Applications for 2024–2025 are now open to PhD students of UK universities researching a food science and technology topic. Applications close at 23:59 on 17th July 2024.
Fellowships will be funded for three months between September 2024 and April 2025.
Click here to apply via the POST website.
What does the fellowship entail?
The successful applicant will spend three months working within the Parliamentary Office of Science & Technology (POST) offices at Westminster on science-based projects. During the Fellowship, the successful applicant will assist POST in providing objective scientific briefing material for MPs and Peers, in the form of POST’s well-known POSTnotes, or work with a parliamentary committee in the Commons or Lords.
This is a tremendous opportunity to gain experience in science writing and direct insight into how Parliament functions.
Food science is a multi-disciplinary area and there are many diverse areas of close interest to public policy e.g., global food production, nanotechnology, GMO's and food labelling.
Company information
About the scheme
The Institute of Food Science and Technology (IFST), the professional body for food scientists, collaborates annually with the Parliamentary Office of Science & Technology (POST) in this initiative to aid scientific research in public policy areas. POST produces impartial, non-partisan, and peer-reviewed briefings, designed to make scientific research accessible to the UK Parliament.
The IFST POST fellowship gives PhD students of food science and technology the chance to spend three months working with POST and other Parliamentary stakeholders on a policy project.
While fellows typically help us to produce scientific briefings, this unique opportunity to view the epicentre of policymaking from the inside may also include a secondment to a select committee or to the House of Commons or House of Lords Libraries.
POST Fellows will have the opportunity to produce their own POSTnote from start to finish. This includes scoping the topic, conducting interviews with senior stakeholders from across academia, government, industry and the not-for-profit sector, drafting and editing.
By the end of their time at POST, our fellows will have learned how to write for policymakers with balance, impartiality and succinctness. They will also have developed a unique understanding of Westminster, forged important relationships with key stakeholders, and delved into a novel and exciting topic of research.
Funding
IFST will support the Fellow by providing funding of £7,999 to cover a 3-month extension to their PhD award, maintenance and accommodation.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Interviews are likely to take place remotely. While we hope fellows will be able to join us at Parliament during their time at POST, remote or hybrid working arrangements are also possible.
For more information on POST fellowships, please see POST's frequently asked questions page.
Skills and qualifications
Who is eligible to apply?
Applicants should be in the second or third year of their PhD studies, undertaking research studies related to Food Science and Technology at a UK university. Students who are writing up their theses but have not yet graduated are eligible to apply. You do not have to be a member of the IFST to apply, although the IFST encourages students to join to benefit from its networks.
How to apply
Completed applications should be sent to Natasha Mutebi POST at postfellowships@parliament.uk by 23:59 on 17th July 2024.
Applications should include:
- A completed application form.
- An approval form, which has been completed by your PhD Supervisor and Head of Department.
- A two-page briefing on a topic that you think would be of current interest to Parliamentarians. The briefing should be completed using the briefing template and should not contain your name or any other identifying details. We want you to use the briefing template and ensure your work is not identifiable in order to make the process as fair and unbiased as possible. Please see the application pack for the two-page briefing assessment and some tips for writing it.
Click here to access the documents and apply via the POST website.
Assessment of applications is a two-stage process: applications will undergo an initial sift based on application form answers and a two-page briefing. Applicants successful at this stage will be invited to a remote interview. The application process will be completed at both stages by POST and IFST. Please note, only one application can be submitted by each applicant.
The deadline for applications is 23:59, 17th July 2024. Interviews will be held on week commencing 5th August 2024. Fellowships will be arranged subject to the availability at POST and the availability of the candidate between September 2024 and April 2025.
If you have a question that is not answered in the application pack or our frequently asked questions page, please contact Natasha Mutebi, Biological Sciences and Health Adviser at POST (postfellowships@parliament.uk).