Midlands Innovation is proud to partner with the Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology (POST) to offer two exclusive fellowship opportunities in social sciences and biological health, with applications now open to eligible PhD students at participating MI partner institutions. The successful fellows will have the opportunity to learn about the role of the Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology (POST) which supports UK Parliament’s use of research evidence.
PhD students at one of four participating MI universities, including our university, have their chance to experience working in the Palace of Westminster. Successful fellows will have the opportunity to interact closely with people and activities in the two Houses of Parliament, including; Select Committees, MPs and Peers, their support services, ‘All-Party Parliamentary Group’ meetings and much more.
POST sources reliable and impartial scientific research evidence for the UK Parliament, covering both emerging and complex topics. The 13-week fellowship opportunity, which will take place from January 2027, is open to PhD students who are undertaking their PhD study in the social sciences or in life sciences, health sciences and medicine. The opportunities are for eligible PhD students from Loughborough University and the Universities of Birmingham, Leicester and Warwick.
The successful fellows will support UK Parliament’s use of research evidence. Most fellows assist POST in providing briefing material for parliamentarians on emerging science, technology and social science topics. This can include researching and producing briefings and reports, or assisting Select Committee inquiries.
The Fellowship
POST and selected Midlands Innovation partner institutions are offering two 13-week fellowship to students whose PhD study is in either the social sciences or life sciences, health sciences and medicine.
Successful applicants will start their fellowship in January 2027. The fellowship can be carried out full-time for 13 weeks or part-time over a longer period.
Applicants must have completed their first year by 30 January 2027.
Applicants must not have submitted their thesis for examination before the start of the Fellowship in January 2027 so that their University can pay the stipend while the applicant is still registered as a student. The exact start date in January 2027 can be agreed with the applicant, the applicant’s PhD Supervisor and POST once a place is offered.
The opportunity is funded by the successful fellow’s host university and successful candidates will receive:
- a one off stipend payment of £8,128.50
- or, for clinical academic PhD candidates only, funding will be provided to match a 13-week PhD stipend extension.
For all Fellows, travel, accommodation and accommodation and any caring costs incurred as part of the fellowship will also need to be paid from the payment above.
Application eligibility and deadline
Those interested in the fellowships can learn more about the scheme, including the full eligibility criteria, when the scheme launches via this link on 27th April.
The deadline to apply is 31st May 2026 (23:55).
For Loughborough University applicants, the Policy Unit is happy to support doctoral researchers in their applications (please contact policy@lboro.ac.uk)
MI POST Fellowships Webinar
PhD students studying in the social sciences or in life sciences, health sciences and medicine from participating MI universities (the Universities of Birmingham, Leicester, Loughborough and Warwick) who are interested in applying for the scheme are encouraged to register for an optional information webinar hosted by POST and Midlands Innovation on: 13th May between 15:00 – 16:00.
Register for the information webinar via the Midlands Innovation POST Fellowship Scheme page here.