Dame Kathleen Ollerenshaw Fellowships (2025)

BACKGROUND

One of the Faculty of Science and Engineering’s flagship schemes for investing in Early Career Researchers and increasing the diversity of our staff is the Dame Kathleen Ollerenshaw Fellowship (DKOs). These represent a strategic investment in outstanding researchers who will shape our future research portfolio. These 5-year fixed term University Research Fellowship are an excellent stepping stone to establishing an independent research career and gaining a full time permanent academic position. In 2025 we plan to appoint DKOs aligned to research areas to the School of Natural Science (SoNS) and to the School of Engineering (SoE). These are detailed in the Guidance Notes that accompany this scheme.

The University actively fosters a culture of inclusion and diversity and seeks to achieve true equality of opportunity for all members of its community. The Faculty welcomes applications from all sections of the community and are committed to having a representative workforce. Across the Schools we hold Bronze and Silver Athena SWAN Awards, which recognise our commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion and particularly the advancement of women’s education and careers in STEM.

The University also holds a Bronze Race Charter Mark recognising our commitment to improving the representation, progression and success of minority ethnic staff and students within higher education. In addition, we are a Disability Confident Employer, guaranteeing an interview for any disabled applicant who meets the minimum requirements for a job.

The University of Manchester

The University of Manchester (www.manchester.ac.uk) enjoys a global reputation for its research and its innovative approach to learning, with an on-going £1 billion investment in facilities, staff and buildings. This builds on our tradition of success that stretches back 200 years. The birth of the modern computer, the splitting of the atom, the founding principles of modern economics, the discovery of graphene, and the birthplace of engineering – these and many more world changing innovations have their roots at our University. We are at the forefront of the search for solutions to some of the world's most pressing problems, boasting strong collaborative links with industry and public services. In 2021, the university was number one, and in 2023 number two in the Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings table of more than 1,200 universities from around the world on impact addressing the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Application Process

Key contacts and information about the Faculty, Schools, Departments and Institutes can be found on our website (https://www.se.manchester.ac.uk/) and queries may be emailed to DKOFellows@manchester.ac.uk.

Applications should be submitted via the application form on Jobtrain together with the following supporting documents noting the maximum page numbers for each document:

1. Curriculum Vitae (2 pages)
2. Please also upload your Research Proposal (2 pages), Academic Impact Statement (1 page) and Statement of Strategic Fit (1 page). These three documents must be combined into a single pdf (4 pages in total)

Deadline for applications: 23.59 (UK time) Monday 7th April 2025.

SELECTION CRITERIA

The criteria for appointment will be based upon:

• Overall potential of the fellowship to establish and maintain a distinctive and outstanding research and/or innovation activity
• Quality of the proposal, particularly in relation to potential impact and deliverables
• The relevance of the proposal to funders, industrial and/or policy stakeholders
• Contribution to a priority area of research for the Faculty/School (see above)
• Potential to act as an ambassador and advocate in their field
• Ability to teach and communicate effectively to undergraduate and postgraduate students

Candidates will need to indicate their preference for a ‘home’ Department.

SELECTION PROCESS

Applications will be reviewed and shortlisted by a panel, independently chaired by a Head of School. A shortlist of candidates will be drawn and then a two-stage interview process will be undertaken. The first stage will be conducted over two School panels determined by the departmental preference of the candidate and will be chaired by a Head of School. The first stage candidates who are successful will then proceed to a second stage interview chaired by the Vice President and Dean of the Faculty.

Applications are particularly welcomed from women and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic applicants who are currently under-represented at this level. Appointments will be made on merit. The Faculty will also support requests to hold the award part-time over a proportionately longer period. Research excellence is the main criterion on the basis of which Dame Kathleen Ollerenshaw Early Career Research Fellowships are awarded. However, career breaks as well as unconventional research career paths will be considered. Evaluations will be monitored to identify potential biases e.g. in terms of gender and race to guarantee transparency, fairness and impartiality in the treatment of proposals.

Full details relating to areas of research focus, eligibility; appointment details/conditions; and application procedure are outlined in the Guidance Notes that accompany this scheme.

KEY DATES

What you will get in return:

• Fantastic market leading Pension scheme
• Excellent employee health and wellbeing services including an Employee Assistance Programme
• Exceptional starting annual leave entitlement, plus bank holidays
• Additional paid closure over the Christmas period
• Local and national discounts at a range of major retailers

As an equal opportunities employer we support an inclusive working environment and welcome applicants from all sections of the community regardless of age, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender expression, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation and transgender status. All appointments are made on merit.

Please note that we are unable to respond to enquiries, accept CVs or applications from Recruitment Agencies.

Any CV’s submitted by a recruitment agency will be considered a gift.

General enquiries:

Email: People.recruitment@manchester.ac.uk

Technical support:

https://jobseekersupport.jobtrain.co.uk/support/home

This vacancy will close for applications at midnight on the closing date.

Please see the link below for the Further Particulars document which contains the person specification criteria.