Museum partnership unlocks new research opportunities

New research collaboration opportunities are available to Early Career Researchers (ECRs) and prospective PhD students thanks to developments in the partnership between the University of Reading and the Natural History Museum.

Inspired by the planned move of 28 million specimens from the Museum’s collections to a new science and digitisation centre at the Thames Valley Science Park (TVSP), the partnership provides a framework for joint initiatives which align with the specialisms and aims of both institutions.

The two institutions are now encouraging ECRs to apply for independent research fellowships in 2024 and are offering PhD studentships in varying disciplines.

Researchers considering an application for a postdoctoral fellowship grant are invited to attend a collaborative research fellowship information day on Thursday 7 March at the University of Reading. The event will provide further information about fellowship applications and project design, as well as an opportunity to network with other researchers from both institutions.

Applicants interested in attending the event should complete the short application form by Sunday 18 February, registering their interest and outlining their proposed area of research. Projects which build meaningful collaborations between the two organisations and have strong potential in sustainability and environmental sciences are encouraged.

Professor Tom Oliver, Research Dean for Environment at the University of Reading, said: “With new fellowship opportunities, we can welcome ECRs to join us in exploring new possibilities in sustainability and environmental sciences. It is fantastic to see collaboration develop between our two institutions.”

As well as the fellowship opportunities, PhD studentships are also open for applications.

Open to students interested in biological, environmental and physical sciences, ecology, computer science, mathematics or physics, one studentship will be funded by the University of Reading to support innovative and collaborative research in one of the four proposed project areas:

• Deciphering the Cambrian explosion of echinoderms
• Nature-based interventions for human and planetary health: what works, for who, under what conditions?
• Pre-industrial phenological baselines for UK birds
• Friend or Foe: microbe-plant interactions in agriculture

Professor Ken Norris, Deputy Director of Science at the Natural History Museum, said: “From starfish to birds, microorganisms to trees, the successful PhD student will take an exciting step towards fostering joint goals to solve some of the most crucial issues facing nature.

“They will have the opportunity to contribute to groundbreaking collaborative research between two dynamic, research-intensive institutions.”

Find out more on the University of Reading and Natural History Museum strategic partnership website.