Cardiff University | UKRI Global Talent Fund Initiative
Role Overview & Opportunity
Cardiff University is seeking to appoint a Global Talent Fellow in Advanced Semiconductors and Quantum Technologies. The fellow will be offered a competitive salary, access to state-of-the-art cleanroom facilities, and a generous financial start-up package to establish their research programme. The position is open-ended, supported in the first instance for 3.5 years through Cardiff University’s £4.35 million award from the UKRI Global Talent Fund initiative.
About Cardiff University’s Research Ecosystem & State-of-the-Art Facilities
Cardiff University is home to one of Europe’s premier centres for compound semiconductor research, offering state-of-the-art facilities and a vibrant, industry-connected ecosystem that drives innovation from fundamental discovery to commercial deployment. Embedded within the University’s £300M Innovation Campus, the Institute for Compound Semiconductors (ICS) provides cutting-edge cleanrooms, advanced characterisation suites and close collaboration with major industry partners such as IQE, Microchip, KLA, and Vishay.
Cardiff’s specialist expertise spans advanced semiconductor materials, quantum technologies, high‑frequency device and optoelectronics, positioning the University at the forefront of technologies powering 5G, quantum systems, autonomous vehicles, and next‑generation communications. As the lead partner in multi-million-pound initiatives such as the EPSRC Compound Semiconductor Manufacturing Hub, and the Compound Semiconductor Manufacturing Centre for Doctoral Training, Cardiff offers an unparalleled environment for ambitious academics eager to shape the future of global innovation.
Your career development is central to our mission. At Cardiff, you will have access to tailored support, mentoring, and opportunities to work with partners across industry, government, and communities. Our collegial, collaborative culture values originality, encourages experimentation, and recognises the impact that research can have on society. This is a place where your ideas can flourish, and where your career can reach its full potential.
Candidate Requirements & Eligibility
- International Eligibility Requirement: Applicants must currently live and work outside the UK, and have done so for at least the past 24 months (a mandatory UKRI Global Talent Fund requirement).
- Qualifications & Reputation: Applicants should hold a PhD in a relevant subject area (e.g., Physics, Engineering, Materials Science, Nanoscience) or equivalent industrial experience, with an established national and emerging or international reputation.
- Research & Alignment: Applicants must be able to deliver a research programme that can secure additional external research funding and be aligned to the university nanofabrication space (ICS cleanroom).
- Leadership & Diversity: Demonstrated track record of publication as well as emerging, or international reputation in their research area. We strongly encourage applications from groups under-represented in STEMM.
What We Offer
- Financial Package & Start-Up: Competitive salary (Grade 8: £62,994 - £68,817 per annum) accompanied by a generous financial start-up package to establish your research programme.
- Relocation & Visa Support: Dedicated funding is provided to cover relocation and visa costs for successful international candidates and their families.
- Benefits: 37 days per annum annual leave plus bank holidays and access to the USS pension scheme.
Application Process & Key Contacts
Applicants must submit a CV, completed Research Programme Template, and Supporting Statement by email to: CardiffGlobalTalentFund@cardiff.ac.uk.
To access the Candidate Pack, Research Programme Template and for further details on eligibility requirements, please go to Cardiff University’s webpage: Global Talent Senior Research Fellow - Jobs - Cardiff University
Selection Timeline:
- Closing Date: Midnight GMT on 27th November 2026
- First Stage Interviews (Virtual): December 2026
- Final Interviews (In Person): Early 2027
Informal Enquiries
If you feel that you have the skills, enthusiasm and drive to meet this challenge, we would love to hear from you. Please contact Prof Anthony Bennett at BennettA19@cardiff.ac.uk for technical enquiries or Cardiff University Global Talent Fund CardiffGlobalTalentFund@cardiff.ac.uk for advice on eligibility and visas.
Equality Monitoring
Cardiff University is committed to ensuring that every applicant is treated fairly, irrespective of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation.
