Research Career Development Fellowships – Expression of Interest 2025(UK visa sponsorship available)

Job Description

About Us

The Research Department of Cell and Developmental Biology (CDB) at UCL invites Expressions of Interest from early career researchers seeking sponsorship for external research fellowships to establish an independent group through a tenure-track pathway.

UCL is ranked 9th in Biological Sciences (QS 2026 World University Rankings). CDB is part of the Division of Biosciences and provides a rich, collaborative research environment with access to state-of-the-art facilities (UCL Science Technology Platforms

Our research spans animal development, stem cell biology, organelle biology, neuroscience, functional and evolutionary morphology, and cell signaling. We host specialist centres such as:

UCL Centre for Integrative Anatomy

UCL Consortium for Mitochondrial Research

CDB also maintains strong links with the Francis Crick Institute, Natural History Museum, and the Sainsbury-Wellcome Centre for Neural Circuits and Behaviour.

About the Role

We are seeking exceptional early career scientists addressing fundamental biological questions with innovative approaches and technologies.

Applicants may work in any area of Cell or Developmental Biology or related fields, but we particularly welcome those whose research aligns with the Centre for Engineering Life in areas such as:

Synthetic developmental biology

Machine learning approaches in biology

The ability to contribute to teaching in cell biology, developmental biology, or anatomy will be considered an advantage.

Application Process

To apply, please send a single PDF document to michael.wright@ucl.ac.uk
containing:

Full CV, including referee contact details

A 1-page outline of your proposed fellowship project (with a title)

A cover letter explaining:

How your proposal fits the fellowship scheme(s) you are targeting

A timeline for your application(s)

How your research programme complements CDB

Please do not apply via the “Apply Now” button.

About You

We are looking for candidates who:

Demonstrate an exceptional research track record for their career stage

Show clear potential to secure a major external fellowship

Have innovative, high-impact research proposals with strong synergy to CDB research areas

Shortlisted applicants will:

Deliver a departmental seminar

Meet with faculty members (online or in-person)

Those selected will receive:

Dedicated support for fellowship applications (including mock interviews)

Post-award mentoring and career development through the Biosciences Fellowship Network

Access to PhD recruitment programmes and further funding opportunities

Consideration for a permanent academic position, assessed one year before fellowship completion

What We Offer

Fellowships available for sponsorship include (but are not limited to):

Wellcome Trust Career Development Award

UKRI Future Leaders Fellowship

MRC Career Development Award

CRUK Career Development Fellowship

ERC Starting Grant

Royal Society University Research Fellowship

Royal Society Dorothy Hodgkin Fellowship

EPSRC Open Fellowship

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

UCL is committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion. We believe diversity drives creativity and innovation, and we aim to create a workplace where everyone belongs.

We particularly encourage applications from:

Black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates

Disabled candidates

LGBTQI+ researchers

Women (particularly for Grade 9 and 10 roles)

CDB holds an Athena SWAN Silver Award, recognising our progress and commitment to advancing gender equality.

More on UCL’s commitment: Equality, Diversity & Inclusion