Fellowship by Examination (JRF) 2026-2027

The College proposes to elect up to four Fellows by Examination (elsewhere known as Junior Research Fellows (JRFs) in 2027. The successful candidates will already have demonstrated outstanding promise in their research.

Each Fellowship is tenable for three years at a stipend currently starting at £44,570 per annum, subject to an annual cost of living award. This stipend is subject to deduction if a scholarship or similar funding from another source is held concurrently by the Fellow by Examination.

For all three years of appointment, the Fellow is entitled to: free lunches and dinners in College; a research allowance to cover reimbursement of expenses (of up to £2,500 per annum).

During the first two years of appointment, the Fellow is a member of the Governing Body of the College (a Charity Trustee). Fellows by Examination are expected to live in the Oxford area, and their research base must be in Oxford. Fellows by Examination can benefit from flexible working conditions.

Applications are encouraged from candidates from all countries and all universities. Applications are particularly welcome from women and from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic candidates, who are under-represented in academic posts in Oxford. Applications for this year’s competition will be considered in the following subjects (as listed in the drop-down subject menu within the online application form): Asian and Middle Eastern Studies, Biochemistry, Biological Sciences, Economics, History, Linguistics and Philology, Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Modern Languages, Neuroscience, Philosophy & Political Theory, Physics, Politics, and Psychology, Psychiatry and Cognitive Science.

These subjects will be ineligible in the following year.

Candidates should hold, or be close to completion of, a doctorate; successful candidates who have not formally submitted their doctoral thesis at the time of application will be expected to do so before taking up the post. All successful candidates will already have demonstrated out-standing promise in their research.

Those who formally submitted their doctoral thesis for viva voce examination before 1 July 2025 are not eligible unless they have since had a career break (e.g. a period of parental leave, family commitments, or illness) or there are other exceptional circumstances. No applicant who has been appointed to a permanent academic post in an institution of higher education at any time in their career will be eligible. Candidates who have made a previous application are not eligible.

The main duty of a Fellow by Examination (JRF) is to engage full-time in research and its dissemination. The successful candidate will be expected to propose, plan and manage a high-quality programme of original research; publicise the outcomes of that research through presentation of papers and publications; and contribute to the communal life of the College. The Fellow may, with the leave of the Governing Body, engage in teaching and, if teaching, would normally be expected to give priority to the College’s own teaching needs.

Skills and experience required: research experience at doctoral level in an academic subject. Candidates should be able to manage their own independent research and should have excellent communication skills.

Details of how to apply and further particulars can be downloaded by clicking the ‘Apply’ button above. The closing date is 12 noon (UK time) on Thursday, 15 October 2026 at 12pm (noon), and applications must be completed at or before that time. Incomplete applications will not be accepted.

Magdalen College is an equal opportunities employer. Further information can be obtained from the College web site, at www.magd.ox.ac.uk/equality 

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