NINE DTP postdoctoral fellowships are aimed at those in the immediate postdoctoral stage of their career, to provide an opportunity to consolidate their PhD through developing publications, expanding networks, and enhancing their research and professional skills.

Fellowships must be aligned to an accredited DTP 'Pathway'. See the NINE DTP Pathway table for participating departments.

Full details about the fellowship scheme can be found on the ESRC’s Call Specification and FAQs available in the column on the right side of this page.

Fellowship purpose

Unlike some postdoctoral fellowships, this scheme is designed to help recent PhDs consolidate their recently completed doctoral work, e.g. through developing publications, establishing networks, and implementing impact-orientated activities (see the Call Specification for a more extensive list of potential ‘consolidation’ activities).

Eligibility

Applicants must have received their PhD from a UK Research Organisation. Specifically, they must have had their viva (and either passed or passed with minor revisions). They also may have had no more than 15 months of postdoctoral research experience, measured from the applicant’s viva voce pass date to the application deadline. Successful candidates must also meet conditions for employment at the university where they will be carrying out their fellowship, as well as securing a valid visa or work permit, if required.

Mentoring

A key component of the fellowship is mentorship from a permanent member of staff at the institution hosting the postdoctoral fellowship (this can be any of the seven institutions within NINE DTP). To identify a potential mentor, in addition to perusing department webpages, you may wish to consult relevant pathway leads at the institution(s) you are considering. Pathway leads can be identified via our Pathways page.

Benefits

The fellowship provides salary (generally at Point 30 on the national Higher Education pay-scale, set at £38,784 for 2025-26). In addition, fellows may budget £7,500 for other costs including mentoring costs, travel and subsistence, conference attendance and training.

Assessment

An initial panel, consisting of pathway leads from the institution at which you are hoping to undertake your placement, will review expressions of interest to select a shortlist to invite to submit a full application.

Full applications will be assessed according to six criteria (each of which is described further in the ESRC Call Specification):

• Quality of work programme
• Value for money
• Mentoring arrangements
• Impact and outputs
• Consideration of ethical issues
• Data management plans

The fellowship review panel compromises NINE DTP academic leads with input from external reviewers. Outcomes will be announced in early July. Successful candidates will need to submit their project to the ESRC Funding Service by 23 July for approval. Start date can be no later than 1 October. We anticipate making five awards across NINE DTP.