Published: 09 Jun 2026 941 views
Queen’s University Belfast is delighted to launch the recruitment process for 20 Early-Stage Researchers (ESRs) as part of its Foresighters Doctoral Training Programme. This offers an exceptional opportunity for future research leaders to access an innovative programme of doctoral training at one of the UK’s leading universities and engage in high impact, inter-disciplinary research with a wide range of non-academic partners.
FORESIGHTERS (Future ORiEnted Skills, Innovation for Governance for Health, Technology, EneRgy, citieS and creativity) offers unique opportunities to build a future research career that tackles complex societal problems. While researchers will be based in academic units across the university, from engineering, humanities, social science and the arts, they will be working within one of 5 interdisciplinary research themes (Health, Technology, Energy, Future Cities, and Creativity). The cohort of researchers will be bound by a common perspective and training in Futures Thinking and Futures Literacy and will develop the skills and capabilities to understand, imagine, and critically use different ideas about the future to better understand key challenges. In addition to advanced training offered by the Thomas Moran Graduate School, FORESIGHTERS ESRs will be trained in skills for anticipating change and using multiple possible futures to stimulate reflection, creativity, resilience and focus for contemporary action. The training programme also has a strong emphasis on the development of sustainable, diverse, and equitable research environments.
Successul candidates will be offered a 42 month full-time employment contract with standard staff benefits.
ESRs will be entitled to a monthly Living Allowance to the equivalent of €3655. Eligible ESRs will also be entitled to a monthly Family Allowance of €660. The salary will be paid in GBP, subject to exchange rate variation, and after deductions of compulsory National Insurance (social security) contribution and direct taxes, as well as any voluntary deductions (for example a pension contribution which ESRs can choose not to pay). The 20 positions are therefore initially offered at the following salary rate:
ESRs will have access to a high-quality work environment, including a personal computer, scientific equipment and access to library and shared research facilities.
The generous contribution of the Northern Ireland Department for the Economy also provides seperate full coverage of tuition fees.
FORESIGHTERS will also provide an individual budget to fund for research and travel expenses (including conference attendance).
Appointed candidates will be supported by endorsement and guidance to apply for a Global Talent Visa fees (with the potential to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain) - the fee for this will be reimbursed by QUB upon commencement of the employment contract.
Guidance about the range of qualifications most frequently accepted by the University from the country you studied in is available from this page. Simply click on the country you want to check, click on the "Applying" tab, then the "Postgraduate" tab, and the information should be there.
Interested and qualified? Go to Queen’s University Belfast on www.qub.ac.uk to apply
For more information, kindly visit FORESIGHTERS Doctoral Programme webpage.
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