New Deadline Announced for Two Royal Astronomical Society Fellowships

Founded in 1820, the Royal Astronomical Society (RAS) encourages and promotes the study of astronomy, solar-system science, geophysics and closely related branches of science.

RAS awards the Sir Norman Lockyer Fellowship every three years to enable an outstanding young scientist to focus the majority of their research time on an astronomical topic, including solar system and planetary science. The fellowships are named after Sir Norman Lockyer (1836-1920) who was a pioneering solar astronomer and discoverer of helium.

The RAS Research Fellowships enable outstanding young scientists to pursue research at UK universities in the disciplines promoted by RAS (ie astronomy, solar system science, geophysics and closely related branches of these sciences).

To be eligible, applicants must:

Hold a recognised PhD degree or equivalent obtained after 1 October five years before the start of the fellowship (eg 1 October 2015 if applying in 2019 for a fellowship beginning in 2020), or

Have taken the PhD viva voce examination by the application deadline and expect to be awarded the PhD degree before the fellowship start date.

(Exceptions to these limits may be made for cases such as maternity leave, career breaks, serious illness etc.)

Applicants can be of any nationality but must indicate their UK residency status and ability to carry out the work at a UK host institution. Host institutions can include universities and other not-for-profit research institutions.

Grants are paid to the host institution and will cover fellows’ salaries, National Insurance contributions and, if appropriate, pension payments. A further £2,000 per year is available for the costs of attending meetings and conferences or for other items related to the research. Fellowships are awarded for a period of up to three years.

Applications must be submitted by the deadline of 19 October 2019. Referees must submit their references by 26 October 2019.

More information about this research funding opportunity and the application process is available on the RESEARCHconnect funding information platform. RESEARCHconnect provides up-to-the minute content, insight and analysis on research funding news and policy. To find out more about how RESEARCHconnect can keep you in the know, and subscription fees, contact us today.