Fellowships for Early Career Researchers / Career Development Fellowships 2026 in Humanities & Social Sciences: English, Music, Law

Merton College proposes to appoint three three-year, fixed-term Early Career Researchers from 1 October 2026 or as soon as possible thereafter in the fields of English, Music, and Law. The posts are available to early career researchers and are intended to provide opportunities for the successful applicants to establish a research profile and to help prepare postholders for academic careers. 

The Early Career Researchers are expected to undertake a high-quality programme of original research in one of the subjects specified above, to publicise outcomes and to engage in the academic life of the College. They may also undertake a limited amount of teaching.  

Candidates should hold a recently completed doctorate or be close to completion of a doctorate and will have submitted their thesis no later than 3 months before the start date of this post. Those who formally submitted their doctoral thesis for viva voce examination before 1 October 2024 are not eligible, unless they have since had a career break or if there are other exceptional circumstances.

Candidates must also have research expertise in their chosen field commensurate with the candidate’s career as demonstrated by a recently completed (or close to being completed) doctoral thesis, published or forthcoming books or articles in refereed journals (as relevant to the candidate’s field), or evidence of such future achievement. A coherent plan for the duration of the appointment of research expected to make a valuable contribution to the candidate’s field is required, as well as evidence of active participation in the successful dissemination of research findings.

The duties and skills required are described in more detail in the further particulars which also contain details of eligibility criteria, how to apply and allowances associated with the Fellowships. 

The deadline for candidates to submit any queries in relation to these Further Particulars is 9.00am on Friday 10^th October 2025. Any enquiries should be directed in the first instance to the HR team at jrfadmin@merton.ox.ac.uk.

The closing date for applications is 9.00 am on Friday 17^th October 2025.

Interviews are expected to be held on Thursday 29^th January 2026. 

Merton College is an equal opportunities employer.

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