1. About me: Steven Penfield, URF 2006-  I worked as a post-doc at York University studying seeds.  During this time I realised that temperature responses were really important in seeds, but that nobody had ever researched them before.  I identified the first known genes to be involved in temperature perception and responses in seeds.  Now run a world-leading research program in Biosciences, and have received over £3million in research funding. In 2011 I was awarded the triennial prize for best early career international seed scientist.  All this was made possible by my URF.

2. What is it like being a royal society URF?  Totally the best thing that can happen to you!  Time and freedom.  Access to high quality training.  Minimal oversight.  Meet the country’s best and most interesting scientists, plus those from other countries.  Become involved with Royal Society activities.  Some research income: for some disciplines all you will need, for others a springboard for grant proposals. Travel money.  Portable in the UK, and can be used as leverage for permanent appointments.

3. Who should be thinking about applying?  You will be committed to a career in academic science.  Your ambition should be to be a future leader in your chosen field, internationally.  You will already have some idea what direction your future research will lead.  You need to able to argue that this will be timely, important and interesting.  You need to identify the best place to do the work.

4. Planning an application  Start 3 years or so before you intend to apply.  Identify your research goals and align these with the type of research outputs that will allow you to stand out from the crowd.  2 years before. Build your professional networks, Attend national and international meetings. Meet the people in your field show your potential and commitment. Build your brand.  1 year before. With your publications and networks in hand, identify the project, maybe even make some preliminary investigations in your spare time.  Avoid teaching and wasting time on activities not aligned to your goals.

5. Your application  Should clearly be world-leading research.  Timely, applying new technology, or addressing particularly important questions, taking a field in a new direction.  As a test: you should be able to quickly and easily explain why the work is timely and important to people outside of the field.  Convince the panel the work is the foundation for a whole career, not a 5 year project.

6. When applying  Do get as much feedback on your proposal as you can. Write it far enough in advance!  Take advantage of the experience and knowledge of local RS fellows.  Get feedback from somebody outside of your field.  At the interview stage, do practise, and get your supervisor or DoR to arrange a mock interview for you. It will be gruelling so be prepared!  Even if you are not successful all this is perfect practise for job interviews.