QUEEN'S UNIVERSITY BELFAST
Vice Chancellor's Illuminate Fellowship at Queen's University Belfast
full · phd
- 3 research areasMedicine/Health, Engineering, Psychology
- ~GBP 20,000-50,000 (est.)Research enhancement award
- 1 funded PhD studentRecruited within first 2 years
- 20% capTeaching and admin load in years 3-4
- Senior Lecturer trackClear path to a permanent post
- All nationalitiesInternational applicants welcome
At a glance
full
Funding
€58k
Max amount
Jan 31, 2027
Deadline
All nationalities eligible
Country
Queen's University Belfast
Provider
The Vice Chancellor's Illuminate Fellowship is a career-development research fellowship at Queen's University Belfast, a Russell Group institution founded in 1845 in Belfast, Northern Ireland. It is aimed at early-to-mid-career researchers who already hold a PhD and want a structured path toward a permanent academic post. Fellows are recruited across 3 broad areas: Medicine, Health and Life Sciences (for example cancer, immunology, epidemiology and pharmaceutical sciences); Engineering and Physical Sciences (net-zero engineering, digital twins, sustainable materials and intelligent infrastructure); and Psychology (behaviour change, decision-making and intervention). The package includes an international-scale salary, a fellowship enhancement award reported in the range of GBP 20,000 to GBP 50,000 to support research, funding to recruit a full-time PhD student within the first 2 years, and a defined route to a permanent Senior Lecturer position at the end of the fellowship. Teaching and administration are capped at around 20% in years 3 and 4. Applications are open to researchers of all nationalities. Confirm the exact salary band, enhancement amount and current deadline on the official Queen's Illuminate Fellowships page before applying.
What's covered
- Fellowship salary — A salary set on an international scale appropriate to the fellow's experience, paid for the duration of the fellowship; confirm the exact band on the official page.
- Research enhancement award — A fellowship enhancement award to support research activity, reported in the range of about ~GBP 20,000-50,000 (est.) depending on the project and discipline.
- Funded PhD studentship — Funding to recruit one full-time PhD student within the first 2 years of the fellowship to help build the fellow's research group.
- Career progression — A clear, supported career path toward a permanent Senior Lecturer position at the end of the fellowship term.
- Professional development — Access to the Fellowship Academy network, a mentorship programme and a range of professional development opportunities.
- Relocation support — Relocation expenses in line with Queen's Relocation Policy, with the exact allowance confirmed at offer stage.
How to apply
Applications are made through the Queen's University Belfast Illuminate Fellowships portal. You apply against one of the advertised research areas with a research proposal and supporting documents.
- Review the research themes — Read the current Illuminate themes across Medicine/Health/Life Sciences, Engineering/Physical Sciences and Psychology and identify where your research fits.
- Develop your research proposal — Prepare a research plan that aligns with an existing research strength at Queen's and explains the impact and feasibility of your programme.
- Contact the relevant school — Where required, make contact with the relevant Queen's school or research group to confirm alignment before submitting.
- Complete the online application — Submit your CV, publication record, research proposal and any required references through the Queen's Illuminate Fellowships portal.
- Submit before the deadline — Finalise and submit your application before the advertised closing date for the round.
Eligibility
DoctorateMust hold a completed PhD in a subject relevant to one of the fellowship's research areas.
ExperienceShould have roughly 2-8 years of post-PhD research experience.
Publication recordMust demonstrate a high-quality, relevant publication record.
Research fitMust have a research profile and plan that aligns with existing research strengths at Queen's University Belfast.
NationalityOpen to applicants of all nationalities, including international researchers.
Proposals must fall within the advertised research areas (Medicine/Health/Life Sciences, Engineering/Physical Sciences, or Psychology). Confirm the precise post-PhD experience window and eligible themes for the current round on the official Queen's page.
Eligible countries
All nationalities eligible
Deadlines
2026/2027 fellowship round~31 January 2026 (est.)
Selection
Candidates are assessed on the strength of their PhD and post-doctoral track record, the quality and originality of the proposed research, the publication record, and the fit of the research plan with existing strengths at Queen's. Shortlisted applicants are typically invited to interview and may be asked to present their research vision.
Verified sources
- Queen's University Belfast - Illuminate Fellowshipsqub.ac.ukofficial
- Queen's University Belfast - official sitequb.ac.ukofficial
About the provider
Queen's University Belfast is a Russell Group university founded in 1845 in Belfast, Northern Ireland. It hosts strong research across medicine and life sciences, engineering and physical sciences, and psychology, and runs the Illuminate Fellowship scheme to recruit and develop independent researchers.
Frequently asked questions
Answers below are best-effort estimates from the most recent application cycle. Values marked ~ or (est.) may shift year-to-year — confirm specifics on the official scholarship page.
What is the Vice Chancellor's Illuminate Fellowship?
+
It is a career-development research fellowship at Queen's University Belfast aimed at researchers who hold a PhD and want a supported path toward a permanent academic post.
Is the fellowship fully funded?
+
Yes. It provides an international-scale salary plus a research enhancement award and funding to recruit a PhD student, making it a fully funded research position.
What research areas are eligible?
+
Medicine, Health and Life Sciences; Engineering and Physical Sciences; and Psychology, each with specific advertised themes.
How large is the research enhancement award?
+
It is reported in the range of about ~GBP 20,000-50,000 (est.) to support research. Confirm the exact amount for your round on the official page.
Can international researchers apply?
+
Yes. The fellowship is open to applicants of all nationalities, including international researchers.
Do I need a completed PhD?
+
Yes. You must hold a completed PhD in a relevant subject and typically have around 2-8 years of post-PhD experience.
Does the fellowship lead to a permanent job?
+
Yes. It offers a clear, supported career path toward a permanent Senior Lecturer position at the end of the fellowship.
Will I be able to supervise a PhD student?
+
Yes. The package includes funding to recruit one full-time PhD student within the first 2 years of the fellowship.
How much teaching is involved?
+
Teaching and administrative duties are capped at a maximum of about 20% in years 3 and 4 of the fellowship.
How do I apply?
+
Apply through the Queen's University Belfast Illuminate Fellowships portal with a CV, research proposal and supporting documents against one of the advertised themes.
When is the deadline?
+
For the equivalent 2026/2027 round the deadline is estimated around 31 January 2026 (est.). Confirm the exact date on the official Queen's page.
What support is available beyond salary?
+
Fellows access the Fellowship Academy network, mentorship, professional development and relocation support in line with Queen's policy.