Ray Lankester Investigatorship

Aims and Scope

The Ray Lankester Investigatorship enables established researchers (>10 years post PhD) to undertake research at the Marine Biological Association.

The Investigatorship provides the opportunity to collaborate with world-leading expert marine scientists based at the Marine Biological Association, as well as accessing our research facilities (e.g. research aquarium), resources (e.g. long-term marine biodiversity datasets) and diverse range of local ecosystems (e.g. kelp forests).

The Marine Biological Association is committed to promoting and improving equality, diversity and inclusion in the marine biology community. We welcome applications from all individuals.

Background

Sir Edwin Ray Lankester FRS (1847-1929) was an eminent zoologist and evolutionary biologist. He played an essential role in the foundation of the Marine Biological Association. The Ray Lankester Investigatorship was set up by George Parker Bidder, a former President of the Marine Biological Association, in honour of Lankester.

Duration and Start of Award

On appointment, the Investigator would be expected to work at the Marine Biological Association for a period of one to five months within a period of 2 years after appointment. This period could be taken in any combination of visits, with a minimum stay of one month. The award must start in 2026.

Finance

Applications for up to £7,500. Funds can cover research expenses (e.g. laboratory consumables, sample analysis, ship time) and travel and subsistence for the applicant. This scheme does not cover applicant salary or indirect costs.

Eligibility

Applicants must be a member of the Marine Biological Association at the time of application. Established researcher with >10 years post PhD experience.

Application Timeline and Process

Application deadline is 1200 midday (BST) Wednesday 8th October 2025. Notifications of outcomes will be mid-November 2025.
Once you have submitted your application you will receive an automatic confirmation email. If you do not receive this shortly after submission please contact the Membership team.

Application Form

Please provide confirmation that you meet the eligibility criteria
(If there are any barriers to joining as a Member of the Marine Biological Association, please contact the Membership team for guidance)

Confirmation of Eligibility

Yes

Personal Details

Title

First name ^* (required)

Please provide your last name ^* (required)

Any post nominals

Please enter your email address ^* (required)

Phone

Address 1

Address 2

Address 3

City

Postcode

Country

Career Summary

Title of Current Position

Current Employer

Current Position Start Date

Current Position End Date

Summary of Current Research (max 200 words)

PhD Award Date

PhD Institution

Please list up to 10 of your most significant publications in peer-reviewed journals, presented in reversed chronological order. Include full details for each entry; author(s), title, journal name, volume, issue, page numbers, and year of publication. Select publications that are most relevant to this application and best support your case.

List of Key and / or Relevant Publications

Research Proposal

Full Title of Proposed Project (max 20 words)

Please provide an indicative time line, including start date, number and length of visits to the MBA and end date.

Time Scale

Please provide a scientific summary of your proposed project. This should concisely present your research proposal, including a brief overview of the background, the research context, and a clear summary of the project's aims and objectives (maximum 500 words).

Project Summary

Your project proposal should provide a comprehensive overview of the planned study and include the following elements:

(i) A clear outline of the research context, objectives, and anticipated outcomes.

(ii) A description of the methodology, including data collection and analysis techniques.

(iii) A timeline with key milestones.

(iv) An explanation of the significance, originality, and timeliness of the research (maximum 1,500 words).

Project Proposal (max 1,500 words)

Please provide a lay summary of your proposed project. This summary should be written in plain language that is easily understood by someone without a scientific background.

Explain what drew you to this area of research and what aspects of your proposed work you find exciting, important, or meaningful.

Additionally, briefly describe the potential impact of your research and how it could benefit society more broadly (maximum 200 words).

Project Lay Summary (max 200 words)

Project Financial Details. Include a budget overview. Applications for up to £7,500 for up to 2 years.

MBA Contact Information. Please provide a summary of any contact or collaboration with an MBA-based scientist involved in this application or previous

Data Management & Data Sharing

The Marine Biological Association advocates for open science and is dedicated to ensuring that research data are made publicly available in a responsible and well-managed way, with minimal restrictions. Ray Lankester Investigators are expected to deposit data outputs in appropriate, recognized, and publicly accessible repositories (e.g. DASSH). This enables others to verify findings and build upon the work, serving the broader public interest. To maximize the value of open data, it should be made intelligently open—that is, it must be discoverable, accessible, understandable, assessable, and reusable.

Outline of data management and data sharing plan:
Please outline your plan for data management and sharing. Include details on how data will be collected, stored, curated, and preserved, as well as how and when it will be shared. Specify the repositories or platforms you intend to use, and describe any measures to ensure data quality, accessibility, and compliance with ethical or legal requirements (maximum 200 words).

Outline of Data Management & Data Sharing Plan (max 200 words)