• 8 PhD Fellowship schemes will be accepting applications in 2020/2021
  • All dates are provisional and subject to change
  • Last updated 9 March 2020

POST provides training to the next generation of policy shapers through a range of fellowship schemes. In partnership with their funder, successful PhD students are invited to UK Parliament to work at POST.

While fellows typically get to help us with the production of a POSTnote or POSTbrief, this once in a lifetime opportunity to view the epicentre of policy-making from the inside may also include a secondment to a Select Committee or the House of Commons or House of Lords Libraries.

By the end of their time at POST, our fellows learn how to write for policy with balance and impartiality. They also develop a unique understanding of Westminster and forge important relationships with key stakeholders, while often delving into a novel and exciting topic of research.

All POST Fellows need to be able to work in the UK. POST Fellowships can only be confirmed after successful security vetting. This includes a Counter Terrorist Check.

Below you can find POST fellowships that will accept applications in 2019/2020. You will find eligibility criteria and provisional application opening and closing dates.

The Nuffield Foundation

Applications reopen November 2020

Applicants will be:

  • doing a PhD in a UK university,
  • doing a PhD on a scientific or quantitative social science field, and
  • in their last or second to last year of study.

Nuffield Fellows have worked on topics such as:

For more information, see the 2019/2020 call for applications.

The Royal Society of Chemistry

Applications now open for 2020/2021.

Applicants will be:

  • doing a PhD or have completed a PhD in the last six months,
  • be a member of the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) or submit an application for RSC membership alongside their fellowship application.

RSC Fellows have worked on topics such as:

  • Climate change and infrastructure (in production)

For more information, see the 2020/2021 call for applications.

The Wellcome Trust

Applications now open for 2020/2021

Applicants will be:

Wellcome Fellows have worked on topics such as:

For more information, see the currently open 2020/2021 call for applications.

The British Ecological Society

Applications reopen June/July 2020

Applicants will be:

  • doing a PhD in a UK university,
  • in their 2nd, 3rd or 4th year of full-time study or part-time equivalent,
  • members of the British Ecological Society (BES).

Wellcome Fellows have worked on topics such as:

For more information, see the 2019/2020 call for applications.

The Institute of Food Science and Technology

Applications reopen April/May 2020

Applicants will be:

  •  

IFST Fellows have worked on topics such as:

For more information, see the 2019/2020 call for applications.

The British Psychological Society

Applications reopen June/July 2020

Applicants will be:

  • postgraduate students registered for a doctoral degree in a psychology-related subject e.g. PhD/MPhil or taught practitioner doctorates (DClinPsy etc) at a UK HE institution,
  • in their last or second to last year of their studies,
  • in part or full-time study at the time of the start of their placement at POST, and
  • at least graduate members of the British Psychological Society (BPS)

BPS Fellows have worked on topics such as:

For more information, see the 2019/2020 call for applications.

UK Research and Innovation

Applications reopen July/August 2020

Applicants will be:

  • doing a PhD funded by the Research Councils of UK Research and Innovation (AHRC, BBSRC, ESRC, EPSRC, MRC, NERC and STFC),
  • able to start their fellowship before the end of their funded period of study

UK Research and Innovation Fellows have worked on topics such as:

For more information, see the 2019/2020 call for applications.