Tag: Research Staff

LERU Talks: AI and research grants: Is the system doomed to collapse? 26 June

LERU Talks – AI and research grants: is the system doomed to collapse?

Increasingly advanced AI models are profoundly changing how researchers develop research grant proposals and how reviewers assess them. This is exciting but perhaps also threatening the system as we know. Join us for a discussion about what it means for universities, funders and research policy actors.

On Friday 26 June 2026, 13.15-14.15 CEST, LERU Talks is sitting down with two eminent experts:
·         Geraint Rees, Professor or Cognitive Neurology and Vice-Provost Research, Innovation and Global Engagement, University College London

·         James Wilsdon, Professor of Research Policy, University College London, and Executive Director of the Research on Research Institute (RoRI)
Moderator: Dr Katrien Maes, LERU Engagement Ambassador / EDI and sustainability specialist
The experts will engage on questions such as:
·         What kinds of challenges are arising from these developments?

·         Is the grant-funding system due for a complete overhaul?

·         How are universities and funders dealing with these challenges?
The discussion will be live-streamed via Zoom. The online audience will be able to submit written questions, which will be put to the speakers live. The link of the live stream will be sent to all registrants in due course.

This event is part of the LERU Talks series, an online interview and discussion forum connecting the worlds of universities and science policymakers, and bringing this interaction to a wide audience.

Visit the event webpage to learn more about the speakers

Register for the online LERU Talks event

2026 Korea InnoCORE Global Postdoctoral Recruitment Fair (2 June)

You are warmly invited to the 2026 InnoCORE Global Postdoctoral Job Fair
– London : 2 June 2026, from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM
– München : 5 June 2026, from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM
– Zürich : 8 June 2026, from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM

Korea’s leading science and technology institutes—KAIST, GIST, DGIST, and UNIST—are seeking postdoctoral researchers who are ready to help shape the future through world-class research infrastructure and strong international collaboration.

The 2026 InnoCORE Global Postdoctoral Job Fair will be held in major cities across Europe and will offer a valuable opportunity to explore research careers, postdoctoral positions, and PhD-related opportunities in Korea.

The event will feature an introduction to the InnoCORE research groups, along with opportunities for 1:1 Research Meeting (with potential interview opportunity) with research teams based on participants’ fields of interest.

We hope this event will be a meaningful opportunity for those who are ready to begin a new research journey in Korea or continue their work on a broader global stage.

If you are interested, please apply through the link below.

For more information about this event, please visit : https://www.innocore-jobfair.com/

To participate in the event survey : https://forms.gle/t86FCMUKjtt1f5cLA

CfAE ‘Writing a research paper’ sessions (27 May, 03, 10 & 17 June 2026)

Writing a paper for publication?

Register for CfAE’s ‘Writing a research paper’ activity sessions.

In these sessions, you will be trained to become more reader-aware through guided analysis of published research papers to identify the structure, language and strategies used by successful writers in your field. This training will both speed up your writing and ensure your paper truly communicates the value of your research to an increasingly global and interdisciplinary readership. Many participants who’ve benefited from this training have fed back that it’s transformed their approach to writing papers.

In case you’re not aware, all members of Imperial (whether or not English is their first language) at all stages of their degree or academic career have the opportunity to benefit from CfAE provision.

These weekly 50-minute sessions are offered online.

Upcoming sessions:

Writing a successful abstract: Wednesday 27 May 16.00-17.00

Writing a successful introduction: Wednesday 3 June 16.00-17.00

Writing a successful results section: Wednesday 10 June 16.00-17.00

Writing a successful discussion and conclusions section: Wednesday 17 June 16.00-17.00

Reserve your place by filling out the registration form.

Further information: Work on your writing in guided activity sessions

 

IX Women in AI Women in Science Career Day (10 June 2026)

We are pleased to announce the return of the IX Women in AI (IX-WAI) Women in Science Career Day. An inspiring event dedicated to empowering women in science, AI, and technology.

What to expect:
✨ Tailored workshops across three streams, covering topics including research funding, industry careers, and personal brand.
✨ Networking with leading researchers, industry professionals, and start-up founders
✨ Hands-on learning and expert insights from women in STEM who can share their experiences
✨ Inspiring conversations around innovation, leadership, and inclusion in science and AI

Key details:

📅 Date: 10 June 2026
🕤 Time: 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM
📍 Location: IX Centre for AI in Science, 6th Floor i-Hub, White City Campus

🎟️ Register here

Who is the event for?

This event is designed mainly for PhD students and early career researchers, but anyone with a passion for STEM and a curiosity about the diverse career paths available is very welcome. Whether considering a career in academia, industry, or even launching your own start-up, join us to connect, learn, and explore the diverse career paths available with a supportive community.

Grantham Institute seeking volunteers for Great Exhibition Road Festival

The Grantham Institute is looking for volunteers to take part in this year’s Great Exhibition Road Festival at three stalls on Sat 6 June from 12 – 6pm and Sun 7 June 2025 from 11am – 6pm. We will offer gift vouchers as a token thank you to volunteers, unless you are able to arrange time off in lieu.

  1. Grantham’s Climate Friendly Pop Up Kitchen in Exhibition Road. This popular award-winning stall will offer a selection of plant-based food samples, recipe cards, info leaflets and interactive games about sustainable food. The aim is to show that climate friendly cooking is healthy, affordable and delicious.This would suit someone who’s passionate about food, particularly plant-based food – and keen to talk to the public about small changes we can make to benefit the planet.

  2. The Eco Pawprint of our Pets in the Family Fun Zone near the Albert Memorial demonstrate the ecological damage pets flea and tick treatments can do to wildlife, giving visitors the chance to learn how to reduce use of these and how to dispose of them safely if a pet has fleas. The stall will be run by Imperial’s PREPP team of vets, ecologists and water experts. There will be interactive activities including testing river water samples to check the prevalence of flea and tick treatments, looking at fleas under a microscope and an art activity for kids creating dragonflies, butterflies and bees – all at threat from these treatments – as part of a vibrant collage.This would suit someone who’s an animal/ nature lover, keen to do engagement with families and young children or who has creative skills.

  3. The Urban Wildlife stall in the Underground Adventure Zone in Princess Gardens will offer visitors the chance to make seed bombs packed with wildflower seeds to plant in their garden, park or in a window box. The team will also offer their Decision Tree, advising on the most pollinator friendly plants you can grow on windowsills/ balconies/ patios and gardens. Visitors will also be able to play the Scurry through the City boardgame, which focuses on the importance of pocket parks, planters and pollinator friendly flowers.This would suit someone passionate about nature and ecology happy to chat with kids and adults alike.

Time slots

You can volunteer for one or more timeslots on one or both stalls.

Saturday
10.30am – 12noon Setting up
12noon – 2pm Chatting to visitors, playing interactive games etc
2 – 4pm As above
4 – 6pm As above
6 – 7pm Tidying up

Sunday
10.30am – 11am Setting up
11am – 2pm Chatting to visitors, playing interactive games etc
2 – 4pm As above
4 – 6pm As above
6 – 7.30pm Tidying up

Please contact Linsey Wynton, l.wynton@imperial.ac.uk, with the activity you would like to support and the date and times you are available ASAP. Online briefings meeting for volunteers will take place ahead of the festival.

Survey on how ECRs use generative AI

The Early Career Researcher Institute (ECRI) is carrying out a survey to find out how Early Career Researchers (ranging from doctoral students to early career lecturers) use generative AI as part of their research process.

Our goal is to understand what practices are currently common in the community with a view to disseminating best practice, informing the teaching provision we provide to the community, and advocating on the behalf of ECRs in the Imperial community at large.

The link can be found here, and should take around 10 minutes to complete

Venture Catalyst Challenge 2026 – Applications Open (deadline: 14 June)

Applications are now open for the Venture Catalyst Challenge (VCC) 2026, Imperial’s flagship entrepreneurial competition for Students, Alumni and Early Career Researchers.

Over three months, 25 teams will receive 1‑to‑1 coaching, expert meetings, evening workshops and pitch training to help turn bold ideas into real‑world ventures, competing across five tracks for a share of a £100,000 equity‑free prize fund.

The programme starts in August 2026, with applications open now and closing on Sunday, 14 June 2026.

Find out more and apply: https://www.imperialenterpriselab.com/programmes/vcc/

Any questions: vcc@imperial.ac.uk

2 Year AI in Science Fellowships, supported by Schmidt Sciences

About the role:

Applications are invited for prestigious Eric and Wendy Schmidt AI in Science Fellowships, a program of Schmidt Sciences, commencing 1 September 2027.

  • Up to six 2-year independent Eric and Wendy Schmidt fellowships dedicated to AI in Science in a program supported by Schmidt Sciences. Further details here (Research Associate level) & here (Research Fellow level)
  • Up to two 2-year independent Chapman-Schmidt fellowships dedicated to AI in Science in a program supported by Schmidt Sciences. Further details here

What you would be doing:

The Eric and Wendy Schmidt Ai in Science Fellows will produce independent and original research, using AI to advance science within their host department and the I-X Centre for AI in Science. These fellowships have the aim of identifying excellent researchers and accelerating them in using AI to advance and disrupt Science or Engineering. Here ‘AI’ is interpreted very broadly, e.g.: topics in Bayesian Inference and Robotics; ‘Science’ covers any typical topic in Natural Science and Engineering (Epidemiology, Biology and basic science in biomedicine are included but clinical medical themes are not covered, including conventional medical imaging). Examples include Bayesian optimization for molecular or materials design; machine learning for single cell data; physics-based ML for turbine design and astrostatistics. These posts are not suitable for generic AI research with general application: candidates must be aiming to substantially advance a particular area of science. Applicants could view themselves as AI researchers tackling particular pieces of science or science researchers using AI to transform their area. Extensive AI knowledge is not required, and AI training is offered.

What we are looking for:

Candidates will:

  • Hold, or be near completion of, a PhD (or equivalent) in an appropriate discipline.
  • Have the potential for leadership qualities in the subject, as illustrated, for example, through showing initiative on research projects.
  • Have an outstanding research record commensurate with their level of experience as demonstrated, for example, through an outstanding thesis, publications, conference presentations, code etc.
  • Have a proposal which is within the AI in Science research remit and skills which fit the cohort of AI in Science fellows.
  • For the RF positions candidates will be expected to have several years of experience post-PhD (in research or AI-based industry) and experience supervising team members

 

What we can offer you:

Fellows will join the Eric and Wendy Schmidt Network of researchers and will join a unique co-located cohort of top scholars based in the I-X Centre for AI in Science with tailored training and one-on-one career development. The fellowships are flexible and independent, allowing recipients to freely explore while drawing on expert faculty mentors of their choice.

We have a programme of additional support for women in AI in Science including a coaching circle for women in AI, additional funds for their career development and a community of I-X AI in Science women. The I-X Women in Artificial Intelligence (IXWAI) founded by two of our current Fellows aims to enhance representation of women in AI and foster an environment where they are valued, supported and inspired to achieve their full potential. We expect to appoint at least one candidate through this route.

Further Information

These are full time, fixed term position for 2 years. You will be based at White City Campus.

Candidates who have not yet been officially awarded their PhD will be appointed as a Research Assistant.

If you have any queries about these opportunities, please contact Eileen Boyce at e.boyce@imperial.ac.uk

Joint Fellowships

We have partnered with the Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) and the CNRS. If you are applying for one of these joint fellowships, we require that the principal mentor be in Imperial, but a secondary supervisor must be at ICR/CNRS. Please indicate if this is a joint fellowship by ticking the appropriate ICR/CNRS tick box in the online application form. Please note that these applications will require an institutional letter of support and ICR and CNRS will have their own internal process with a deadline ahead of the closing date below. The ICR deadline will be Monday 29th June at 9am. You must contact Becky Cook (rebecca.cook@icr.ac.uk) at ICR and Carl Iamov carl.ialamov@cnrs.fr and/or Louis Avigdor louis.avigdor@cnrs-dir.fr at CNRS to confirm these internal processes and deadlines

Sticky

Applications open for Early Career Researcher Showcase 2026

Early Career Researcher Showcase 2026
Wednesday 01 July 2026 | South Kensington

This event is a celebration of the research being carried out by the Early Career Researcher community at Imperial College London.

It is ECRI’s mission to empower ECRs to raise their impact both within research and beyond. We aim to foster cross-disciplinary connections and would like to invite you to showcase your research to the wider research community at Imperial. It will be an opportunity to talk to researchers in other faculties and departments and potentially find and forge collaborations.

This is a great opportunity to present your research, compete for prizes and meet students & staff from across the College community!

Applications close on Monday 01 June 2026.

Find out more & Apply