Rising Talent Fellowship
In 2024 the LMB launched the first round of a three-year fully funded fellowship for scientists from Black heritage backgrounds.
While the underrepresentation of Black heritage scientists is evident across the UK’s higher education sector, the LMB is committed to playing its part to improve this and to provide role models for future generations of Black heritage scientists.
That is why we are offering targeted funding for two Fellows every year.
We want to enable scientists of Black heritage who are brimming with potential and passion for molecular biology and the biomedical sciences to learn and gain experience in our unique, collaborative research environment at our state-of-the-art building on the Cambridge Biomedical Campus.
About the LMB Rising Talent Fellowship
This Fellowship is a three-year training and development position for Black heritage scientists who have recently completed their doctoral studies, are moving into a new research discipline or have limited experience of key transferable skills.
For full information about the Fellowship, see the Additional Information document.
Eligibility criteria
This scheme is open to those who:
- Self-identify as being from a Black heritage background, including a mixed Black heritage.
- Have postdoc experience or a PhD in a relevant scientific area. If you are studying for a PhD, you must be within six months of your anticipated thesis submission date.
Benefits
- Competitive postdoc salary for the duration of the Fellowship.
- Generous allowance for training, conference attendance and development (up to £5k over the three years).
- Research consumables included.
- Rising Talent Fellows also have access to all of the LMB’s Employee Benefits.
Support available
- Support from the start – please get in touch with the Fellowship Team to discuss anything about this scheme.
- Opportunity for guidance on relocation.
- Induction and buddy system for new starters.
- Training and development programme.
- Mentoring and coaching.
- Peer-to-peer support.
How to Apply
| Applications open | 17 April 2026 |
| Application deadline | 17 May 2026 |
| Interviews | July 2026 |
| Fellowship starts | October to December 2026 |
1. Express your interest (optional)
If candidates have questions about anything to do with the Fellowship, they are invited to contact the Fellowship Team to request a 30-minute call.
2. Contact Group Leaders
Candidates are encouraged to contact Group Leaders they are interested in working with to learn more about their research and ensure a strong alignment with the LMB’s scientific programme.
Please get in touch if you would like help contacting the Group Leaders.
3. Complete application
Eligible candidates can apply via the ‘Apply Now’ link (available once applications open).
You will need to upload a:
- Completed application form (download available once applications open)
- Covering letter
- Your CV
On the application form you should indicate up to three research areas that you are interested in and/or up to three Group Leaders who you would be interested in working with.
The deadline for applying online is Sunday 17 May 2026
4. Shortlisting stage
After an initial eligibility check, applications will be sent to the relevant Group Leaders for shortlisting on to the panel review stage.
A panel of LMB scientists will then assess all the applications that Group Leaders wish to progress and select the best candidates for interview using the essential and desirable criteria in the job description.
5. Interview and selection
Shortlisted candidates will be interviewed during July 2026.
Candidates will be asked to present their research to date, outlining their scientific achievements and challenges, key areas of discovery and areas of future interest. This will be followed by an assessment of scientific competency, curiosity, motivation and passion via a question and answer session. There will also be a 1:1 meeting with relevant Group Leaders.
6. Start date
For successful candidates the start date will be flexible, but ideally between early October and late December 2026 is preferred.
“At the heart of the fellowship is a commitment to nurturing scientists and ensuring they receive the necessary support and resources to thrive. From the application process through to the interview stage, I was offered assistance and had the chance to engage with various Group Leaders, allowing me to explore my interests and future in science at the LMB.
If you are passionate about research and curious about a career in academic science, I encourage you to apply for the Rising Talent Fellowship. If I can do it, so can you!”