This Fellowship scheme supports postdoctoral researchers as they begin on their path toward becoming independent researchers. For this pilot scheme, applications were limited to applicants based at Departments / Centres / Institutes which are holders of our 2020 and 2022 Multiple PhD Studentship awards. Following the application process which took place in 2024, we would like to welcome our recently appointed Early Career Postdoctoral Fellows – Dr Stella Arakelyan (pictured left, above, and Dr Dan Hayman pictured right).
Stella’s research, based at the University of Edinburgh, works towards understanding how caregiving relationships are developed and sustained among people living with multiple conditions in older age. By doing so, Stella aims to co-create a community-based support initiative to improve experiences of care and the health and wellbeing of carers and care recipients.
Based at the University of Sheffield, Dan’s research will use the fruit fly as a model to explore whether the effects of interventions such as dietary restriction and inhibition of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), both of which are known to affect lifespan, occur through mediation of a gene expression process known as alternative splicing. Dan’s research will shed light on the interconnected pathways that drive ageing and has the potential to reveal new targets for anti-ageing therapies.
For this pilot scheme, all eligible applications underwent external peer review. The applications and peer reviews were then assessed by a Panel comprising members of the Trust’s Research Grants Committee and invited experts listed below. Following this, applicants were shortlisted and provided with feedback whether or not they were invited to interview by the following panel:
- Dr Martin Turner, Babraham Institute (Chair of the Panel, Trustee and Vice-Chair of the Research Grants Committee)
- Dr Mariana Borsa, University of Oxford (Research Grants Committee member)
- Dr Nik Rattray, University of Strathclyde (Research Grants Committee member)
- Dr Jenni Burton, University of Glasgow (DMT Excellence Award holder), with Dr Sanjay Thakrar (then Head of Research) representing Dr Burton’s views at the interview stage.
The Panel interviewed the shortlisted candidates and provided additional feedback based on their assessments during the interviews. We wanted to say thank you to those who applied, as we do appreciate the time and effort that goes in to making an application. We also appreciate the large amount of time and effort that goes into assessing grant proposals, and we wouldn’t be able to keep funding high-quality research without the help of reviewers, panellists, and committee members. We’d therefore like to take this opportunity to thank all those who contributed to the assessment of these proposals.
6 applications were received with 3 awards being recommended by the panel for ratification by the Research Grants Committee (equating to a success rate of 50%) with one successful applicant ultimately deciding to withdraw their application.
The next round of the scheme will be open to all eligible UK research institutions and will be opening in late May 2025 – keep an eye out for more details in our newsletters, social media, and ‘Apply for funding’ page.