HomeEuropeGlobal Early-Career Short Research Fellowship: AI in Science & Open Hardware for Lab Automation in London

Global Early-Career Short Research Fellowship: AI in Science & Open Hardware for Lab Automation in London

Imperial College London | Spring 2026

Are you an early-career researcher from a Least Developed or Lower Middle-Income Country (LDC/LMIC) with a passion for advancing scientific research through AI and Open Hardware? If so, the Global Early-Career Short Research Fellowship at Imperial College London is the perfect opportunity to accelerate your research career and contribute to cutting-edge innovations in AI in Science and Open Hardware for Lab Automation.

Fellowship Overview:

  • Duration: 4–8 weeks in Spring 2026
  • Location: Imperial College London, UK
  • Eligibility: Researchers from LDCs and LMICs
  • Application Deadline: December 5, 2025 (23:59 GMT)
  • Funding: Includes subsistence grant, flight, visa payment, and medical/travel insurance

This fellowship invites ambitious early-career researchers to push boundaries in two high-impact fields:

  1. AI in Science: Using AI to automate discovery, accelerate data analysis, and uncover new insights in scientific practice.
  2. Open Hardware for Lab Automation: Developing open, accessible, scalable methods for automating experiments, including open-source lab instruments, self-driving labs, and low-throughput automation platforms.

What’s Included in the Fellowship?

  • Subsistence Grant: £950 per week (covers food, accommodation, and other necessary expenses)
  • Return Economy Class Flights
  • Standard Visitor Visa Costs
  • Travel/Medical Insurance Contribution
  • Research Supervision & Mentorship: You will be hosted by an academic at Imperial College London who will guide your research and provide lab access.

Who Can Apply?

  • Researchers within 8 years of PhD or 6 years of first academic appointment (excluding career breaks).
  • Must be a passport holder and permanent resident of an LDC or LMIC.
  • Must be based at an institution in an LDC or LMIC.
  • Should have a Letter of Support from an academic supervisor at Imperial College.
  • Applicants must not be current PhD students or hold dual British citizenship.

How to Apply:

  1. Find an Imperial Host: Identify a potential academic host at Imperial College London. The university directory and departmental websites can help you connect with potential hosts.
  2. Complete the Online Application: Submit by December 5, 2025.
  3. Supporting Documents:
    • 2-page academic CV
    • Host support letter (including bench-fee waiver and workspace/lab access)
    • Home institution support letter
    • Additional documents such as research proposal, if applicable

Why Apply?

This is a unique opportunity to work in one of the world’s top research institutions and contribute to innovations that could revolutionize scientific research practices. Fellows will not only gain valuable hands-on experience, but also return home with the tools, collaborations, and knowledge to transform research capacity in their home countries.

Important Dates:

  • Application Deadline: December 5, 2025
  • Fellowship Duration: 4–8 weeks (Spring 2026)

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