Apply to join EPSRC Engineering Early Career Forum 2026

Overview

EPSRC is seeking applications from Early Career academics to join the Early Career Forum in the Engineering Research for a two-year term. We are looking to recruit about 10- 15 new members in this exercise. A brief institutional statement of support is required. EPSRC wishes to invite Forum members across the full breadth of the Engineering theme. This includes our portfolios and other area of Engineering discipline.

Why your views matter

This opportunity is available to early career researchers from across the engineering remit. To recognise the range of career paths in engineering, there is no specific definition of “early career”; however, applicants should demonstrate why they consider it appropriate to describe themselves as such. This forms part of the assessment criteria outlined below.

Some indicators that an individual might be considered Early Career are given below. These are not exhaustive or definitive but may help applicants to decide whether this is the right opportunity for them, and to explain why they would consider themselves to be Early Career. The panel may also refer to these indicators but will be encouraged to take a broad view when assessing whether an applicant is at a suitable point in their career.

• The applicant is in the process of establishing their research independence and their research team, or these are newly established. Established leaders of research groups would not be suitable for this opportunity.

• The applicant has aspirations to leadership within their research community, and/or some experience of community leadership, but may not have a significant track record of community leadership at a national level.

• The applicant has a good awareness of the international and strategic context of their research and is starting to show evidence of recognition in the community. 

We welcome and encourage applications from candidates from a diverse range of backgrounds, including those with different protected characteristics (e.g. sex, ethnicity, disability) and socioeconomic backgrounds. Details about EPSRC’s approach to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion may be found at Equality, diversity and inclusion – EPSRC – UKR. 

This opportunity is open to full-time and part-time academic staff, fellowship holders, early career professionals from industry, or those who are on sabbatical leave or career break. 

Individuals interested in applying for this opportunity who are unsure of their eligibility should contact EPSRC Engineering Theme (see contact).