We are delighted to announce that the University has received funding to host early career researchers from strategic partner institutions in Brazil, Mexico and South Africa. Four Postdoctoral Fellows will join research teams in Bath to work on cutting-edge themes in statistical applied mathematics and sustainable chemical technologies.

The fellowships are funded by the UK Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) through the recently launched £118m Rutherford Fund, which aims to attract global talent and strengthen the UK's research base.

Managed by Universities UK International, Rutherford Fund Strategic Partner Grants support the development of strategic university partnerships by fostering stronger links between future research leaders and the UK research community.

While 85 UK institutions submitted bids in the call, Bath is one of only 17 successful grant recipients.

The Rutherford Fellows will be joining Bath from March 2018 for a period of up to one year. They will be hosted by two of our successful, internationally-recognised EPSRC-funded Centres for Doctoral Training (CDTs), Sustainable Chemical Technologies (CSCT) and Statistical Applied Mathematics (SAMBa), where they will be able to benefit from a vibrant researcher community, strong industry partnerships, and a highly-regarded professional development portfolio.

The academics leads for the grant are Professor Janet Scott, Professor of Sustainable Chemistry and CSCT Training Director and Professor Andreas Kyprianou, Professor of Probability Theory and Co-director of SAMBa.

Professor Scott said: "We are very excited to be able to host early-career researchers through the Rutherford Fund Strategic Partner Grants. Bath offers an exceptional environment for junior researchers at critical junctures in their careers. The Fellows will have unique opportunities to meet potential new collaborators, expand their scientific networks, and enhance the application and impact of their research outside of academia."

Pro-Vice-Chancellor (International and Doctoral) Professor Jeremy Bradshaw commented: "We are delighted to announce our success in securing Rutherford postdoctoral funding, which allows us to explore new research collaborations and researcher exchanges. Our Centres for Doctoral Training have been important hubs to bring our international partners together. The Fellows will not only build relationships between Bath and our overseas partners in Latin America and South Africa but will also build closer links among our partners themselves."

The Fellows will be joined by two further successfully funded postdoctoral researchers, who have been awarded Commonwealth Rutherford Fellowships.

Dr Emile Engel from South Africa, and currently working in Japan, will be working with Professor Scott on high-tech yet cheap and easily-manufactured materials to absorb specific molecules. This research will help reduce exposure of farmworkers to potentially hazardous agrochemicals.

Dr Abdusalami Covo from Nigeria will be hosted by Dr Asel Sartbaeva in the Department of Chemistry researching zeolites.