IDRM Transition Fellowship

Location: Department of Paediatrics, Institute of Developmental & Regenerative Medicine IDRM, Old Road Campus, Oxford

The Institute of Developmental and Regenerative Medicine (IDRM) is a flagship research institute at the University of Oxford and provides a dynamic, collaborative research environment. With 15-20 research groups and, at full capacity, around 240 research staff, IDRM investigates how understanding normal development can inform strategies to regenerate diseased or injured tissues. Research spans three major themes—cardiovascular science, neuroscience and immunology—addressing key organ systems targeted by non-communicable diseases.

About the role

The IDRM Transition Fellowship programme aims to support and develop outstanding postdoctoral researchers, enabling them to secure competitive external funding and to foster the next generation of leaders within IDRM’s three research themes (cardiovascular science, neuroscience or immunology). One Fellowship will be awarded in this recruitment round.

Preference will be given to candidates with a principal background in immunology whose research aligns with the Institute’s interdisciplinary and cross-thematic focus. Applications are welcome from both basic scientists and physician-scientists.

The successful Fellow will receive a £200,000 transitional award over two years. This funding may be used flexibly, for example to support a research assistant (where justified), consumables, and travel for conferences or collaborative placements. The Fellow will retain full budgetary control of the award. This transitional funding is in addition to the Fellow’s salary.

This position is offered full-time on a fixed-term contract for two years.

 About you

Applicants should already demonstrate postdoctoral experience, distinctive research achievements, a strong publication record, and a compelling five-year research vision. The successful candidate must actively pursue interdisciplinary collaborations and demonstrate emerging independence in a field or cross-cutting theme that adds strategic value to IDRM. The Fellowship is intended to build a cohort of externally funded, highly competitive researchers who will progress to Group Leader status through securing substantial external funding.

Within the first 18 months, the Fellow is expected to apply for follow-on external funding, aiming to secure a competitive 5-8-year fellowship or Career Development Award (CDA) from UKRI (BBSRC, MRC, EPSRC), BHF, Wellcome Trust, or an equivalent funder. The Fellow will be supported by their Group Leader and senior IDRM colleagues throughout the application process, with successful funding representing the next step toward full independence.

During the Fellowship, the awardee will be affiliated with an existing IDRM research group and listed accordingly on the Institute website to ensure mentoring and support. However, the Fellow will manage their own budget, recruit staff as appropriate, and lead their research programme and outputs, including academic publications.

Application Process

Applicants must apply online and submit a CV, publication list, and a supporting statement of career intentions. The supporting statement must address each selection criterion with examples of relevant skills and experience. Applicants must also provide a research plan outlining proposed work during the Fellowship and how this will translate into an external funding application within 18 months. The plan should clearly explain how the research will enhance cardiovascular, neurological or immunological programmes at IDRM, include a summary budget and justification, and must not exceed four pages (including reference list).

Only online applications received before 12.00 midday on Friday 24th April 2026 will be considered. First-stage interviews will be held Wednesday 3rd June 2026, and second-stage interviews will be held Wednesday 1st July 2026.

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