Non-Stipendiary Research Fellowshipsin Humanities and Social Sciences 2026

Salary

Non-Stipendiary

Application deadline

SUNDAY 22 MARCH 2026. INTERVIEW DATE THURSDAY 21 MAY 2026 - No alternative interview date will be offered

The College proposes to elect up to twelve non-stipendiary Research and Junior Research Fellows in Humanities and Social Sciences, if candidates of sufficient merit present themselves, without limitation of subject, from 1 October 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. 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.  Applications are encouraged from candidates holding Research Council or charity fellowships. 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.  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.

All Fellowships carry Common Table rights (currently up to £59.50 a week for own meals in Hall), and other benefits. Applications are particularly welcome from women, black and minority ethnic candidates who are under-represented in academic posts in Oxford. Preference will be given to candidates who have not already held a Fellowship at the same level with another College.

Research and Junior Research Fellows are not ipso facto members of the Governing Body of the College, but they are eligible to sit on nearly all College committees and may be elected as representative members of the Governing Body. Research Fellows may be asked to act as a College Advisor to graduate students.

Tenure and Renewal Junior Research Fellows will be elected for three years in the first instance, and may apply for renewal/election as a Research Fellow for a further four years. Research Fellows will be elected for three years in the first instance, and may apply for renewal for a further final four years. Renewal, which is not automatic, is subject to approval by the Governing Body and is considered on the basis of satisfactory progress in research, evidence of adequate financial support for the further term, and, of course, good standing in the College

Funding The Fellowships are non-stipendiary. Candidates are asked to demonstrate their financial independence with evidence of their means of support. Where funds are applied for but not confirmed, any offer will be conditional on proof of funding being provided before the start of the Fellowship. All successful candidates will be asked to provide a copy of their contract with the University of Oxford before the Fellowship starts.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

UK Border Agency legislation on the Right to Work in the UKSuccessful 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.