CBR-UK DRI Postdoctoral Fellowship 2025 | Dementia Research Opportunities for Indian Scientists

Introduction to the Fellowship Program

The Centre for Brain Research (CBR) at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) and the UK Dementia Research Institute (UK DRI) have joined forces to launch a prestigious Postdoctoral Fellowship Scheme. This collaboration establishes a powerful global research ecosystem dedicated to accelerating breakthroughs in healthy brain ageing, dementia diagnosis, and neurodegenerative research.

As CBR marks its second decade, the fellowship provides early-career scientists with the opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge research while gaining world-class mentorship from experts across India and the UK. The initiative aims to train future leaders in neuroscience, strengthen international collaborations, and transform dementia care for millions.

Fellowship Focus and Scientific Scope

The CBR-UK DRI Fellowships are designed to encourage interdisciplinary proposals that align with the partnership’s strategic priorities. Research projects should focus on developing and applying innovative tools, especially in the following areas:

Biomarker Discovery and Validation – advancing blood-based and minimally invasive diagnostic approaches.
Digital Health & Cognitive Monitoring – creating scalable technologies for early detection and tracking of dementia progression.
Artificial Intelligence and Health Data Science – leveraging machine learning and big data to improve diagnosis and treatment strategies.

Proposals must aim to enhance the understanding of disease mechanisms, identify risk factors, and explore solutions that improve diagnosis and quality of life for individuals living with dementia.

Fellows will conduct research full-time for up to four years, with opportunities to spend up to three months annually at a UK DRI Centre, ensuring exposure to world-leading expertise.

Eligibility Criteria for Applicants

To apply for the fellowship, candidates must meet the following requirements:

Hold a PhD from a recognized university.
Possess no more than six years of postdoctoral research experience (exceptions apply for career breaks or part-time roles).
Be eligible for a UK work visa for up to 12 months within the four-year fellowship period. The Global Talent Visa fast-track route may be available.
Applicants of all ages and nationalities are welcome.
Researchers with a permanent contract at CBR are not eligible.

This fellowship is an excellent opportunity for ambitious early-career researchers to establish themselves as independent scientists while benefiting from robust international collaboration.

Supervisory Structure and Mentorship

Each fellow will be guided by a lead Supervisor at CBR and a Co-Supervisor at a UK DRI Centre. The supervisory team is responsible for overseeing the research program, providing access to essential facilities, and contributing to the fellow’s professional training.

Potential supervisors include:

At CBR: Dr. Jonas S Sundarakumar, Prof. Thomas Gregor Issac, Prof. Bratati Kahali, among others.
At UK DRI: Prof. Henrik Zetterberg, Prof. Valentina Escott-Price, Prof. Jonathan Schott, Prof. Suvankar Pal, and others.

Additionally, successful applicants will be paired with an independent Mentor who offers guidance and career advice without direct involvement in the research project.

Research Proposal Requirements

Applicants must submit a distinct research proposal that is independent of their PhD supervisor’s ongoing projects, although complementary scientific directions are encouraged. Proposals should:

Focus on biomarker development, digital health innovations, or AI-driven data science applications.
Advance the global understanding of disease mechanisms and dementia progression.
Include measurable outcomes that can significantly improve dementia research and patient care.

Progress will be assessed annually, with a formal mid-term review and interview at the end of the second year to evaluate continuation into years three and four.

Training and Professional Development

Fellows will receive a comprehensive training package to strengthen both technical and transferable skills. Key offerings include:

Leadership and laboratory management training.
Applied statistics and data-driven biomedical research workshops.
Science communication and research impact programs.

Through CBR, UK DRI, and partner organizations, fellows will also participate in “future leader” workshops designed to build the next generation of global neuroscience innovators.

Fellowship Funding and Benefits

The CBR-UK DRI Fellowship offers competitive financial support:

Salary of ₹1,50,000 per month at CBR.
Salary of ₹3,50,000 per month at a UK DRI Centre.
Funding for research consumables, conference participation, and travel expenses between India and the UK.

This ensures that fellows have the resources to focus entirely on their groundbreaking research.

Application Process

Interested candidates must prepare a single PDF application including:

A detailed CV with academic background, qualifications, and research interests.
Title and summary of their PhD work.
A research proposal (maximum of three A4 pages).
Names and contact details of at least three professional references.

Applications should be submitted via email to cbr-ukdri-pdf[at]cbr-iisc.ac.in with the subject line: “Application for CBR-UK DRI Postdoctoral Fellowship”.

For informal enquiries, candidates may contact Prof. KVS Hari at director[at]cbr-iisc.ac.in. Shortlisted applicants will be invited for further discussions, and final selection will be made by an Expert Committee formed by CBR and UK DRI.

Conclusion

The CBR-UK DRI Postdoctoral Fellowship is a landmark initiative that empowers young Indian scientists to shape the future of dementia research. By integrating biomarker discovery, AI-driven data science, and digital health solutions, fellows will drive innovations that can transform lives across the globe.

This fellowship not only provides world-class training and international exposure but also nurtures leadership in neuroscience—ensuring that the next generation of researchers is well-prepared to tackle one of the greatest health challenges of our time.