Frequently Asked Questions for applying for Fully Funded Fellowships

The following FAQs relate to the LKAS Fully Funded Fellowships recruitment call.

If you have a question that is not answered here, please see our Contacts list.

Eligibility

Am I eligible for a Fully Funded Fellowship?
The eligibility criteria state that candidates must:

  • Be at least 2 (and ideally no more than 7) years' post-PhD.
  • Have at least two years’ experience at postdoctoral level or equivalent professional-level experience.
  • Have produced one or more world-leading publications (equivalent to 4* rating in UK REF2014) since 1 January 2014.

These are essential criteria; if you do not meet all three then you will not be eligible for a Fully Funded Fellowship.

How are you defining the two years’ postdoctoral experience?
We are defining two years’ postdoctoral experience as commencing from the date at which your PhD was submitted, provided you have held a postdoctoral (or equivalent professional-level) role since then.

It has been longer than 7 years since I was awarded my PhD, but I have had career breaks. Am I still eligible?
Career breaks due to maternity, paternity, parental or adoption leave, illness or other exceptional circumstances will be considered.

Application Process

Do I need to submit my application by a certain time on the closing date?
Applications need to be submitted by midnight on the closing date.

What documents do I need to provide with my application?
You will need to provide a cover letter, CV and a completed research proforma. As you are only able to submit 2 documents via the e-recruitment system, please append the research proforma to your cover letter. The system will also prompt you to upload your CV before the application can be submitted.

Should my cover letter detail how I meet the essential criteria?
The electronic recruitment system will invite you to provide details via an online form of how, point by point, you meet the essential criteria for the post. You can either address the essential criteria by completing the online form, or you can include this in your cover letter. However, if you include these details in your cover letter, you will need to note this in the online form in order to complete it. Noting ‘see cover letter’ will be sufficient.

Who should I address my cover letter to?
Please address your cover letter to our central Human Resources department:

Human Resources (Tay House)
University of Glasgow
Glasgow
G12 8QQ

I have another question regarding the application process that is not covered here. Who can I contact?
If you have queries regarding the application form, the electronic recruitment system or any part of the application process, please contact the University’s Recruitment Team.

Research Proforma

What information should I include in section B of the research proforma?
Section B of the proforma asks for a description of the methodology to be used. Here you should describe the scientific approach you are taking to achieve your research objectives, e.g. is this a theoretical or experimental approach? If it is experimental, what types of instrumentation/techniques are you using? 

What information should I include in section C of the research proforma?
Section C asks you to outline a realistic research programme, describing the activities that will take place, and explaining how they will contribute to the achievement of the research objectives. Here you should provide details and a schedule of the individual activities you plan to carry out throughout the period of the fellowship, explaining how these will contribute to the achievement of your research objectives. 

What outputs should I include on the research proforma?
You should include those outputs that you believe are world-leading in quality (4*) and that would be eligible for submission to future Research Excellence Framework (REF) exercises. These outputs should already be published or accepted for publication.

General

Is there a specific start date for the Fellowships?
No, there is no specified or expected start date; the emphasis of the scheme is on attracting applicants that most closely meet the specifications of the call.

What happens if I need to take an extended period of leave?

The duration of the LKAS Fully Funded Fellowship may be extended to cover maternity, paternity, parental and adoption leave or other circumstances in line with the terms and conditions of the Fellow’s employment. 

My application was unsuccessful; can I reapply?
If you are unsuccessful in your application, you will be able to reapply in following recruitment rounds; however, you would need to ensure your proposal is substantially different from the original one as resubmissions are not allowed.

Contacts

For general questions about our LKAS Fellowships, please contact Kristy Bremner (Research Planning Manager)

For information about research expertise, contact the relevant College Research Office.