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Academics recruited under the ¡°¡± initiative, launched on 1 October, will go through a five-year structured development programme leading to a permanent position as an associate professor.

Leeds¡¯ biggest ever recruitment drive is motivated by its desire to enhance interdisciplinary research and teaching. Recruits will be asked to tackle issues such as health, energy, food, water, culture, high-value engineering, and cities and sustainable societies.

John Fisher, deputy vice-chancellor of Leeds, said: ¡°We are looking for great minds to join us in tackling some of society¡¯s biggest challenges, to help us create a new generation of postgraduate researchers in major areas of interdisciplinary research.

¡°We are investing in people who have a strong research vision and a commitment to high-quality student education, and we will support them to build a clear, compelling plan for their academic development. This is an excellent opportunity to establish an academic career at a leading Russell Group university, and to play a key role in our ambitious plans for the future.¡±

Sir Alan Langlands, vice-chancellor of Leeds, said: ¡°Leeds is making an unparalleled investment in new academic staff who will be given the opportunity to build strong, independent research portfolios and deliver innovative, research-led teaching. This will have a positive impact on the profile of research and student education at Leeds.¡±

Several other universities have launched similar schemes to recruit early career researchers. Since 2012 the University of Birmingham has recruited three cohorts of ¡°Birmingham Fellows¡±: early career researchers given a five-year fellowship and a guaranteed permanent job at the end for those who prosper. Earlier this year the University of Liverpool launched a new fellowship scheme to allow early career researchers in its Faculty of Health and Life Sciences to focus on research.

paul.jump@tesglobal.com