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Details of fellowships, supporting funding schemes and summer school program will be posted here.
Calls and Funding
- UCLQ Postdoctoral Fellowship 2019/20
This scheme will support two fellowships of approximately 18 months’ duration for exceptional researchers who are completing or have recently finished, a PhD. This is the third round of a series of regular calls supported by the award of a Training and Skills Hub to UCLQ by EPSRC. These are prestigious fellowships that are intended to provide support for outstanding candidates who are beginning to develop independent research careers. They are not intended as follow-on support to enable recently graduated students to continue working on their PhD project. We are looking to provide opportunities for candidates who anticipate applying for prestigious fellowships (for example, those offered by the Royal Academy of Engineering, EPSRC or the Royal Society) and would benefit from a further 18 months’ funding before making such applications. Students from other institutions who meet the eligibility criteria may also apply to join UCL under this scheme; we will also consider applications from UCL graduates who wish to work in partnership with other institutions within the UK National Quantum Technologies Programme.
Eligibility Criteria
- Applicants should either be about to submit their PhD, or have submitted their PhD no more than 6 months before the closing date;
- Applicants must be eligible to work in the UK, but need not have been funded by EPSRC for their PhD;
- The proposed project must be within the area of quantum technologies, with an emphasis on the engineering of quantum effects for applications;
- The candidate must have the support of their host Department, who will nominate a suitable mentor for the applicant;
- The project mentor must not be the candidate's PhD Supervisor (primary or secondary);
- Projects must be a minimum of 1 year in duration, and planned in such a way that they end by March 31st 2021;
- The candidate must have submitted their PhD thesis before the fellowship can commence;
- Awards will be made at UCL Grade 7, Point 29 (including London Allowance where applicable);
- Limited associated costs (travel, consumables, minor equipment) can be included but must be fully justified in the proposal – these costs should not normally exceed £10k per annum. Funds cannot be used to buy any single piece of equipment costing more than £10,000;
- If unsuccessful, applicants are not allowed to reapply for this scheme unless they have been specifically invited to by the panel.
Application process and proposal format
Proposals should be led and submitted by the fellowship candidate. There is no application form. The application should consist of:
- 3-side Case for Support;
- 2-side CV;
- 1-side Host Department Letter of Support.
- All documents should be written in font size 11 or above (Arial or Times New Roman) with 2cm margins all around.
The Case for Support (no more than 3 sides) should give details of the applicant’s name and host department, the start and end date, the project title, and the proposed mentor. It should also describe the background, aims and objectives, methodology and work plan for the project, and include a brief statement of the applicant’s career goals. It should also detail and justify any non-salary costs. Applicants are encouraged to consider the review criteria in preparing their proposals.
The Letter of Support (no more than one side) should be signed by the relevant Head of Department or equivalent. As well as detailing the personal qualities of the applicant, it should detail the fit of the proposed project to the Department’s research strategy, and the support the candidate will receive if successful (including mentoring).
Applications should be submitted as pdf and emailed to Cian O'Neill, UCLQ Institute Administrator (cian.o'neill [at] ucl.ac.uk) by the end of Friday, August 16th 2019. Download this call as a pdf file.
Review criteria
Applications will be considered by a small panel of academics. As part of the assessment, applicants will be asked to attend a short 15-minute interview during which they will also provide a 3-minute presentation about their proposed project. Interviews will be held in the first or second week of September 2019 in UCL (exact timings and location TBC). For external candidates, to minimise travel requirements, it will be possible to join this interview virtually (via Skype). Depending on demand, it may be necessary to pre-select a subset of candidates for interview based on the documents submitted. The criteria used by the panel to select successful candidates will be as follows:
- Track record of the applicant (in research as well as related duties such as supervision, teaching, public engagement, knowledge transfer, and so on);
- Quality of the proposed project (including perceived novelty, planning and methodology);
- Appropriateness of the resources;
- Independence, leadership potential, and long-term career plans of the applicant.
Award conditions
- Successful applicants will be granted up to one calendar year to commence their fellowships (however, the end date cannot be later than March 31st 2021). Where there is a delay, awards may be reduced or withdrawn.
- Successful applicants can commence the fellowship prior to their PhD viva, however, fellowships may be withdrawn should candidates fail the viva or require substantial corrections to their thesis.
- Successful applicants are expected to deliver outreach and to contribute to the UCLQ community as part of their award.
- Open Call for Innovation Projects in Quantum Technology
We invite proposals for proof-of-concept / demonstrator projects from UCLQ staff and students, in the emerging area of quantum technology.
Support of up to £50k may be requested through this scheme, with the option of further funding (up to a total of £150k) through our venture capital partners. A typical project duration is 6 - 12 months. In additional to the financial support, successful applicants will also be offered mentorship to help develop their demonstrators into a business.
Applications will be assessed on a rolling basis, and the call will close once the funds have been allocated, or by Dec 2020 at the latest. Awards will be made to a start-up company set up by the applicants, however, the existence of the company is not necessary in order to apply, and guidance can be offered to successful applicants in doing this.
Shortlisted applicants will be asked to deliver a pitch to a panel including technical experts in quantum technology, as well as investors.
To apply, please submit an outline application using the outline form attached.
Further details of the scheme can be found below.Supported by InQuBATE, the EPSRC Training & Skills Hub in Quantum Systems Engineering, the UCL Tech Fund, and IP Group.
Eligibility
• We expect teams to be led by UCLQ students or post-doctoral researchers – the focus is on entrepreneurship driven by early-career researchers
• Most applications will be from small teams (e.g. 2-4), though these numbers should be treated as a guideline.
• The recipient of the funding will be a new start-up company led by the team. However, the start-up does not need to be legally incorporated at the time of application.
• Funds may be used to support the time of the applicant(s) (see ‘Eligible costs’ below). In this case the FTE of any other studentship or employment of held by the funded applicant(s) with UCL will need to be reduced accordingly. Students must have upgraded from MPhil to PhD status before such a reduction to part-time status can be made. It is the responsibility of students studying in the UK on a visa to ensure that any proposal is consistent with the conditions of their visa.Conditions of award
• The award will be contingent on the incorporation of the company.
• Start-ups will be given mentorship throughout the period of the award.
• UCL will not seek to take an equity stake in companies in return for this funding.
• Applicants must provide a final report on the outcomes of the award and the use made of Innovation Fund resources.
• Depending on the level of support sought, UCLQ funding may be supplemented by a venture partner (see below), which come with further terms and conditions.Eligible costs
• Consumables and facility costs;
• Rent or space costs;
• Patent and legal costs;
• Travel and subsistence, (with clear justification for the technology development);
• Salary costs for applicant(s).Possibility of additional funding
• Awards may be made in collaboration with UCLQ’s commercial partner investment funds. At their discretion, partner funds may offer additional investment to successful applicants. Such further investment will be on commercial terms and subject to a negotiation with the fund(s); for example, it could be in the form of a convertible note, which can translate into an equity stake in the applicant’s start-up. There will be no obligation on either party to make such an agreement; applicants are strongly advised to take independent legal advice in any negotiation.Size and duration of awards
• We expect to fund awards in the range of £25k - £150k per bid, and typically no more than 12 months in duration. Awards over £50k will typically involve the participation of a venture partner (see above).
• Applicants must provide a roadmap for the development of the technology concept beyond the period of the challenge fund award.
Intellectual property
• Foreground intellectual property developed by the start-up under the award will be owned by the company, however, any arrangement for use of UCL facilities and associated cost will have to be agreed by the relevant Head of Department
• Applicants should identify any background IP owned by UCL (or other organizations) required for the progress of their project. Licensing of any necessary third-party background IP (including UCL-owned IP) does not need to be arranged before an application can be considered. UCLQ will work with applicants to facilitate licensing arrangements with UCL Enterprise and UCL Business.Applications process
• Awards will be made by a panel made up of technical experts (from UCL) and business/enterprise experts (external to UCL).
• There will be a two-stage process: (1) outline application following the form below and (2) pitch to the award panel
• Some feedback may be provided to shortlisted applicants following the outline stage, prior to the pitch, where it is felt this might help strengthen the application
• There is no closing date, but the call will close once the funds have been fully allocated.
• Completed outline applications should be sent to Denise Ottley (d.ottley@ucl.ac.uk).Outline Application
1. Elevator pitch: in 50 words or less explain the proposed project and its potential impact
2. List the team members, including name, affiliation and current position.
3. Describe the strengths of the team – why is this the right team to carry out this project? (max 100 words per team member)
4. In more detail, what is your idea for a proof-of-concept / demonstrator? (max 200 words)
5. What will be the main impact(s)of this idea? (max 100 words)
6. How does this innovation compare to what is currently available commercially, giving key figures of merit? What is your technical advantage (max 200 words)
7. How will this project lead to commercial success for your business? What will your commercial advantage be? (max 200 words)
8. What are the key milestones/deliverables for your project and when do you anticipate reaching them? (max 100 words)
9. Assume your demonstrator project is successful – what happens next? (max 100 words)
10. Budget – how much funding are you requesting for your project, and what is this for? (max 100 words)- Research Fellowship in Quantum Computing
UCLQ is pleased to announce a postdoctoral research fellowship at UCL on software for near-term quantum computers. The role will be part of the EPSRC Prosperity Partnership in Quantum Software for Modelling and Simulation, a collaboration with the University of Bristol, Google, and industry partners.
For full details of the role and how to apply, please see the following link: http://bit.ly/quantum_software
For any queries regarding academic aspects of the fellowships, you can email UCLQ.
The deadline for applications is Friday 9th August.
- Communications and Business Development Manager
- Duties and ResponsibilitiesApplications are invited for the Communications and Business Development Manager for UCL’s Quantum Science & Technology Institute (UCLQ). The postholder will be responsible for the strategy and delivery of communications and marketing activity for UCLQ, including major UCLQ research projects. The post-holder will contribute to business development activities of UCLQ including the marketing short-courses, promoting access to UCLQ facilities, facilitating interactions with key external stakeholders such as industrial partners, and supporting UCLQ researchers in the commercialization of their research (working with UCL Enterprise and other business development staff across UCL).The post holder will have responsibility for day-to-day management of the UCLQ website, digital platforms, media, news, sponsorship, brochures, events (including large-scale public engagement activities and academic conferences) and other aspects of communication as required.Key RequirementsApplicants should have a higher degree qualification (MSc or PhD) or equivalent in the Sciences or Engineering and experience of designing and delivering strategic communications via a range of channels. Experience of liaising and networking with colleagues and stakeholders at all levels, of managing communication channels to engage different audiences and of delivering public engagement activities is essential.Advanced IT proficiency at advanced user level, very strong oral and written communication skills, strong problem solving skills, accuracy with an attention to detail, and project and event management skills are a requirement. An awareness of the potential of quantum technologies and understanding of the areas in which they might impact is desirable.If you have any queries regarding the vacancy or the application process, please contact Denise Ottley, d.ottley[at]ucl.ac.uk, at the London Centre for Nanotechnology, or 17-19 Gordon Street, London WC1H 0AH, for advice.Informal enquiries regarding the vacancy can be made to John Morton, jjl.morton[at]ucl.ac.uk. For full details of the role and how to apply, please see the following link: https://bit.ly/2LVgNnF
The deadline for applications is Thursday, 15th August.
More Opportunities
If there are no opportunities currently available directly with UCLQ, you can also check for vacancies with the departments affiliated with us.
Physics and Astronomy Vacancies London Center for Nanotechnology Vacancies Computer Science Vacancies
UCLQ’s Quantum Tech Summer School Returns for 2019!
*Applications for the UCLQ Summer School 2019 are now closed*
Aimed at undergraduates with a background in engineer and computer science (but also open to those studying Natural Sciences), the summer school will provide a comprehensive introduction to the exciting field of Quantum Technologies, including quantum computing and quantum communication.
From September 2nd-6th, students will have the opportunity to attend lectures from leading experts, including:
- Fundamentals of quantum mechanics
- Quantum computing and qubits
- Quantum algorithms and quantum computing architectures
- Quantum cryptography and quantum communication
- Key technology platforms for quantum computers
Students will also have the change to work hands-on in quantum technologies, including fabricating nanoscale devices and programming current-generation quantum processors. Additionally, students will be able to meet with UCLQ staff and students and have the opportunity to take part in smaller tutorials in quantum information and quantum technologies. The deadline for applications was midnight (BST), June 22nd, 2019. Applicants will be notified of the status of their application by the 22nd of July.
Apply: Quantum Tech Summer School
Fees and Accommodation
Course fees will be fully covered by a grant from the EPSRC. Successful applications will also be guaranteed accommodation near UCL, from September 1st to 6th.
More Opportunities
If there are no opportunities currently available directly with UCLQ, you can also check for vacancies with the departments affiliated with us.