Chancellor’s Fellowships in Global Challenges

A new cohort of Chancellor’s Fellowships in Global Challenges (Ref 049711 on the UoE job vacancies website) has just been announced with a closing date of 16 October.

The University of Edinburgh is a world-leading research institution, ranked in the global top 30 in QS, THES and US News Rankings and 4th in the UK for research power (Research Excellence Framework 2014). We have globally leading expertise in the field of international development research and our mission is to make a significant, sustainable and socially responsible contribution to the world. Our leading reputation in development research takes place in partnership with countries across the globe. The far-reaching and long-term importance of our work can be evidenced through the impact of research.  For example our ‘Stamp Out Sleeping Sickness’ project which led to a 90% reduction of human cases of Sleeping Sickness in Uganda and ‘Policy Innovation Systems for Clean Energy Systems’ which improved energy access, employment opportunities and health outcomes for some 300,000 people in East Africa. The UK Collaborative on Development Research selected these projects as two of the top 20 most impactful case studies in REF2014.

The Chancellor's Fellowships in Global Challenges build on our outstanding development research and our highly prestigious tenure-track Chancellor’s Fellowship programmes. We are now investing in developing a unique cohort of 10 researchers of the highest quality who will focus specifically on addressing the challenges faced by developing countries, but who can come from any discipline and have capacity to work across disciplinary interfaces.

Funding for these posts is contributed to by the Global Challenges Research Fund, a £1.5billion Government initiative, forming part of the UK's Official Development Assistance (ODA) commitment.  Research and educational activities carried out by the Chancellor’s Fellows will be ODA compliant, promoting the economic development and welfare of developing countries as the main objective of the research, and with these countries as the main beneficiary.

We will recruit a cohort of next generation international research leaders, focused on issues critical to development, whose work is innovative, interdisciplinary and above all impactful. We will consider research leaders from across all disciplines whose work engages with the Sustainable Development Goals. However, we are particularly encouraging candidates who will focus on or work across:

• Migration and Refugees
• Natural Hazards and Disaster Risk
• Conflict Resolution (including PeaceTech)
• Sustainable Cities
• Data and Digital Development
• Global Health
• Food Systems
• Education and Employability
• Affordable and Clean Energy

Based in the heart of one of the world’s finest cities, these prestigious 5-year awards support early career researchers and academic innovators of the highest promise from all countries to develop their careers in a supportive, high quality environment.

The Chancellor’ Fellows will be expected to have already established a reputation for high quality research and innovation. Candidates with enduring developing country partnerships, international academics and those interested in interdisciplinary collaboration are particularly welcomed.

The Fellows’ initial primary focus will be on producing world-class research, innovation and fully realising its impact in developing countries. Fellows will work to build existing and new research communities, and with a vision for future research-led teaching innovations. The University will provide you with a generous start-up package. Fellows will also be progressively trained in contemporary on-line and blended education. Over time, you will take up the full range of core academic activities, including teaching, academic leadership and partnership development commitments.

The Chancellor’s Fellows will be ambassadors of research for development impact and will build a community of practice around global challenges research and its impact. You will work closely with the University’s International Development Research Support Office and enhance the University’s ability to conduct ODA compliant research in your particular thematic area, as well as build strategic partnerships with institutions in developing countries.

It is anticipated that following a successful end of year three review you will get the opportunity to transition to an open-ended post at an appropriate grade.  Appointments will normally be made on the grade 8 academic scale (£41,526-£49,553), dependent on experience, but in exceptional circumstances a more senior appointment may be made at grade 9 (£52,559 - £59,135). Relocation support and immigration fee assistance is available, including practical support for spouse/partner and families.

The culture of the University is open and diverse and we strive to replicate that in our appointments. We are the proud holder of a prestigious Athena SWAN Silver Institution Award recognising our work in supporting the advancement of gender equality in academia. As women and members of ethnic minorities are currently under-represented in posts at this level we particularly encourage applications from members of these groups. We are committed to support individuals looking to return to research after a career break for family, caring or health reasons.

To find out more about the Chancellor’s Fellowships and the application process, click here.

To apply directly please follow this link, click here.