Fellowships
About the Department
The Department of Chemistry is part of the University of Oxford’s Mathematical, Physical and Life Sciences (MPLS) Division. The Department has held a Silver Athena SWAN award since November 2015.
We offer an excellent environment for talented and committed researchers to develop from the postdoctoral stage of their careers towards becoming established as Chemistry research leaders of the future.
We welcome applications from outstanding individuals who are looking to develop their independent research identity.
Why apply to hold a Fellowship at Oxford?
We offer an excellent research environment, access to world class facilities, training programmes, and mentorship. If your application is supported by the Department and has secured funding, we will provide you with office and laboratory space for your group, and access to our specialist facilities.
Early Career Fellowships provide complete independence but without the usual teaching or administrative demands. This gives researchers the time and ability to develop their independent research, apply for additional funding, network, travel to conferences, and build an international reputation.
We encourage and facilitate collaboration, both within the Department and the wider University, and with other universities, research institutes, and industrial partners. Many of our Early Career Fellows secure permanent positions at Oxford or other institutions - in many cases at some of the most prestigious departments and research institutions in the UK and worldwide. Our Fellows have a strong record of obtaining highly competitive funding such as ERC or UKRI grants.
Training and support
The Department and the MPLS Division offer a programme of training and development courses for Early Career and postodctoral researchers designed to support you in carrying out your research and progressing your career. All new researchers are offered a mentor from a different research group as a personal point of contact.
The Department has a dedicated Early Career Research Facilitator who will:
- Assist with applications, and understanding of funder requirements
- Help you obtain letters of support
- Liaise with the University's Research Services team on your behalf
- If you are invited to interview, arrange mock interviews and internal review of your application
A member of our finance team will be able to assist you with costing of proposals.
For more information please contact the Research Facilitation team.
Applying for Early Career and Postdoctoral Fellowships
For those wishing to work with a supervisor to develop their own independent project
Some postdoctoral fellowships are subject to an internal selection process before application. Please contact the academic supervisor you are interested in working with and the Research Facilitation team to discuss your application.
If you are unsure of who to approach, you can start by contacting the relevant Research Theme lead or the Research Facilitation team.
For those wishing to develop their own independent research group
Departmental support is required before application via the Expression of Interest (EoI) process - see guidelines here.
Candidates are strongly encouraged to discuss their research ideas with a member (or members) of academic staff in the Department, especially those with whom they might seek to collaborate, and the Head of the most relevant Section.
Researchers are also encouraged to contact the Research Facilitation team at an early stage to discuss the application process, or if you have questions as to whether you need to submit an EoI.
Application process
If you would like to apply for an independent research fellowship hosted in our department, please submit the following documents to the Head of Department’s Office:
- Complete EoI form
- Research proposal (2 pages maximum - anything beyond 2 pages will not be reviewed)
- CV
- Ensure brief supporting statements from two referees are submitted directly to the Head of Department's Office
EoI deadlines
EoIs are reviewed on the following dates:
- 20 Sep 2022
- 17 Jan 2023
- 23 May 2023
Fellowships and schemes
| Scheme | Duration | Eligibility | Funder Deadline | Suggested EoI Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Future Leaders Fellowship | 4 years with possible extension to 7 years | See person specification | Feb | A separate EoI process will be announced when the call is opened |
| Scheme | Duration | Eligibility | Funder Deadline | Suggested EoI Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Postdoctoral Fellowships | 3 years | See person specification. Currently only available in Maths and Energy |
April September January |
Not required |
| Open Fellowships | 5 years | See guidance | Apply at any time |
January May August |
| Scheme | Duration | Eligibility | Funder Deadline | Suggested EoI Deadline |
| Independent Research Fellowships | 5 years | October | May |
| Scheme | Duration | Eligibility | Deadline | Suggeted EoI Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Discovery Fellowships | 3 years | <5 years post PhD | May | Not required |
| David Philips Fellowships | 5 years | >3 years post PhD | May | January |
| Scheme | Duration | Eligibility | Funder Deadline | Suggested EoI deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Career Development Award | 5 years | Postdoctoral researcher |
April September |
January May |
| Scheme | Duration | Eligibility | Deadline | Suggested EoI Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| *Early Career Fellowships | 3 years | <4 years post PhD | February | Not required |
* These fellowships only provide only 50% of the salary. You would need to discuss with your potential supervisor how to fund the remaining 50%.
| Scheme | Duration | Eligibility | Deadline | Suggested EoI Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University Research Fellowship | 5 years | 3-8 years post PhD | September | May |
| Dorothy Hodgkin Fellowship |
5 years |
<6 years post PhD Needs for flexible support |
November | May |
| Scheme | Duration | Eligibility | Deadline | Suggested EoI Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wellcome Early Career Awards | 5 years | <3 years post PhD |
February October |
January May |
| Wellcome Career Development Awards | 8 years | Mid Career Researcher |
March November |
January May |
| Scheme | Duration | Eligibility | Deadline | Suggested EoI Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| *Ramsay Memorial Fellowships | 2 years | November | Not required |
* These fellowships only provide only 50% of the salary. You would need to discuss with your potential supervisor how to fund the remaining 50%.
| Scheme | Duration | Eligibility | Deadline | Suggested EoI Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Daphne Jackson Fellowships | 2 years | After a career break of two or more years | No deadlines | 3-4 months before you plan to apply |
| Scheme | Duration | Eligibility | Deadline | Suggested EoI Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| European Research Council Starting Grant | 5 years | 2-7 years post PhD |
Expected Jan 2022 |
August |
| Marie Curie Postdoctoral Fellowship | October |
| Scheme | Duration | Eligibility | Deadline | Suggested EoI Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Research Fellowships | 3 years | <3 years post PhD | February | Not required but there is an internal selection process |
| Scheme | Duration | Eligibility | Deadline | Suggested EoI Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Newton International Fellowships | 2 years | June | Not required but there is an internal selection process | |
| Canon Foundation Research Fellowships |
February September |
No deadline | ||
| CRUK Career Development Fellowships |
January July |
August May |
| Scheme | Duration | Eligibility | Deadline | Suggested EoI Deadline |
| Junior Research Fellow | ||||
| Glasstone Fellowship | October | Not required |
| Funder | Scheme | Duration | Eligibility |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daphne Jackson | BHF-Daphne Jackson Fellowships | 2 years | After a career break of two or more years |
| British Heart Foundation | Career Re-entry Research Fellowship | 4 years | After a career break of two or more years |
