Postdoctoral Fellowships

Postdoctoral Fellowships are awards from an external funding organisation that enable researchers who've completed a PhD to develop their research independence. Typically, successful fellows have a compelling scientific vision and have identified a host lab that will provide excellent training and resources. NPP is home to many world-class research groups that can provide the support, training and mentoring to allow postdoctoral fellows to flourish.

Why NPP for your Fellowship?

UCL is home to Europe's largest Neuroscience research community comprising over 400 research groups.
NPP is a dynamic, inclusive and research-led department with broad expertise spanning receptor pharmacology, biophysics, circuits and systems neuroscience, cardiovascular neurophysiology and neural computation.
NPP is home to researchers developing cutting edge technologies and has state-of-the art Science Technology Platforms for imaging, genomics, mass spectrometry and more.
We provide continuous support and mentorship to support postdoctoral fellows in their research and career progression
The Biosciences Postdoc Committee organises social, networking and careers events for postdocs across the Division

Application Process

If you are interested in applying for a postdoctoral fellowship, please get in touch with an NPP academic in a relevant research area with whom you'd like to work. They are best placed to advise you on how they, their research group and the wider NPP community could support you.

We suggest you get in touch with potential lab hosts at least 2-3 months before the relevant fellowship deadline.

There is no departmental vetting process for postdoctoral fellowships.

Funding Schemes

The schemes listed here provide fellowship support at the postdoctoral level. Note that this list is not exhaustive, and you should consult the relevant funder webpages for up-to-date information. To apply to any of these, contact a suitable host in the department and develop an application in conjunction with them.

BBSRC Discovery Fellowship: The scheme provides support for early career researchers who have the potential to become leaders in their field and plan to pursue independent research within a host lab. The three-year award covers the fellow’s salary as well as the costs of travel, training and research consumables.

Wellcome Early Career Awards: This scheme provides funding for early-career researchers who are ready to develop their research identity through innovative projects that will deliver shifts in understanding. The award is up to five years and provides the fellow's salary plus up to £400k for research expenses.

Marie Skłodowska-Curie Postdoctoral Fellowships: The two MSCA postdoctoral schemes (European and Global) aim to support researchers’ careers and foster excellence in research by enabling researchers to carry out their research activities abroad, acquire new skills and develop their careers.

Royal Society Newton International Fellowship: This scheme is for non-UK scientists who are at an early stage of their research career and wish to conduct research in the UK. The award covers the fellow’s salary for 24 months.

HFSP Postdoctoral Fellowships: HFSP postdoctoral fellowships encourage early career scientists to broaden their research skills by moving into new areas of study while working in a new country. The award covers the fellow’s salary for 3 years, plus a research and travel allowance.

Meet our NPP Post Docs

Guillermo Lopez-Domenech

Josef Kittler Lab

"I am an early career neurobiologist. I am interested in all aspects of mitochondrial biology and am currently investigating the cellular and molecular mechanisms that control mitochondrial homeostasis in neurons and how these mechanisms fail in pathology."

Julianne Fagotti

Trevor Smart Lab

"I am an early career neurophysiologist. My fascination for neuroscience is broad and I am currently working in the molecular, cellular and behavioural basis of stress and anxiety, particularly on the endogenous neurosteroid modulation of GABA receptors and their role in mental health."

Jack Howden

Josef Kittler Lab

"I am a postdoctoral research fellow working in Josef Kittler’s lab in the department of neuroscience, physiology and pharmacology at UCL. I am investigating mitochondria in various cell types of the brain, the role they play in brain function and how mitochondrial dysfunction contributes to the aetiology of neurodegenerative disease."