Join us

If you are looking for an undergraduate degree then take a look at our MBiol Biology course. This is our undergraduate degree with an integrated masters, giving you a broad fundamental knowledge, technical research skills, and the opportunity to specialise to your interests as you progress. Click through to our undergraduate information pages here: Undergraduate MBiol | Department of Biology. 

Are you interested in the idea of postgraduate study but unsure of what it might be like? Our UNIQ+ research internships are aimed at talented undergraduates from under-represented groups, who would find continuing into postgraduate study a challenge for reasons other than their academic ability. UNIQ+ aims to provide you with a real day-to-day experience of postgraduate research over the course of a 7 week programme, you will undertake a research project and work with our researchers, academic staff, and postgraduate students. Click through to the university pages to find out more UNIQ+ (UNIQ plus) | Graduate Access | University of Oxford. 

Are you looking for the next step after your undergraduate degree? We offer a range of postgraduate programmes designed to support the next generation of researchers, whether you are preparing for an academic career, transitioning from taught study, or seeking specialised training.

Our DPhil Biology offers advanced training in the latest research approaches alongside independent research in your chosen field, giving you the preparation and expertise required to continue in academia or other research-focused sectors.

Our MSc by Research offers the same advanced training alongside independent research as the DPhil provides but it gives you the opportunity to pursue a shorter postgraduate research project.

Finally we offer a specialised postgraduate diploma in wildlife conservation which may be of interest to you. 

If you are an undergraduate student from overseas and wish to spend a period of up to three terms (one academic year) in Oxford on a course related to the degree you are studying in your own country, you can apply to a college for a place as a registered Visiting Student.

If you are a postgraduate student enrolled at another university and wish to spend a period of up to three terms (one academic year) in Oxford, please contact your academic host who will liaise with the academic administration office to make the arrangements for your visit in advance. They will guide you through the appropriate procedures.

We greatly value the collaboration and exchange of ideas that visiting students bring to our academic community.

Our department is supported by a diverse and skilled Professional Services team, covering a wide range of functions — from IT and HR to communications, finance, technical support, and more.

Professional Services

Our professional services support the departments core academic purposes of teaching, learning and research. Our department relies on talented administrators, technical experts, and support staff. They ensure the University can meet the requirements of government, funding bodies and other external agencies and facilitate the attainment of the objectives set out in the University’s Strategic Plan. 

Check our vacancies and join a team that keeps research and teaching running smoothly.

Apprenticeships

University of Oxford Apprenticeships offer a fantastic opportunity for young people and existing members of staff to earn while they learn in a world-leading research and academic institution. The University is committed to providing exciting and life-changing apprenticeships across all of its departments, including Biology, where apprentices of all ages train alongside experienced staff. 

We offer a range of academic and research career pathways, from early-career posts to senior professorial appointments. Below is an overview of the key academic grades and roles within the department, reflecting the structure and expectations of academic progression at the University of Oxford.

Please see our vacancies page for jobs available to apply for now and our fellowships and funding page for potential opportunities via external funding and fellowships. 

Full Professorship

This is a senior academic grade at Oxford, equivalent to full professor in the USA. Professors are expected to take an academic leadership role within their department or faculty as well as more widely in the University and beyond. The majority of professorships (also known as “chairs”) are statutory, for example, they are permanent posts within the University’s staff structure.

Associate Professor

This is the main academic grade at Oxford, roughly equivalent to associate professor in the USA.

• APTF (Associate Professor, Tutorial Fellow) - These are associated with a college tutorial fellowship with teaching time split between duties for the University and College. 

• APNTF (Associate Professor, Non-Tutorial Fellow) - These associate professors receive 100% of their salary from the University and may have additional teaching or administrative duties in the department. 

• Titular Professorships - Particularly distinguished associate professors may be awarded the title of full professor, either in a regular exercise for the conferment of titles, or by a panel chaired by the Vice-Chancellor as cases arise on recruitment or in between exercises. The award of the title does not change the post or the duties of the holder; it is simply a means of recognising an associate professor’s academic distinction.

Researchers

We offer roles for researchers at all levels:

• Grade 6 Research Assistants
• Grade 7-8 Postdoctoral Researchers
• Grade 8-9 Independent Research Fellows
• Grade 9-10 Senior Research Leads
• RSIV: RSIV is a professorial-equivalent grade at other higher education institutions, and it typically indicates a significant research reputation and the ability to lead a substantial research team.

We welcome a wide range of academic visitors who collaborate with us across research and teaching. Our visitors contribute to the intellectual life of the department and often engage in joint projects, seminars, and workshops.

A visitor is an academic or researcher who is not a University employee, worker or consultant and generally comes from another academic institution, for a single specific visit to Oxford, typically lasting from at least one month to one year during which time they are based and work in the department and are permitted to use or access departmental and University facilities. 

If you are interested in visiting the department for an extended period, we recommend identifying and contacting a potential academic host within the department. Your host will be able to advise you on the formal application process and assist with the necessary arrangements.