Research Fellowship Competition 2027

Up to four Research Fellowships available

Fixed term four-year research award

Awards will be announced in January 2027 

St John’s College, in the University of Cambridge, invites applications for up to four Research Fellowship awards, tenable for up to four years from 1 October 2027. These prestigious awards offer a rare opportunity to devote yourself to independent research in a stimulating and supportive academic environment. We place great importance on the intellectual contribution our Research Fellows make to St John’s, and on creating the conditions to accelerate their progress towards outstanding academic careers. 

Eligibility 

Applications are accepted from graduates of any university within or outside the United Kingdom.

Our Research Fellowship awards are for early-career academics. Successful candidates will normally be either postdoctoral researchers who have recently submitted their PhD, or graduate students in the latter stages of research leading to a PhD.  Candidates should have either: 

• Submitted their PhD after 1 October 2025

                                    Or

• Be on track to have submitted their PhD by 1 October 2027

For details about the award, including the disciplines eligible for this competition, and how to apply please read the Research Fellowship Competition Pack

Your application must be submitted online via the above 'Apply' button by 2pm BST on 17 September 2026. Referees will have until 2pm BST on 22 September 2026 to complete your references. Without three references, your application will be considered incomplete and will not be included for shortlisting.

No interviews are held. Rigorous assessment of submitted written work, previous research achievements and research intentions are of primary importance. 

St John’s College actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.

Closes: 17 September 2026

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