Newnham College Research Fellowship (Science, Mathematics, Engineering or Psychology)
Stipendiary, 3 years Early-career postdoctoral 3 years, not renewable Start: 1 October 2027 Apply by 3 Sep 2026
Eligibility: Newnham is a women’s college and the Fellowship carries eligibility conditions that the College sets and defines — read them in the application information document and judge for yourself whether you qualify. Beyond that: open to candidates of any nationality who have recently been awarded a PhD, or who have no more than a few years of full-time postdoctoral experience. A thesis not yet examined must have been submitted by 31 August 2026.
A three-year stipendiary Research Fellowship at Newnham College, open across science, mathematics, engineering and psychology. Applications close 23:59 on Thursday 3 September 2026, for a Fellowship starting 1 October 2027.
Why this one needs a host
The College is explicit that the departmental arrangement is the candidate’s to make:
Research Fellows have the freedom to develop their own research but often choose to work within a department or faculty of the University of Cambridge (or in an associated local research institute), where they would usually be welcomed by a named individual; candidates should make such arrangements themselves. We will ask the department, faculty or associated local research institute to confirm the arrangements in a letter of support at the shortlisting stage.
The 1,000-word research statement must also carry “an assurance that, where necessary, appropriate research arrangements with a department/faculty at the University of Cambridge or local research institute have been made.”
If your work sits near fluid–structure interaction, interfacial flows, kinematic optimization or biomechanics, write to me and I will make that arrangement with the Department of Engineering.
What it carries
Stipend at point 42 on the University scale (£38,784 for 2025–26, pay award pending), rising annually on a three-point scale, with USS eligibility. A separate £10,000 award to run a conference or seminar series in College promoting your research. Optional paid College teaching, capped at six hours a week in Full Term. Fellows are expected to be resident in Cambridge during Full Term.
Dates
| Thesis submitted by | 31 August 2026 (hard cut-off if not yet awarded) |
| Applications close | 3 September 2026, 23:59 |
| References due | 10 September 2026 |
| Written work requested / due | 30 October / 6 November 2026 |
| Interviews | week commencing 11 January 2027 |
| Fellowship begins | 1 October 2027 |
Applications are made through the College’s own system, linked from the page above. If you are eligible for both this and Newnham’s Early Career Fellowship in Engineering — same closing date — one application covers both; say so on the form and include both parts of the research and teaching statement.
Given the closing date, do not wait to have a polished proposal before writing to me. A short email saying what you work on and that you intend to apply is enough to start.