Non-Stipendiary Research Fellowships in Sciences 2026
Salary
Non-Stipendiary
Application deadline
26 October 2025
The College proposes to elect up to twelve non-stipendiary Research and Junior Research Fellows in Sciences (Medical Sciences Division and MPLS), if candidates of sufficient merit present themselves, without limitation of subject, from 1 January 2026. Candidates must hold a doctorate. Candidates who have received a doctorate over five years and (other than in exceptional situations) under ten years before that date will be eligible for a Research Fellowship; most candidates, who have received a doctorate less than five years before that date, will be eligible for a Junior Research Fellowship. Candidates will be required to be engaged in research, with a full-time University of Oxford contract of employment for the duration of the Fellowship or have full-time external funding for research with the formal contractual support of a University of Oxford Department or Faculty. For any candidates in clinical posts, a 50% contract with the University of Oxford alongside a 50% NHS contract will be welcomed. These positions are designed to support early career researchers. They are not for those on sabbaticals or already holding Professorships. Wolfson does operate a
Visiting Scholars Scheme. Applications will be welcomed from candidates with caring responsibilities or a disability, who choose to work less than full-time. Candidates will also be required to spend the greater part of the academic year in Oxford, and notify the College of any changes to their circumstances, at which point the Fellowship may be reviewed.
Junior Research Fellowships are intended for those with limited research experience, who have recently completed or are shortly about to complete a doctorate. These Fellowships are not suitable for those at an early stage of their doctoral studies. No more than five years should have elapsed since receipt of a doctorate, other than candidates whose postdoctoral academic career has been interrupted by, for example, childbirth, family commitments, illness or compulsory military service. (A statement giving reasons why an exception should be considered must be included with the application).
Research Fellowships are intended for those whose careers are progressing to a point where they are becoming established scholars in their field. No more than ten years should have elapsed since receipt of a doctorate, other than candidates whose postdoctoral academic career has been interrupted by, for example, childbirth, family commitments, illness or compulsory military service. (A statement giving reasons why an exception should be considered must be included with the application). Applications are encouraged from candidates holding Research Council or charity fellowships (including Royal Society University Research Fellowships, EPSRC Career Fellowships and Wellcome Trust/CRUK Career Development Fellowships). Research Fellowships are not suitable for those taking sabbatical leave from an academic post. Applications from candidates with fewer than three years of postdoctoral experience are discouraged since it is very unlikely that they will have acquired sufficient experience and seniority, and it may be more appropriate for these candidates to apply for a Junior Research Fellowship.
ReferencesReferences will be requested after the shortlisting stage for interview candidates who should themselves contact their two referees, asking them
without further requestto send a confidential reference to the President’s Office before the interview date. References should be emailed (as a pdf) to the President’s Office on
presidents.office@wolfson.ox.ac.uk
Applications
Application should include:
A completed application form and a curriculum vitae (no more than two pages).
Please email your complete application to arrive by the closing date to
Please email your complete application to arrive by the closing date to
presidents.office@wolfson.ox.ac.ukPlease send as ONE pdf file (excluding the optional Recruitment Monitoring form which should be sent separately to recruitment@wolfson.ox.ac.uk, as it does not constitute part of the application.)
OPTIONAL –if you wish to complete and return the optional Recruitment Monitoring Form, please send as a separate pdf. It does not form part of the application.
OPTIONAL –
CLOSING DATE: SUNDAY 26 OCTOBER 2025
INTERVIEW DATE THURSDAY 20 NOVEMBER 2025
No alternative interview date will be offered
INTERVIEW DATE THURSDAY 20 NOVEMBER 2025
Successful candidates will be required to provide satisfactory evidence of their Right to Work in the UK. This is a requirement for ‘unpaid’ positions as well as paid employment.
UK Border Agency legislation on the Right to Work in the UK
UK Border Agency legislation on the Right to Work in the UK