Fixed-Term (5-Year) Early Career OxCHEDS Research Fellow (Oxford Centre for High Energy Density Science)

Location: Clarendon Laboratory Building, Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3PU 

As an Early Career OxCHEDS Research Fellow, the post holder will head and lead a significant independent research group, under the auspices of OxCHEDS, undertaking research into the response of solid-state matter to dynamic compression on nanosecond timescales. The academic standing of the Fellow, as an independent group leader, will be on a par with the other academics in the Department who receive funding under the auspices of OxCHEDS. The post holder will manage their own research group and have responsibility for the development of its strategic direction. The Fellow needs to be a recognised authority in dynamic-compression science and high energy density physics. They will be expected to be capable of developing their own programme of independent externally funded research projects from UK Research Councils and other funding bodies. It is expected that under the current OxCHEDS programme, a fully-funded DPhil place will be allocated to the Fellow for a graduate studentship to commence in October 2026.

About the Role

The postholder will be responsible for overseeing long term research programmes into the physics of matter under dynamic compression. The expectation is that the Research Fellow will initiate and implement often interdisciplinary research programmes. They will also manage the substantial research resources and budgets associated with their independent research program as it evolves and generate research income from UK Research Councils and beyond, and actively promote the research area. The postholder will be expected to act as an authority in the specialist area to external industry, universities and research councils and chair committees and/or working groups within the department.

About You 

The postholder must hold a PhD/DPhil with significant post qualification research experience. They must also be a recognised international authority in the experimental and theoretical study of matter under dynamic compression, and its interrogation and diagnosis by ultra-short x-ray sources such as Free-Electron-lasers. They will also provide evidence of an established international publication record and possess sufficient experience to lead research programmes and develop independent new avenues of research and have excellent interpersonal, written, presentation and communication skills.

Application Process

For further details about the role, please see the job description. You will be required to upload a CV, supporting statement, and the details of two referees as part of your online application.

The closing date for applications is 12 noon on Friday 27 March 2026. Interviews are expected to be held early June 2026.

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