Research Fellowships

Launching the best young researchers on an academic career

The purpose of Junior Research Fellowships is to allow highly-talented women* to pursue their research single-mindedly in a supportive academic environment. Fellowships are normally awarded to women just finishing their PhDs, or those in their first post-doctoral appointment.

We normally elect two women to Junior Research Fellowships each year, one each in the Sciences (including Mathematics, Engineering and Psychology) and in the Humanities and Social Sciences. Research Fellows are appointed for a period of three years, although many leave sooner if they are successful in gaining faculty appointments in Cambridge or elsewhere. Both selection panels use the concept of "research age" in judging how long a candidate has been active in research, so that time out of research for professional or family reasons will not be a disadvantage.

The Humanities and Social Sciences Fellowship subjects are offered on a three-year rotation.

2012/13:  Economics, English, Education, Business and Management, Land Economy, Music, Law
Applications are now being accepted, with appointment wef 1 October 2013. The closing date for applications is Friday 2 November 2012.
For details of how to apply click here.

2013/14: History, Architecture, History of Art, Asian and Middle Eastern Studies, Divinity
(Applications will open in late summer 2013, with appointment wef 1 October 2014)

2014/15: Classics, Human, Social and Political Sciences (HSPS) (including Archaeology and Anthropology, Politics and International Studies, Social Sciences) Modern and Medieval Languages (including Theoretical and Applied Linguistics), Philosophy, Geography, History and Philosophy of Science
(Applications will open in late summer 2014, with appointment wef 1 October 2015)

Details of the various Faculties and Departments of Cambridge University can be found at: http://www.cam.ac.uk/deptdirectory/

  Newnham research students in the whole field of Humanities and Social Sciences may apply in any year, regardless of the rotational listing.

The Sciences Fellowship is offered in any field of Science, Mathematics, Engineering and Psychology.
Applications for the 2012/13 appointment are now being accepted, with appointment wef 1 October 2013. The closing date for applications is Friday 26 October 2012.
For details of how to apply click here.

During their tenure, JRFs have no duties other than to pursue their research, but they may if they wish participate in College teaching. They are members of the College Governing Body, and may serve on other College committees.

The Fellowships carry a competitive stipend, plus accommodation in a college set or flat. An additional allowance is payable if the holder chooses to live in non-College accommodation. Fellowships may also be awarded on a non-stipendiary basis to women who hold another post-doctoral appointment in the University or in a recognised University  Partner Institution (UPI).  Funds are available to support research costs, such as conference travel: all Research Fellows are also entitled to a one-off sum of up to £10k towards the cost of a research project, or towards running a Newnham-based research event (such as a conference or workshop).

For more information:

• Humanities JRF Application Information
  
• Sciences JRF Application Information
• Profiles of current Junior Research Fellows

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*Fellowships at Newnham are restricted to women. These appointments comply with legislation on sex discrimination, relying on the Equality Act 2010, Schedule 22, and Article 3 of the College Charter.