University of Bristol THE ROLE The EPSRC Postdoctoral Pathway supports EPSRC-funded PhD graduates who are excited about taking the first steps towards research independence with a two-year Fellowship at the University of Bristol. The scheme offers the opportunity to launch your own, independent research career in an exciting and innovative research environment. Postdoctoral Pathway Fellows will propose their own bespoke programme to conduct innovative research at the frontiers of Science and Engineering. Project proposals are invited across the full range of topics in the EPSRC research portfolio EPSRC strategy, remit and programmes – UKRI. Successful applicants will have the chance to take their research to the next level, whether by delivering high-impact original research, or by exploiting new interdisciplinary research opportunities. The Postdoctoral Pathway award should not be viewed as an opportunity to complete PhD work. WHAT WILL YOU BE DOING? Successful applicants will receive funding for up to 2 years. Benefits include: Work within world-class research groups at the University of Bristol In addition to a Project Sponsor (a Bristol academic staff member supporting your project proposal), you will have access to an academic mentor for advice on research and career development Access to personal and professional development opportunities. Postdoctoral Pathway Fellows will be recruited at Grade J on the University of Bristol salary scale and receive a grant of £5,000 for research costs. YOU SHOULD APPLY IF This scheme is designed to support Early Career Researchers who are nearing completion of their PhD or have recently completed it. Eligibility criteria: All applicants must have received PhD studentship support from EPSRC (stipend and/or fees) or training award, for example CDT, ICASE, or IDLA studentship Applicants must not hold a permanent academic position Applicants must have submitted their PhD thesis before the post begins and meet either of the following two requirements: Applicants who have recently completed their PhD they must have had their viva on or after 1st November 2025 (12 months prior to the application deadline) Applicants who are near completion of their PhD must intend to submit their doctoral thesis on or before 31st January 2027 (within 3 months of the application deadline). If they do not submit their thesis by this date, the award offer will be withdrawn. Applicants who are yet to submit must include a statement of support from their PhD supervisor confirming their expected submission timeline. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION To apply for this role please download and complete the attached documents (as specified in the Application Guidance). Alongside completing the other sections of the application, the additional documents should be uploaded to the ‘Other documents' section of the application portal. Please see the Application Guidance for more details. Please contact doctoral-prize@bristol.ac.uk with any queries. Contract type: Fixed term up to 24 months Work pattern: Full time Grade: J/Pathway 2 Salary: £44,746 - £50253 per annum plus a a grant of £5,000 for research costs School/Unit: School of Engineering Mathematics and Technology This advert will close at 23:59 UK time on Sunday 1st November 2026 The interview date is anticipated to take place on Thursday 10th December 2026 For informal queries please contact: Laura Maclean, Senior Research Administrator Email: EPSRC-Postdoctoral-Pathway@bristol.ac.uk OUR STRATEGY AND MISSION We recently launched our strategy to 2030 tying together our mission, vision and values. If you apply for this position please say you saw it on Academicoxy

University of Bristol

THE ROLE

The EPSRC Postdoctoral Pathway supports EPSRC-funded PhD graduates who are excited about taking the first steps towards research independence with a two-year Fellowship at the University of Bristol. The scheme offers the opportunity to launch your own, independent research career in an exciting and innovative research environment.

Postdoctoral Pathway Fellows will propose their own bespoke programme to conduct innovative research at the frontiers of Science and Engineering.

Project proposals are invited across the full range of topics in the EPSRC research portfolio EPSRC strategy, remit and programmes – UKRI.

Successful applicants will have the chance to take their research to the next level, whether by delivering high-impact original research, or by exploiting new interdisciplinary research opportunities. The Postdoctoral Pathway award should not be viewed as an opportunity to complete PhD work.

WHAT WILL YOU BE DOING?

Successful applicants will receive funding for up to 2 years.

Benefits include:

Work within world-class research groups at the University of Bristol
In addition to a Project Sponsor (a Bristol academic staff member supporting your project proposal), you will have access to an academic mentor for advice on research and career development
Access to personal and professional development opportunities.

Postdoctoral Pathway Fellows will be recruited at Grade J on the University of Bristol salary scale and receive a grant of £5,000 for research costs.

YOU SHOULD APPLY IF

This scheme is designed to support Early Career Researchers who are nearing completion of their PhD or have recently completed it.

Eligibility criteria:

All applicants must have received PhD studentship support from EPSRC (stipend and/or fees) or training award, for example CDT, ICASE, or IDLA studentship
Applicants must not hold a permanent academic position
Applicants must have submitted their PhD thesis before the post begins and meet either of the following two requirements:
Applicants who have recently completed their PhD they must have had their viva on or after 1st November 2025 (12 months prior to the application deadline)
Applicants who are near completion of their PhD must intend to submit their doctoral thesis on or before 31st January 2027 (within 3 months of the application deadline). If they do not submit their thesis by this date, the award offer will be withdrawn. Applicants who are yet to submit must include a statement of support from their PhD supervisor confirming their expected submission timeline.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

To apply for this role please download and complete the attached documents (as specified in the Application Guidance). Alongside completing the other sections of the application, the additional documents should be uploaded to the ‘Other documents' section of the application portal. Please see the Application Guidance for more details. Please contact doctoral-prize@bristol.ac.uk with any queries.

Contract type: Fixed term up to 24 months

Work pattern: Full time

Grade: J/Pathway 2

Salary: £44,746 - £50253 per annum plus a a grant of £5,000 for research costs

School/Unit: School of Engineering Mathematics and Technology

This advert will close at 23:59 UK time on Sunday 1st November 2026

The interview date is anticipated to take place on Thursday 10th December 2026

For informal queries please contact: Laura Maclean, Senior Research Administrator Email: EPSRC-Postdoctoral-Pathway@bristol.ac.uk