We are proud to support the Ernest Rutherford fellowship programme designed to assist researchers without a permanent post in the areas of particle physics, astrophysics, nuclear physics, and accelerator science.
Ernest Rutherford fellowship
Status: Internal deadline for expression of interest: midnight (24:00) on 5 July 2026.
Application process: In preparation for this funding scheme opening we invite expressions of interest from those wishing to apply for an Ernest Rutherford fellowship within our Physics and Astronomy, and Earth and Environmental Sciences Departments.
"The University of Manchester is the perfect fit for my Ernest Rutherford Fellowship, the first awarded in the field of accelerator physics, exploring novel laser and terahertz techniques for future compact particle accelerators. With access to world-leading expertise and facilities through partnership of the Cockcroft Institute and international collaborators such as CERN, together with close proximity to the largest linear accelerator test facility in the UK at Daresbury National Laboratory, Manchester is the ideal place to deliver cutting-edge accelerator science".
Dr Morgan Hibberd / Ernest Rutherford Research Fellow
Initial enquiries
To ensure the submission of high-quality proposals, the department conducts an internal selection process for all major fellowship applications.
Initial enquiries should be sent to the staff member for your area of research:
- Accelerator Physics - Darren Graham
- JCBA: Cosmology - Michael Brown
- JBCA: Pulsar, Exoplanets and Time Domain - Ben Stappers
- JBCA: Galactic Astrophysics - Clive Dickinson
- JBCA: Extra-Galactic Astrophysics - Christopher Conselice
- Nuclear Physics - Kieran Flanagan
- Particle (Experiment) - Andrew Pilkington
- Particle (Theory) - Jeffrey Forshaw
- Quantum Technologies for Physics - Mark Dickinson
- Planetary Sciences (Dept. Earth and Environmental Sciences) - Rhian Jones
* This ERF subpanel potentially spans multiple academic groups. Applicants should contact their most relevant group.
Expressions of interest
- Statement on the Department to be considered (either Physics and Astronomy, or Earth and Environmental Sciences, or both) and why.
- Confirmation that you are eligible for the scheme (check the Ernest Rutherford fellowship website for details).
- A CV (maximum 2 pages), including:
- Research activity (clarifying contributions to teams where relevant).
- Career breaks where relevant.
- Teaching, service/leadership, industrial engagement/knowledge exchange.
- List of publications (list all publications, and identify your top 5 relevant publications with a less than 5-line explanation for each explaining why it is important and what your role was in the work).
- Outline research proposal (maximum 2 pages).
For the Ernest Rutherford fellowship the departmental panel will use the following criteria to assess your expression of interest:
- The excellence of the research achievements of the applicant.
- The potential of the individual to lead their research discipline.
- The capability to maximise the potential of others and the ability to be, or become, a clear communicator and disseminator of knowledge.
- The excellence, timeliness, feasibility, distinctive vision and importance of the proposed research.
- Strategic alignment to STFC and Manchester priorities.
Expressions of interest should be submitted to frank.mcgrory@manchester.ac.uk and copied to the appropriate senior member of academic staff above.
If you are selected as a Manchester-supported candidate, we will work with you to prepare the full application.
Expected date Manchester will make offers to support: 17 July 2026.
We support a range of fellowships
Our Physics Department supports postdoctoral, tenure-track, and established researchers in their fields, including the Faraday Discovery fellowship.