Project and student selection process

For SWBio4 we will be moving away from a metrics-based assessment of projects as this has in the past disincentivised some supervisors from applying and was not suitable for comparing research culture, supervisor quality, and EDI between projects/teams. In doing so, we recognise that a cliff-edge cut-off for which projects are advertised would not be fair (as we will be assessing largely subjective parameters). Nevertheless, we are committed to rewarding and incentivising outstanding supervision and research culture.

Project selection

SWBio4 will introduce a new ‘traffic light’ model for project selection in which assessment panels will identify any projects that deliver outstanding science, supervision, and research culture (’Green light’ – direct advertising), while also flagging the expected very small number of projects that do not meet essential eligibility/delivery criteria (‘Red light’ – do not advertise). Decisions on ‘Green’ and ‘Red’ projects will need to be made unanimously within the relevant selection panel. All other projects will be ‘Amber light’ and placed in a random draw to determine which will be advanced for advertising for that annual cycle.

Traffic light Advertising Criteria
Green

Outstanding projects (Max. 50%*) – Advertised

*This includes ECA projects
  • Exceptional leading-edge science that is carefully and appropriately budgeted.
  • Consistent, outstanding delivery of PGR supervision across the supervisory team.
  • Clear evidence of outstanding research culture within the supervisory team.
Amber At least 50% of projects – Randomized selection for advertising
  • Default position for all projects unless meet ‘Green‘ or ‘Red‘ light criteria.
Red Ineligible projects – Not advertised
  • An ineligible supervisor(s) (e.g., length of tenure)
  • Clearly inappropriate budgeting and/or over-ambitious project design.
  • Not met the essential criteria – projects need to be within BBSRC remit, interdisciplinary and mathematically underpinned
  • Those where a positive research culture has not been demonstrated and/or the applying supervisory team has not fully engaged with the R4RI modules.

Overview of the project selection process

Supporting ECAs (Early Career Academics)

To integrate ECA supervisors in a fair and supportive way, we aim for all ECA-led projects to be advertised following eligibility check and panel assessment, with feedback provided to projects.  A bespoke project application form has been designed for ECAs.

Note: ECAs leading a project are not expected to be able to describe relevant examples of all elements of the R4RI modules in the project application form, but should instead consider how you plan to develop these during the SWBio studentship. You will, however, be expected to include aspects of the supervisory style and research culture associated with your more experienced co-supervisor(s).

ECA (Early Career Academic) definition: New Lecturers and Research Fellows with independent funding who are applying within 3 years of their first academic appointment at the point of project submission.

ECAs must have at least 4-years salaried position at the start of the studentship to qualify as a lead supervisor (institutional requirement).

Not eligible:

  • Postdoctoral Research Assistants / Associates / Fellows on grants held by others.
  • Supervisors who are currently supervising / previously supervised a PhD student as a main supervisor.

Supervisors will be given the opportunity to explain why they feel they should be considered as ECA even if not quite meeting the set criteria (e.g., a start date just outside of the 3-year cut-off; career break(s)/part-time etc.).

All ECA supervisors must confirm their ECA status with the SWBio Hub (swbio-dtp@bristol.ac.uk) before submitting a project application.

Projects then go through the same process as for all supervisors with advertising, and candidate recruitment/selection.

Nominations and interviews

The studentship selection process will take place in two stages: A candidate needs to be successful at both stages of the selection process to be considered for the award of a studentship. 

  • Supervisor nomination
  • DTP programme interview day

Supervisor nomination

The supervisory team will be able to nominate a first-choice and reserve candidate.  All first-choice supervisor-nominated candidates will be interviewed by the programme (subject to meeting the minimum academic criteria). This is intended to empower supervisors to see the potential in all candidates.  Reserve candidates may also be invited for interview at a DTP interview day, but this is subject to the number of first-choice nominations that are invited for interview/have accepted their interview invite.

DTP programme interview day

Candidates will need to attend a DTP interview day where a programme level panel interviews candidates.  The overring criterion here is candidate quality.

SWBio4 will also introduce a ‘Realising Researcher Potential’ scheme where candidates will be invited to provide declared circumstances statements to be used in context during the SWBio4 interview process. This is intended to further support diversity of student opportunity.

What we are looking for in a SWBio DTP student and further information about the selection process >>

Project holding pool

Supervisors who are unsuccessful in the project draw or whose nominated students are not successful at the DTP programme interview day, can resubmit the same project the following year. They will need to demonstrate that the supervisory team still supports involvement with the project and will have the opportunity to make changes/updates that have the potential to move the project from ‘Amber’ to ‘Green’ for the following round.