Fellowships

The Eric and Wendy Schmidt AI in Science Postdoctoral Fellowship at Oxford is part of a new international initiative to drive innovative use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in STEM research (engineering, and the natural and mathematical sciences). Oxford will host c.55 postdoctoral fellows (totalling 110 years of research) over six years, and provide them with the tools to increase the scope and speed of their research through the application of AI and Machine Learning (ML). 

The Biology department is very keen to support applications to this scheme. The scheme opens for applications on 1 August, closing on 17 October. We are limited in the number of applications we are allowed to put forward, and therefore run an internal selection process. To apply, you need to identify both a department PI to support your application, and an AI mentor.

Biology runs an internal sift to select those who will be invited to apply. Applications are currently closed and are expected to open around August 2026. Please contact fellows@biology.ox.ac.uk for further information.

https://www.youtube.com/embed/ED6Bfpy5pjc?si=daaa9lPmdRW97yuB

MSCA postdoctoral fellowships are open to excellent researchers of any nationality. The Work Programme emphasises skills acquisition, two-way knowledge exchange and career development as key objectives of the fellowship. Applications are made jointly by the researcher and a PI supervisor within the biology department. To apply, you must meet certain eligibility criteria

• You must have a PhD and have a maximum of 8 years full-time equivalent experience in research measured from the date the doctoral degree was conferred (career breaks, and time spent outside of research will be taken into consideration)
• Applicants must comply with MSCA mobility rules; you must not have resided or carried out your main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the country of the Beneficiary for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately before the call deadline.

For full eligibility information, see the MSCA Guide for Applicants

The Biology department supports several applications to the MSCA PF programme every year. Before notifying us of your intention to submit an application, please make sure you have spoken with and got the support of a faculty member.

Please note, the department deadlines are often significantly earlier than the funders deadline so if you are considering applying, please contact fellows@biology.ox.ac.uk as early as possible.

There are various Fellowship schemes which bridge the gap between post-doctoral and Independent Research Fellowships, which are not a part of the mentorship programme. For example:

• BBSRC Fellowship
• Wellcome Trust Early Career Fellowships
• Royal Society Career Development Fellowships
• Royal Society Newton International Fellowships
• JSPS Fellowships
• Royal Commission of 1851 Fellowships
• Daphne Jackson Fellowships
• Royal Academy of Engineering Fellowships 
  

  – Please note there is an internal Oxford process for selecting applicants. If you wish to apply, you must email fellows@biology.ox.ac.uk by 14 May at the latest.

There are also several Junior Research Fellowships (JRF) advertised by Oxford colleges.

If you wish to pursue any of these, please directly contact academic staff in the Department of Biology who are active in a relevant area of science. If a fellowship that you would like to apply to is not listed, please contact fellows@biology.ox.ac.uk.

If you wish to apply for any of these opportunities, you must notify fellows@biology.ox.ac.uk at least 8 weeks prior to the funders deadline to check the arrangements for the scheme(s) you are interested in.

The Department of Biology has several trust funds which provide small research awards. Those open to researchers outside the department are listed below; queries can be sent to trustfunds@biology.ox.ac.uk.

Varley-Gradwell Travelling Fellowships in Insect Ecology

Applications are currently closed.

Fellowships of up to £2,500 in value are awarded for the support of fieldwork, travel, and other activity in the field of insect ecology.

Applications are judged on their practicality and potential to make a contribution to insect ecology. Preference is given to those in their early post-doctoral years, but strong applications from those at the post-graduate level have been successful in the past. The fellowship is not available for the support of undergraduate research. The fellowships are tenable for one year commencing on a date to be agreed and are not renewable.

Applications usually require:

1. A CV (maximum one page)
2. A research proposal including a budget (maximum two pages)
3. Two references; these should be emailed by the referee directly to trustfunds@biology.ox.ac.uk, and in the case of postgraduate students, one should be the supervisor

All applications to be emailed to trustfunds@biology.ox.ac.uk. All applications will be acknowledged.

Applicants should note that if large numbers of specimens will result from the work, the cost of follow up work should be shown in the budget and details given of how, and by whom, they would be identified. In this case, applicants must also show their willingness and ability to work with local scientists and institutions in order to obtain full official permission for the export of any specimens back to the UK, and later to share identified specimens with institutions within the host country, if requested.

Boise Fund

Applications are currently closed.

The Boise Fund was established by Charles Watson Boise to support research on the antiquity and evolutionary origin of modern Homo sapiens and other hominins, with particular emphasis on the continued exploration of appropriate sites in Africa, and on the early migration of Palaeolithic communities. It awards up to £3,000.

Applications usually require:

• A statement of aims, methods, and expected research output, which should specify how the proposal would satisfy the purposes of the gift from Mr Boise (maximum one page)
• An estimate of costs (maximum one page); costs for travel and subsistence should be those of economy fares and standard accommodation; laboratory charges, and any other special item, should be justified
• A CV (maximum one page)

Additionally:

• Applicants who are University post-holders should nominate a senior member of academic staff at Oxford who could provide by email a statement of support if requested by the Committee
• Applications from graduate students and postdoctoral researchers must include a letter of support from their advisor or Head of Department, as appropriate

The committee take account of the following criteria:

• the interdisciplinary nature of the work
• the extent to which the work involves pilot work for the establishment of larger, ongoing projects
• the likely impact of the project

The Department of Biology welcomes internationally established researchers who wish to relocate to University of Oxford through major external funding schemes. We will support your research applications to new or enhanced grant and fellowship programmes of the European Research Council and the Royal Society, including:

• ERC Advanced Grants (2025 Call) now offer up to €2 million additional funding for researchers based outside Europe, specifically to support relocation and integration costs. Increased ERC funding for top global researchers moving to Europe now confirmed – UKRO
• European 'Super Grant' Scheme (forthcoming) promises substantial backing to attract top-tier global researchers to Europe. Choose Europe for Science: ERC welcomes new budget for 'super grants' | ERC
• Royal Society Faraday Fellowships (International Route) specific funds available from the Faraday Fellowship fund to support mid-career researchers relocating to the UK. A further £10m will support researchers at other career stages. Royal Society announces £30m fund to attract global talent over next two years | Royal Society

This is the perfect time to join us as we move into the new state of the art The Life and Mind Building and prepare to launch five new research hubs covering the breadth of discovery led research which impacts biology.

Who should apply

Interest is welcomed from Mid-career researchers in all areas of biology, including those at interdisciplinary boundaries with other life sciences, physical or social sciences who may draw on the outstanding breadth of Oxford’s research environment.

Please consult the eligibility and assessment criteria for these programmes as they are intended for established researchers who have made internationally leading contributions to research.

The Department’s support is crucial to apply for any of these programmes. Please note this is not an offer of a job or a guarantee that you will be successful in gaining any of these fellowships to join the Department.

What to expect

Applications will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis through a fair and transparent process led by a diverse academic panel, in line with our department’s commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion.

The panel will evaluate expressions of interest based around

1. Eligibility and academic merit — with merit assessed broadly and inclusively to reflect diverse career paths and achievements.
2. Fit and feasibility of the proposed research within the strategic direction and facilities of the Department (see Sections).
3. Teaching track record and enthusiasm for contributing to undergraduate and graduate teaching in Biology at Oxford.

Decisions will not be made by a single individual, but through a collective and inclusive assessment that recognises excellence in its many forms.

How to apply

To express your interest, please write to fellows@biology.ox.ac.uk and include “International Talent” in the subject line. Please provide

1. A cover letter with the following details i) which scheme(s) you wish to apply to, ii)  a 500-word summary of the potential research proposal, iii) your potential contribution to undergraduate and postgraduate teaching level in Biology.
2. Your CV (no more than 10 pages). Please include all appointments, an annotated list of 10 major research contributions,  major funding, publications, and any other appropriate research information.

Selection criteria:

• Scientific excellence
• Potential readiness and competitiveness for schemes in programme
• Potential synergy or complementarity with Section and Department
• Availability of facilities for the proposed work

We aim to respond to all queries as soon as possible. Short listed researchers will be invited for an online meeting and will be assigned an academic contact.

The candidates will be expected to: 

• Confirm their intent to submit an application at least 6 weeks before the intended fellowship deadline
• Finalise all aspects of the application at least 3 weeks before the funder’s deadline or as advised by the research facilitation team
• Be available to address queries for internal approvals, such as budgeting and support needs, until the application is submitted.