Connecting Researchers Across Borders
Welcome from CRAC-Vitae as new custodian of EURAXESS UK
Welcome to the newly formatted EURAXESS UK newsletter in which we highlight opportunities and support for researchers looking to move to and work in the UK, alongside spotlighting opportunities for those in the UK who are looking for prospects abroad.
As the recently appointed lead on EURAXESS UK, Vitae are keen to focus on the researchers at the heart of world leading research and understand that in order to flourish it is essential that researchers work in a healthy research culture in which they are able to thrive. We are excited to bring our experience of career and professional development support and European Horizon Europe projects to EURAXESS UK.
This newsletter will highlight relevant policy developments, jobs both in the UK and abroad and funding and training opportunities. We are keen to meet the needs of researchers and develop the service and information that we offer so if you have any feedback or would like to see a focus on any topic in particular please do contact us.
News
Stay informed with the latest updates from EURAXESS and the UK research landscape
This section highlights policy updates, research initiatives, mobility programmes, or major events relevant to international researchers.
UK Industrial Strategy
The UK Government’s new Modern Industrial Strategy (published June 2025) sets out a ten-year plan to drive sustainable growth through eight strategic sectors, including life sciences, AI, clean energy, and advanced manufacturing. While the document is framed around economic growth, it has important implications for international researchers considering work or collaboration in the UK.
The strategy confirms the UK’s continued commitment to investment in research and innovation, with a focus on expanding national research infrastructure, supporting emerging technologies, and strengthening partnerships with global institutions. For researchers based outside the UK, this signals potential for:
- Increased funding opportunities in high-priority sectors
- Enhanced mobility routes, including support for the Global Talent visa and other schemes that enable international collaboration
- Participation in UK–EU and UK–global projects, particularly through Horizon Europe and strategic partnerships beyond Europe
- Opportunities to engage with innovation clusters and regional accelerators that are expected to grow under the strategy
Although the strategy is high-level, it provides a roadmap for where UK research investment is likely to be concentrated, which may shape funding calls, institutional priorities and talent initiatives over the coming years.
Developments on Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) funding proposals
The Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) are a core part of Horizon Europe, providing funding for researcher mobility, skills development, and international collaboration. UK-based researchers and institutions continue to be eligible to participate through the UK’s association with Horizon Europe.
As part of planning for the 2026–2027 Work Programme, the European Commission has proposed introducing thematic priorities for MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships and Doctoral Networks. These themes would be aligned with broader EU strategic objectives and represent a shift from the current fully bottom-up model.
In response, the Marie Curie Alumni Association (MCAA) has published a joint statement co-signed by several European university networks and research bodies. The statement raises concerns about the introduction of directionality, arguing that it may reduce the programme’s flexibility, affect early-career researcher support, and limit academic freedom.
The proposal is currently under discussion, and stakeholder feedback is being collected.
For more information:
MCAA joint statement on proposed directionality in MSCA
MSCA programme details on the European Commission website
Researcher Development Framework (RDF) 2025
Vitae has published the final structure of the updated Researcher Development Framework (RDF) 2025, a widely used reference for supporting researcher development, training design, and career planning in the UK and beyond.
The revised RDF now includes four updated domains:
- Knowledge and intellectual abilities
- Research skills and conduct
- Engagement and impact
- Professional and career development
Each domain includes clear developmental stages (Initial, Independent, Established, Leading) and descriptors that reflect a broader range of research contexts, including cross-sector collaboration, inclusive research culture, and diverse career paths. The RDF underpins many institutional programmes and informs funder expectations, especially in relation to the Concordat to Support the Career Development of Researchers in the UK.
For international researchers coming to the UK, or UK-based researchers working globally, the RDF provides a common reference point for recognising and articulating transferable skills, aligning with institutional development programmes, and navigating professional expectations across borders. It can be especially useful for researchers seeking to understand how UK employers structure development, how to frame applications or CVs, and how to assess opportunities for growth throughout a research career.
The RDF 2025 is being implemented in two phases:
- Phase 1, now published, includes the updated structure and descriptors
- Phase 2, due in spring 2026, will introduce revised tools and practical guidance, including a new RDF Planner
- Read the RDF 2025 structure (PDF)
Jobs
Explore research job opportunities in the UK and beyond.
A variety of academic and research opportunities are available across the UK and Europe, including roles in teaching, postdoctoral research, and specialist fields. Areas of focus range from politics, education, and history to biochemistry, quantum physics, structural biology, and biomedical engineering, with additional positions in forensic medicine, biodiversity, and renewable energy.
United Kingdom
- Career Development Fellow in Sport and Exercise Sciences | EURAXESS
Durham University - Teaching Fellow in Politics and International Relations | EURAXESS
University of Southampton - Research Associate in Cardiac Biochemistry and Physiology | EURAXESS
Kings College London - Vice Chancellor’s Fellow in Structural Biology with an interest in Cryo-electron Microscopy | EURAXESS
Northumbria University - Postdoctoral Research Associate in Quantum Light and Matter, Physics Department | EURAXESS
Durham University - Research Fellow – Development of Therapeutics | EURAXESS
University of Southampton - Lecturer in Global Cultures Education | EURAXESS
Kings College London - Research Fellow in North African Medieval History | EURAXESS
University College London - Research Fellow: Long-term Effectiveness of Parenting Interventions for Youth Crime and Violence | EURAXESS
University of Greenwich - Research Computing System Administrator | EURAXESS
University of Surrey
Beyond
- Medical Specialist / Forensic Medicine | EURAXESS
Graz Medical University - Research Grant – Connected Manufacturing – Digital Transformation – Biomedical Engineering or related areas | EURAXESS
University of Minho - Post-Doctoral Research Position in the Opus Lap Project (Funded by the National Science Center) | EURAXESS
Adam Mickiewicz University - ATER-Archit., arts appliqués, plastiques, spectacle, musique … | EURAXESS
University of Strasbourg - ATER-Sciences et techniques des activités physiques et sportives | EURAXESS
University of Montpellier - Faculty Position in Bioengineering Measurement Technologies | EURAXESS
Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne, EPFL - PhD on Formal analysis and control of multi-agent cyber-physical systems | EURAXESS
Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e) - Doctorate: Biodiversity Promotion in the Agricultural Landscape | EURAXESS
University of Zurich - postdoc EU economic governance | EURAXESS
Erasmus University Rotterdam (EUR) - PhD Position in Formulating Strategies for Airborne Wind Energy Commercialisation | EURAXESS
Delft University of Technology (TU Delft)
Explore further job opportunities’ Find a Job | EURAXESS
Funding
Access key funding calls and fellowships.
Several funding opportunities are currently available for researchers across various disciplines. These include grants for early-career PhD graduates in the social sciences and humanities, collaboration travel grants in epidemiology between Sub-Saharan Africa and the UK, and funding to support UK-Saudi Arabia research partnerships. Additional opportunities include fellowships for careers in service-oriented research infrastructures and support for international research collaborations in science and medicine.
- NWO Talent Programme | Veni – Social Sciences and Humanities (SSH) (PhD graduates | the Netherlands) | EURAXESS
Dutch Research Council (NWO) - MATEAS02/2025 | EURAXESS
CIDMA - 2025 Meade Collaboration Travel Grants in Epidemiology (Sub-Saharan Africa to UK) | EURAXESS
Medical Research Foundation - Grants for UK-KSA research collaborations | EURAXESS
British Council - Fellowships for careers in service-providing research infrastructures: ARISE2 | EURAXESS
European Molecular Biology Laboratories
Explore further funding opportunities Funding opportunities | EURAXESS
Living in the UK: Spotlight on Accommodation
Get practical advice on relocating, working, and living in the UK.
Welcome to the first edition of our new quarterly series focusing on practical aspects of living in the UK. Each quarter, we will highlight a different area of everyday life to support international researchers and their families as they settle into work and study. Whether you’re relocating for a research role, fellowship, or postgraduate study, these updates aim to help you navigate key systems and services with confidence.
This quarter, we focus on accommodation, one of the most important and sometimes challenging parts of moving to the UK. To help you understand your options, we’ve updated the Accommodation section of the EURAXESS UK website with clear and current guidance on:
- Common types of housing in the UK, from studio flats to shared houses and family homes
- Where and how to search for accommodation, including university services, online platforms and letting agents
- Average rental costs across different parts of the UK, including options for individuals and families
- Your legal rights and responsibilities as a tenant, including deposit protection, tenancy agreements, and how rules differ across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
We also provide links to trusted advice services and outline what to watch out for when arranging housing from abroad.
Explore the updated pages:
Finding somewhere to live
Accommodation: Costs and legal rights
Training and Opportunities
European Research and Innovation R&I Days
European Research & Innovation (R&I) Days 2025 will take place on 16–17 September 2025 at The Square in Brussels. The sixth edition of this flagship event of the European Commission will bring together policymakers, researchers, business leaders and the wider innovation community to discuss how research and innovation drives Europe’s competitiveness, sustainability and industrial leadership, underpinning the EU’s top priorities.
Check the programme and register
European Research and Innovation Days – European Commission
EURAXESS Smart Talks Podcasts
EURAXESS Smart Talks podcast series covers a range of topics: Research Careers, Innovation and Entrepreneurship Episodes include Why do Researchers need to explore careers beyond academia and How can EURAXESS help young researchers in career development with expert opinion and practical tips.
The series: EURAXESS Smart Talks | EURAXESS
The latest episode of EURAXESS Smart Talks, explores the wealth of opportunities available to international researchers in Germany. Expert guests provide first-hand insights into research mobility, academic support systems, and practical strategies for thriving in Germany’s research ecosystem.
EURAXESS Germany: Possibilities for all
Study Visit – University of Sofia
2 – 4 September 2025
This summer school offers EURAXESS members working with refugee researchers an opportunity to work with displaced and at-risk researchers and collaborate to ensure better social and labour market integration. The programme is build on a mixed approach using presentations, discussion, group and individual work and networking activities.
More information: Summer School for Refugee, Displaced and At-risk Researchers and EURAXESS Staff Dealing with Them | EURAXESS
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