to any UKRI funded PhD student, not in their first year, researching a topic that is related to one of UKERC’s current research themes. The full person specification can be found in the application guidance.

Successful candidates will be required to complete pre-employment checks. This includes security vetting to Counter Terrorist Check (CTC) level. All successful candidates are required to pass these checks before an offer can be confirmed.

How to apply

It is important that you download and read the application pack before applying, as it contains more details on the role, application process, and assessment criteria.

Download the application guidance

Applicants should submit:

• An online application form.

• An approval form, which has been completed by your PhD Supervisor and Head of Department.

• A two-page briefing on a topic that you think would be of current interest to Parliamentarians but should not be on the subject of your PhD. The briefing should be completed using the briefing template and should not contain your name or any other identifying details. We want you to use the briefing template and ensure your work is not identifiable in order to make the process as fair and unbiased as possible. Please see the application pack for the two-page briefing assessment and some tips for writing it.

Download the approval form

Download the two-page briefing template

Please email your two-page briefing and completed approval form to postfellowships@parliament.uk.

Applications will undergo an initial sift on the basis of the two-page briefing.

The deadline for applications is 23:59, 22 May 2022. Interviews will be held in late early June.

Funding arrangements

UKERC will provide funding at the same rate as the fellow’s PhD stipend maintenance grant, and they will be offered a travel, relocation and care grant, up to a total of £7,500. More details can be found in the application guidance.

Frequently asked questions

What is a POST fellowship? Who can apply for it? Who pays for it? We have put together a page with answers to some of the most frequently asked questions we get about POST fellowships.

If you have a question that is not answered in the application pack or our frequently asked questions page, please contact Alan Walker at walkera@parliament.uk.