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Schemes for Engineers in Research and Development
MOD Research Fellowship: Frequently asked questions
In the case of uncertainty,
the Rules and Conditions of the Fellowship are to
take precedence.
1.What is the closing date
for applying for the RAEng/MOD Research Fellowship?
5pm Friday 15 May 2009.
2.How many Fellowships are
available?
It is anticipated that one
Fellowship will be made.
3. In which area must the
proposed research lie?
The research is to be in the
field of energy mitigation in blast and impact
loading.
4. How can I apply?
The application form can be
downloaded from www.raeng.org.uk/research, along
with guidance notes. Together with this form you are
required to submit a full CV, research proposal,
proposed timeline and a supporting letter from the
Head of Department of the Host University. Full
details are available in the
Guidance Notes (37KB) .
5. How many applications on
average are received for the scheme?
This is the first year the
Fellowship is being offered therefore it is unknown
how many applications will be received.
6. Are there any experience limitations?
Applicants should be about to
complete their PhD or have up to, but not more than,
three years postdoctoral research experience at the
closing date of the application round. There is no
age limit for the Fellowship but applicants should
have a substantial academic career ahead of them.
7. Are there nationality or
other eligibility requirements?
Due to the sensitive nature of
the research and involvement with Dstl applicants
must be UK nationals. Appointment will be dependent
upon the applicant obtaining MOD security clearance
and the placement of a non-disclosure agreement
between Dstl and the applicant. Applicants must have
less than three years post doctoral experience, or
who are about the complete their PhD, and can be
working in any engineering discipline.
8. Will The Academy help me
find a Host University so that I can apply?
It is the responsibility
of the applicant to make contact with a Host
University and gain acceptance from the relevant
Head of Department prior to applying to the scheme.
A listing of UK universities can be found on
www.scit.wlv.ac.uk/ukinfo.
9. Do I need to nominate a
referee?
Yes, you are required to
provide The Academy with the contact details of two
referees, one of whom will be contacted during the
review process. You should contact both nominated
referees and inform them of this.
10. Can the Fellowship be
held at an industrial organisation?
Fellowships cannot be held
at an industrial organisation, although research can
be carried out with industry providing the research
is relevant to the core programme of the Fellowship.
11. What does the
Fellowship provide for?
Funding will be on a full
economic costing basis and include gross salary,
indirect and estates costs. Full costing details
will only be required from applicants that
are selected for interview. Applicants should liaise
with their Research Support Office of their intended
Host University for advice on allowable costs.
12. When will I hear the
outcome of the peer review process?
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April 2009 |
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Call announced |
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May 15 2009 |
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Deadline for applications
All applications due in by 5pm |
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Proposal reviewed
1 nominated by applicant
1 from Dstl
1 RAEng Fellow |
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| June 2009 |
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Referees' comments
All applicants to receive feedback |
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Unsupportive reviewers’ assessment
Applicants informed they were not successful |
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Supportive reviewers' assessment
Opportunity for applicants to respond to
reviewers’ comments |
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| June 2009 |
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Sift Panel
A shortlist of applicants selected to be
interviewed Applicants not selected for
interview are informed |
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| July 2009 |
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Interviews held
Applicants not successful are informed |
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August 2009 |
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Fellowship awarded |
13. When can the Research
Fellowship commence?
The Research Fellow is
expected to begin from October 2009 and no later
than March 2010.
14. What is the duration of
the Fellowship?
The Fellowship is for 60
months (or five years) full time.
15. Can the Fellowship be
held part-time?
In certain circumstances
Research Fellowships can be held part-time.
Applicants may request that the Fellowship be held
part-time (at no less than 50% of time) at the time
of application. Alternatively, it can be converted
to part-time or back to full-time during the course
of the Fellowship.
16. Can the Fellowship be extended?
Extensions to Research
Fellowships beyond 60 months are not permitted.
17. What is the employment
status of a Research Fellow?
The Research Fellow must be
employed solely by the host organisation during the
period of the Fellowship. The organisation must
accept all the normal responsibilities of an
Employer, and ensure that adequate facilities are
made available for the research proposed. The
applicant may already hold a permanent position at
the Host Institution at the time of application.
18. Can a Research Fellow
move during the course of the Fellowship?
A degree of mobility during
the course of a Research Fellowship may be
beneficial. This would include plans to engage in
collaborative research at centres of excellence
overseas. Any proposal to transfer the Fellowship to
a different organisation within the UK would need to
be discussed with the existing and proposed host
organisations. If the new organisation agrees to
host the Fellowship, The Academy and Dstl will
normally be agreeable to a transfer. In such cases
the original Fellowship would be closed and a new
one issued for the balance of the funding period.
19. Can the Research
Fellowship be interrupted?
The Fellowship may be
interrupted not more than twice during the period of
their Fellowship to spend time on activities
unsupported but directly related to the Fellowship.
Such periods of abeyance must not exceed 2 years in
total. Prior agreement must be sought from The
Academy. It is unlikely that agreement will be given
for a break during the final year of Fellowship.
Where periods of abeyance are agreed, the award will
be extended by a period of time equal to the length
of the break.
20. Can Research Fellows
pursue other work during the course of their
fellowship?
Research Fellows are expected
to devote their whole working time to research. Up
to four hours a week may, however, be spent on
teaching and demonstrating.
21. Is it possible to take
maternity or paternity leave during the Fellowship?
As employees of the host
institution Research Fellows are entitled to
maternity or paternity leave under the employing
institution’s guidelines. The Fellowship will be
suspended for the duration of the leave period.
22. Will I be provided with
a mentor?
A mentor will be provided to
offer advice and facilitate industrial links as the
research progresses. The mentor will be a Fellow of
The Royal Academy of Engineering.
23. How will The Academy
monitor my progress?
The University will establish
a Steering Group comprising the University Head of
Department, the Incumbent, The Academy Mentor and
The Academy Scheme Manager which will meet formally
on an annual basis to review the progress made by
the Incumbent. Prior to this meeting the Incumbent
will submit a formal progress report which will be
reviewed at the meeting.
The Research Fellow is also
expected to submit a report every 6 months to The
Academy and Dstl.
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