I do not have a PhD. Am I still eligible to apply?
All China Fellows are appointed as postdoctoral researchers in the UK. Therefore, it is expected that either you have already obtained your PhD or you will pass your PhD viva no later than July 2009.
Your application will be automatically withdrawn if you do not fulfil this criteria. Our offer of the Fellowship is conditional upon and subject to proof of your PhD qualification.
I am a Chinese scientist currently in the UK. Am I eligible for this programme?
No. Applicants must be based in China during the application period. Chinese scientists currently being employed or studying outside China are not eligible.
Are there any English language requirements when applying for the fellowship?
Applicants must be competent in written and spoken English. This is also a legal requirement in order to obtain a UK Work Permit.
Applicants are required to display basic competence in English, including an ability to understand and use familiar everyday expressions and very basic phrases. Specifically, they must either have passed an appropriate English language test, or have taken a degree taught in English - see the UK Border Agency regulations for details.
Should I contact the host research group before the interview?
For any general queries about the programme, please contact the China Fellows Helpdesk. If you have specific questions about a research project, you can contact the host research group.
You should however note that if you are awarded a Fellowship, you may not necessarily be given the project you are most interested in. The interview panel will make the final decision on where to place you - they will take into consideration your preferences and range of scientific experience.
What happens at the end of my fellowship?
We aim to encourage interaction between cancer research groups in the UK and in China. It is therefore a condition of this programme, and of the work permit, that you return to China at the end of the Fellowship.
We hope that you will remain in contact with the research group and use this as a chance to establish links between UK cancer scientists and those with similar research interests in China.
How can I find a place to live when I first come to the UK?
Cancer Research UK provides support through a company that specialises in relocating scientific personnel. The company will arrange to meet you at the airport and help you to find long term accommodation.
If you are appointed, our Human Resources department will send further details of this service to you.
How much is my salary?
All successful applicants are appointed on a pay-scale for non-clinical Cancer Research UK postdoctoral scientists. The basic salary is set according to your qualifications and experience. The location of the host institution is not taken into account when setting your salary.
The entry level for a new PhD with no other postgraduate experience is £25,550 per annum. Fellows hosted by research groups located in central London receive a Location Allowance of £3,750 in addition to their basic salary.
Will the Location Allowance be subject to deductions for tax?
The London Location Allowance is considered as part of the salary and is therefore subject to tax and National Insurance.
What are the costs of accommodation in the UK?
There are many different types of accommodation in the UK (e.g. single room, shared flat, bedsit, house, etc.). The rental fees vary depending on the type and location (central or outside of a city).
In addition to the cost of rent each month, there may be other costs associated with renting a property. These may include water rates, electricity, gas, telephone and council tax. It is therefore important to find out if such costs are included in the rent. Once you have an idea of what type of accommodation you want, the relocation company will help you look for accommodation within your price range.
Are there additional specific requirements in order to work in the UK?
All applicants must satisfy the UK Border Agency's maintenance requirement, which ensures that the applicant, without access to state benefits in the UK, will be able to support themselves until they receive their first salary.
This requires the individual to hold funds of at least £800, plus two-thirds of this value for each dependant they intend to bring with them. For more information, see the UK Border Agency regulations.
Can my spouse come and live with me in the UK? What kind of visa will he/she be given? Can he/she work in the UK as well?
For a married fellow, your spouse can apply for a visa to join you in the UK. Unless your spouse has a UK job offer prior to arriving in the country, the visa will not include a work permit.
Cancer Research UK is not responsible for finding a job or study position for your spouse. However, if your spouse can find a job in the UK, their prospective employer should apply for a work permit for them.
What is the health service in the UK?
Health costs in the UK are covered by the National Health Service (NHS). Since you will be working and paying tax in the UK for the next three years, you will be able to register with a doctor, which is the access point to all healthcare provision.
For further information on the NHS and registering with a doctor, please go to the NHS website.
What will I be expected to do as a China Fellow on this programme?
The details of your role will depend on the nature of your research projects - you should discuss this with your host research group before you start your project. Typically, you will be expected to conduct your own research and also engage with other research activities within your host lab.
You will also be expected to contribute to the general running of the group. This may include making up reagents, supervising student project and other routine duties.
What other responsibilities will I have as a China Fellow?
Since you will be managed by your host research group, you will be encouraged to take part in most of the research activities within your lab, including presenting at lab meetings, within your institute or at conferences. Depending on where you are based, you may be asked to submit a report to monitor the progress of your research work.
Cancer Research UK will organise regular meetings for Fellows to meet up and you will therefore be expected to present your work to other China Fellows. You should also explore any opportunity to strengthen the interaction between cancer research in the UK and China.
Will I be able to travel back to China during these three years?
Yes. Cancer Research UK will contribute towards relocation costs at the beginning and at the end to return to China. In addition, we will pay for up to two additional return flights.
We encourage you to strengthen the scientific interaction with the cancer researchers in China during your visit home.
I am a clinician. Can I conduct clinical work in the UK during this 3 year period?
The China Fellows Programme is a scheme to support fellows that want to undertake a period of post-doctoral training in one of our research groups. In general, you will be expected to spend all your time in the laboratory or with the research group, and your salary will be on Cancer Research UK's non-clinical post-doctoral pay scales.
However, we would welcome clinically-qualified researchers who wish to spend three years as a post-doc and develop their research careers. Under some circumstances, it may be possible to carry out a limited amount of clinical work whilst in the UK. The process to arrange this is however not straightforward for non-UK licensed clinicians.
If you are interested in undertaking some clinical work, you must discuss this first with your post-doctoral advisor. It will take considerable time to register as an overseas clinician to perform clinical work in the UK, and successful registration will depend on a number of criteria including where you undertook your previous clinical training.
Note: Cancer Research UK may not necessarily be able to help you obtain clinical registration.
