Non-stipendiary Research Fellowships

The candidate who heads the list will be designated the Charles and Katharine Darwin Research Fellow.

Eligibility

The Fellowships are open to candidates from any university. The Fellowships are intended for outstanding researchers of any age who are close to completing, or who have recently completed, their PhD degree, or an equivalently recognised qualification. No more than three years of research should have been undertaken since the candidate’s PhD was conferred by 1 October 2027. Any career breaks or part-time working will be taken into account.

Duties

Research Fellows are expected to pursue full-time research based in Cambridge.

Each Research Fellow will be a member of the Governing Body of Darwin College and will be subject to the Statutes and Ordinances of the College. The Statutes include the obligation to reside in or near Cambridge, for at least two-thirds of each University term, but the Governing Body will normally excuse absences made necessary by the nature of the research undertaken.

Tenure

Research Fellowships are tenable for three years, with effect from 1 October 2027, and may be renewable for one further year to a maximum of four years by application to the Fellowships Committee with a case for renewal, including a research proposal and an up-to-date cv. Any extension must be formally approved by Governing Body.

Allowances

Research Fellows are entitled under the College’s Ordinances to dine (including formal hall) free of charge at the normal College table whenever meals are served (up to a limit of seven meals in each week). Guests, not normally exceeding two in number on any one occasion, may be entertained at lunch or dinner, ten of them free of charge within any quarter (note termly guest nights with a special menu are subject to charge).

Research Fellows may claim an annual research allowance towards receipted research expenses of £300, increasing to £600 for the Charles and Katharine Darwin Research Fellow.

It may be possible to offer rented single-room accommodation for up to two years, subject to availability, for which a charge will be made.

Applications

Applications should be submitted at https://app.casc.cam.ac.uk/fas_live/darwinnsrf/ by 6 November 2026 and must include:

(a) a curriculum vitae;

(b) an account, in not more than 500 words, of the proposed research and the background to it;

(c) a summary, in not more than 500 words, of your PhD thesis, for a non-specialist audience;

(d) reasons for applying to Darwin College, stating specific ways in which you would contribute to College activities (not more than 500 words);

(e) an assurance that, where necessary, appropriate research arrangements (for example with a laboratory) have been made;

(f) a statement about how candidates propose to fund themselves during their tenure of the Research Fellowship; and

(g) the names and emails of two referees who will also need to submit a reference online by 13 November 2025.

Candidates may be called for interview at Darwin College on Thursday 7 January 2027.

Candidates who are not offered a Research Fellowship may be considered for appointment as Postdoctoral Research Associate at Darwin. Further details of such a College membership will be provided to eligible candidates after Research Fellowships have been awarded.

Membership in this category would also be effective from 1 October 2027.

We are committed to equality of opportunity for all Fellows and encourage applications from all sections of society

Enquiries to Janet Gibson, jg323@cam.ac.uk