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, which has the 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.