MS Society Funded Research Daphne Jackson Fellowship

Applications are invited for a three year part-time Daphne Jackson Research Fellowship co-funded by the MS Society UK to be held at any UK university or research establishment. The fellowship is intended for researchers interested in MS research who want to return to their research careers. 

Fellowship applications will be welcomed for research projects that:

• increase understanding of the causes of MS
• find new effective treatments or prevention strategies
• improve care and services for people affected by MS  

The remaining funding will be secured by the Daphne Jackson Trust from an additional funder.

MS Society

The MS Society is the UK’s leading charity for people affected by MS. It is the largest charitable funder of MS research in the UK, transforming the understanding and treatment of the condition. For over 70 years the MS Society has been at the forefront of support, research, and campaigning to improve the lives of people with MS. Their free MS Help Hub offers emotional support and information to anyone affected by MS including benefits and legal advice. Across the UK their local groups bring people together to reduce isolation and offer support with events, exercise classes and support.

The MS Society welcome applications for research projects that will increase understanding of the cause and find new effective treatments or prevention strategies for MS. And projects improving care and services for people affected by MS too. 

They fund discovery and translational research, including their world-leading clinical trials program. They fund Octopus, the first ever multi-arm, multi-stage trial for progressive MS. Octopus aims to accelerate the development of re-purposed or novel treatments to slow or stop the accumulation of disability progression in MS. The MS Society want to work with everyone who shares their vision of a world free from MS.

For further information about MS Society UK please visit: https://www.mssociety.org.uk/research/researchers

Daphne Jackson Fellowships 

Daphne Jackson Fellowships are unique. They offer the opportunity to return to a career in research after a break of at least two years for family, caring or health reasons.

Our fellowships enable people to overcome the challenges of returning to a career as a researcher or research technical professional. They ensure that skills, talent, training and career promise are not lost.

We support people through our application process for a fellowship that combines a personalised programme of retraining and mentorship. Our fellows gain the confidence and skills they need to succeed and enable them to generate novel, high-quality research findings.

How to apply

Further details about the Daphne Jackson Trust, our fellowships, the eligibility criteria which include a minimum of a PhD and the application process are available on our website. For further information before submitting an application please contact the Daphne Jackson Trust on 01483 689166 or via email at djmft@surrey.ac.uk.

Please outline your area of research interest and include the name and contact details of a potential supervisor who is willing to support your application.

Email your submission to the Daphne Jackson Trust office at djmft@surrey.ac.uk stating clearly,

MS Society UK Research Fellowship Application.

Closing date for applications is Monday 19th October 2026

Following shortlisting by the Daphne Jackson Trust, MS Society UK will undertake an internal selection process to identify the preferred candidate. 

Contract Type: Fixed term 3 year contract

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