Postdoctoral By-Fellowships 2026 – applications now open

Churchill College intends to appoint up to 16 Postdoctoral By-Fellows from the community of postdoctoral researchers of the University of Cambridge and its associated research institutes. The appointments will be for up to three years from 1^st October 2026.

Profile

Postdoctoral By-Fellows contribute to a significant community of postdocs among the Churchill Fellowship. The College currently has 39 Postdoctoral By-Fellows to which we wish to further add and strengthen. Postdoctoral By-Fellows at Churchill College are full members of the Senior Common Room, possess generous dining rights, have access to sports and music facilities, and varied opportunities for participation in the academic and social life of the College.  Research expenses can be claimed up to £1000 p.a. The positions involve no formal teaching requirement, although it is expected that appointees will interact with postgraduate students through the College’s informal mentoring scheme as well as contribute to the College’s academic mission. Postdoctoral By-Fellows will be expected to participate in a regular seminar series within College and contribute presentations on at least an annual basis. Opportunities for undergraduate teaching may be available in some subjects and can be explored through discussion with relevant Directors of Study. No stipend or honorarium is payable, and no College accommodation is provided. Postdoctoral By-Fellows may not simultaneously be Fellows, By-Fellows, or hold a similar position at another college.

Positions are intended to be held for three years with a review of engagement after 18 months.

One of the By-Fellowships awarded in this round will be reserved for a candidate in a STEM discipline demonstrating a commitment to sustainability and intending to continue that mission in College. The Sustainability By-Fellow has access to a further £1000p.a. to support academic activity within this theme and is expected to coordinate with other Sustainability By-Fellows already in post.

Criteria

Applications are welcomed in any subject, especially in fields connected with sustainability, equality and diversity, and postcolonial studies, and we welcome applications from underrepresented groups in particular. Applicants must hold a salaried postdoctoral position or personal fellowship in the University or one of its associated research institutes, with tenure for at least two years from the date of application, that is until March 2028. Appointments will be made on the basis of academic distinction and potential contribution to the academic community at Churchill College. It is intended to make appointments to individuals who have completed their PhD. Applicants should have submitted their PhD by the PDBF application deadline.

Applications

To apply:

• Complete this online form: https://forms.office.com/e/9K3Fw9UFJ7
• Email a CV and letter, in which, in no more than 750 words (excluding references, footnotes and endnotes), applicants should describe their research and its importance, and the contribution they hope to make to the academic community of the College. The nature and tenure of their current position should be clearly stated.
• Applicants must also arrange for two academic referees to write directly to the College on their behalf.  It is the candidate’s responsibility to ensure that the referees submit their references by the closing date.

Applications and references must be received by the Fellowship Administrator at Churchill College, by midday on Friday 13 March 2026

[email protected]

Joint Application Scheme for Early Career Research Fellowships

Joint Application Scheme for Early Career Research Fellowships.

A number of Early Career Research Fellowships are offered each year by the participating colleges (currently Churchill College, Clare College, Fitzwilliam College, Murray Edwards College, Robinson College, & Trinity Hall). The Fellowships are normally tenable for three years and are open to graduates of any University who have recently completed their doctorate or are close to completion. These Fellowships are intended to be early (first or second) post-doctoral positions appropriate to the start of an academic career.

The administration of the Scheme is conducted by the Fellowship Administrator at Churchill College.

Find our current Early Career Research Fellows

Applications

Applications for tenures starting in October 2027 will open in the second week of October 2026.

Contact

Fellowship Administrator
Churchill College
Storey’s Way
Cambridge
CB3 0DS

Email: [email protected]