EPSRC Quantum Technologies Career Acceleration Fellowships ; United Kingdom

King’s College London welcomes expressions of interest from Early Career Researchers (ECRs) who wish to apply for an EPSRC Quantum Technologies Career Acceleration Fellowship (QTCAF) with King’s as their host organisation. Successful applicants would be joining us at an exciting time as we grow our research in quantum technologies and other key priorities in interdisciplinary science. This strategic growth is underpinned by a major programme of investment which will enable 60 new academic appointments across in biology, chemistry, mathematics and physics.

The deadline for receipt of expressions of interest is 5pm on Tuesday 27th February 2024; see details below.

About the scheme

The EPSRC QTCAF scheme is open to candidates who either hold a relevant PhD or have equivalent research experience or training. It provides a 3 – 5 years fellowship to address research and innovation challenges predominantly within quantum technologies. This is a broad research area and includes the spectrum of quantum computing, sensing, timing, imaging and communications, engineering and underpinning science. The QTCAF covers costs including the fellow’s time, staff costs, consumables, travel and subsistence, personalised career development activities, activities to drive entrepreneurship and innovation, and equipment (up to £400k per item). Please note that EPSRC does not fund fees or stipends for postgraduate students through this scheme.

These fellowships are for early career researchers who have not yet secured research or innovation independence, for example, by securing funding aimed at this career stage or managing a significant programme of research. There is no requirement regarding the length of postdoctoral experience or industry work experience to be considered an early career researcher. The definition of early career researchers spans current postdoctoral researchers to those who have recently been appointed to their first academic position.

Full details of the scheme can be found here: https://www.ukri.org/opportunity/epsrc-quantum-technologies-career-acceleration-fellowships/ .

About King’s College London

King’s College London is an internationally renowned university delivering exceptional education and world-leading research in the heart of the UK’s capital. We are delivering a major programme of strategic investment in education, research, space and infrastructure to drive forward sustainable and substantial growth in the core scientific disciplines of biology, chemistry, mathematics and physics. As part of this programme, over 60 new academic staff will be recruited to build on King’s scientific excellence and enable major growth in strategic priority areas such as quantum technologies. The College has a long tradition of supporting fellowship holders’ careers, both during and after the fellowship, and we would expect to appoint successful Fellows to open-ended academic positions by the end of the Fellowship, subject to satisfactory performance and interview.

Selected applicants will be fully supported to develop their application by King’s and will have access to a dedicated academic mentor at King’s, and to individual advice and support from the King’s research development team.

We welcome EoIs in any area of quantum technologies as set out in the EPSRC call. EoIs in quantum computing, sensing, timing, imaging and communications, and engineering are particularly welcome.

Expressions of interest

King’s College London has an internal process for selecting applicants to this scheme.

Those interested in applying for a Quantum Technologies Career Acceleration Fellowship at King’s College London should email susanna.cornick-willis@kcl.ac.uk with the following details:

• Your full name
• Your current research status and affiliation
• A CV (2pp)
• A Case for Support (2-4 pages), including;
  • The vision for your Fellowship
  • The impact you expect your Fellowship to have in the Quantum Technologies landscape.
  • An outline of the proposed project, including workplan. This must include details of a career development work package as outlined in EPSRC’s guidance.
  • Your plans for industry engagement to take your research closer to commercialisation.
  • Reason for choosing King’s as the host institution.
• Confirmation of your fit to the eligibility criteria

Applications must be received by 5pm on Tuesday 27th February 2024 at the latest. If you have any queries about the process or your eligibility, please email Mike Ward (michael.ward@kcl.ac.uk ) or Cecilia Rossiter (cecilia.rossiter@kcl.ac.uk ). After assessment by King’s, selected candidates will be invited to develop a full application with King’s as their host organisation for submission to EPSRC.