Vice-Chancellor’s Prize Fellowships

Big ideas. Bold action. Transformational research

Please note applications are now closed for 2025

Join Aston University through the Vice-Chancellor’s Prize Fellowships

Big ideas. Bold action. Transformational research – powered by people and place.

 

At Aston, our research is driven by a clear purpose: to tackle the world’s most pressing societal and global challenges. Underpinning this commitment is our ambitious Aston 2030 Strategy, which involve investing in talent, expanding our research capacity, and building on our strengths as a global, dual-intensive university.

We are proud to launch the Vice-Chancellor’s Prize Fellowships – a prestigious new initiative that celebrates research excellence and supports growth in our strategically important areas.

​​​​​Up to 10 Tenure-Track Research Fellowships are available at Grade 8 or Grade 9, depending on experience and track record. This is an exciting opportunity to develop your research profile, establish your independence, and contribute to internationally recognised research teams.

You will have a strong track record in an area closely-aligned to our centres of excellence and the ideal candidate will have demonstrated a strong pathway towards research independence.

The posts are available for a fixed term of three years from 1st September 2025. Subject to progress, a permanent academic contract will be available from 1st September 2028.

There are three routes to applying, dependent on your disciplinary area:

Please note applications are now closed for 2025

Aston Breakthroughs: join us to make real world change

At Aston, breakthroughs don’t happen by accident – they’re powered by people with bold ideas, entrepreneurial spirit, and a drive to make a difference.

By joining us, you’ll be part of a vibrant, collaborative environment where your research can spark new thinking, tackle real-world challenges, and create lasting impact.

Together, we’ll deliver the next generation of Aston Breakthroughs – and help change the world for the better.

What sets us apart

We believe research should be:

Inclusive – diverse thinking shapes who we are, what we do, and who we do it for. We’re proud to support a vibrant, inclusive research community where brilliant minds from all backgrounds thrive.

Entrepreneurial – our researchers take bold action to solve challenges that matter. With a hands-on approach and creative problem solving, we explore new ideas and pursue impact through industry, policy, and community collaboration.

Transformational – we create innovative solutions that drive meaningful change – locally, regionally, and globally.

FAQs

Will applications for part-time Fellowships be considered? If so, could the part-time position include only the research-focused component?

Applications are welcome for part-time fellowships. If a fellowship is awarded part-time then the research and teaching focused parts of the fellowship would be pro-rata.

What are the requirements for candidates having a PhD? Can a candidate who has submitted their PhD but not had their viva apply?

To be eligible, candidates must have had their PhD viva and had any corrections approved. They need not have graduated at the time of the application, but will need to be able to provide confirmation of being awarded their PhD before starting.

Do I need to upload a copy of the research proposal in the application form?

This is not a requirement but applicants are welcome to attach any additional information to support their application if they would like. Candidates are also asked to outline how their proposed research fits with Aston University’s strategic research priorities as part of their application. Short-listed candidates will have the opportunity to discuss their research proposal in detail at interview.

What determines the permanent academic position offered at the end of the Fellowship?

This will be determined according to the current Grade of the Fellow at that time. Grade 8 Fellows will normally be expected to move onto Lecturer Contracts, subject to progress, and Grade 9 Fellows onto Senior Lecturer contracts, subject to progress.

Is it necessary to identify a host lab or academic sponsor in advance within Aston University, or will applications be considered based solely on alignment with the key strategic research themes?

It is not mandatory to identify a host in advance, however, as Fellows will be expected to integrate and align with the research within Aston University, it is important that applicants can explain in detail how their research aligns with our current research. Applicants will have the opportunity to detail this fit as part of their application.

Do I need to complete the full application form for this position, or can I submit a CV instead?

All candidates are required to complete the full application form. This allows us to assess everyone consistently and fairly, based on the same set of application questions. While a CV cannot be submitted instead of the form, you will have the option to upload a CV as part of your application if you wish.

What funding will be available to support Fellows during their Fellowship?

Funding for training and development will be made available to all Fellows for the duration of their Fellowship.  Dependent on the needs of the research discipline, support for research-related resources (such as fieldwork, consumables and data collection costs) will be agreed with the host College at the point of the Fellowship being awarded and will be reviewed periodically (through the annual planning round).  Fellows with be expected to apply for external funding as part of their fellowship and will be supported to do so.  Fellows would also be eligible to apply for University Pump-priming funding.

The advert mentions a "bespoke training and mentoring programme" as part of the fellowship. Is there any more detail on what this involves? 

A bespoke training and mentoring programme will be developed with the Fellow at the start of their fellowship to address any training and development needs identified and identify the support needed to enable them to succeed.  This will be developed in conjunction with the Fellow and their line manager and will address all aspects of successful research career, for example, publishing, supervising others, applying for funding, achieving research impact, ethics and integrity, and open science considerations.

The post is described as a fixed-term position for three years, with a possible extension "subject to progress". Could you clarify what "progress" entails?

Objectives for the Fellowship will be set and agreed with Fellows at the start of the Fellowship.  These will be reviewed and monitored with the fellow using the University's "My Personal Development Conversation" process.

What will the interview process involve?

Shortlisted applicants will be invited to a panel interview where they will be invited to present their research vision for their fellowship. Interview panels will comprise representation from across each respective College.