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Royal Astronomical Society fellowships

Postdoctoral-level fellowships

Royal Astronomical Society Research and Sir Norman Lockyer Fellowships

The Oxford Physics internal selection process for the 2026 round is OPEN

Summary

Oxford Physics EOI deadline: 12:00 midday (UK time), Wednesday 30 September 2026

Internal selection outcome: Wednesday 14 October 2026, midday UK time.

RAS application deadline: 15 November 2026

  • Three-year fellowships supporting promising early-career researchers in astronomy, solar system science, geophysics and related areas.
  • The RAS offers Research Fellowships and Sir Norman Lockyer Fellowships through a combined call.
  • Fellowships provide salary costs plus up to £5,000 per annum towards meetings, conferences and other research-related costs.
  • Oxford Physics can support a maximum of two applications and will therefore run a competitive internal selection process.
  • Applicants must identify an Oxford Physics academic sponsor before submitting an EOI.
  • Queries should be sent to fellowships@physics.ox.ac.uk.

Overview

The Royal Astronomical Society (RAS) offers fellowships to enable promising early-career scientists to undertake an independent programme of research at a UK university.

Two types of fellowship are awarded:

  • RAS Research Fellowships, supporting research in the disciplines advanced by the RAS, including astronomy, solar system science, geophysics and closely related branches of these sciences; and
  • Sir Norman Lockyer Fellowships, supporting research on astronomical topics, including solar system and planetary science.

The fellowship conditions are identical, with the type of fellowship awarded determined by the scientific area of the successful application. Fellowships normally provide three years of support and may also be held part-time, subject to RAS approval.

The RAS has revised its host institution eligibility criteria for the 2026 round. Under the revised criteria, Oxford Physics is eligible to host applications to the 2026 call. Applicants should read the full RAS scheme guidance on the RAS webpage before submitting an EOI.

Eligibility

Applicants must:

  • hold a recognised PhD degree or equivalent obtained after 1 October 2024; OR
  • have taken their PhD viva examination by the RAS application deadline and expect to be awarded their PhD before the fellowship start date;
  • be able to demonstrate that they have the right to live and work in the United Kingdom; and
  • not currently be an RAS Council member, and not intend to serve on RAS Council during the fellowship period.

Career breaks and other circumstances

Applicants whose research careers have been affected by circumstances such as parental leave, caring responsibilities, long-term illness, disability or other significant career breaks are encouraged to apply. The RAS will take such circumstances into account when assessing eligibility against the PhD requirements above.

Where relevant, applicants should provide appropriate information about these circumstances in their EOI submission, in confidence if required, so that they can also be taken into account during the Oxford Physics internal selection process,.

Key dates – 2026 round

  • Wednesday 30 September 2026, 12:00 UK time - Oxford Physics internal EOI deadline (see below)
  • Wednesday 14 October 2026 - Results of internal sub-department selection announced
  • 15 November 2026 - RAS application deadline
  • October 2027 - Expected fellowship start

Oxford Physics EOI process (2026)

The RAS permits a maximum of two applications per department, school or unit. Oxford Physics will therefore run a competitive internal selection process to identify the two candidates the department will support.

To submit and expression of interest, please send the following documents to fellowships@physics.ox.ac.uk by 12:00 midday (UK time) on Wednesday 30 September 2026, copying in your intended Oxford Physics academic sponsor.

  • a one-page research proposal; and
  • a two-page CV.

In your submission email, please also confirm that:

  1. you meet the RAS PhD eligibility requirements outlined above;
  2. you can demonstrate that you have the right to live and work in the UK;
  3. you are not currently an RAS Council member and do not intend to serve on RAS Council during the fellowship period; and
  4. you have discussed your proposed research and its associated costs with your Oxford Physics sponsor and confirmed that the £5,000 per annum research allowance will be sufficient to deliver the proposed research.

Where relevant, please also provide details of any career breaks or other circumstances that should be taken into account when assessing your eligibility. This can be in confidence if required.

Additional Information

Sponsor - Applicants must identify an Oxford Physics academic sponsor before submitting an EOI and should discuss their proposed project with them. Your sponsor must be copied into your EOI submission email.

Research costs - The fellowship provides up to £5,000 per annum for costs incurred in attending meetings and conferences and other items related to the research. Applicants should discuss the expected costs of their proposed research with their Oxford Physics sponsor before submitting an EOI.

If the £5,000 per annum allowance will not be sufficient to deliver the proposed project, the applicant may still submit an EOI. However, their proposed Oxford Physics sponsor must also send a brief statement to fellowships@physics.ox.ac.uk confirming how the additional research costs will be covered.

EOI assessment - In 2026, Oxford Physics may support two applications to this scheme. Eligible EOIs will be considered by an Oxford Physics internal selection panel using the RAS Fellowship assessment criteria. Specifically, the panel will consider:

  • capability;
  • achievement;
  • promise; and
  • the research proposal.

Applicants will be informed of the outcome of the internal selection process by Wednesday 14 October 2026.

Candidates selected through the internal process will receive support from the Research Facilitation team to develop their full application ahead of the RAS deadline.

Equality, diversity and inclusion

Oxford Physics welcomes fellowship applications from candidates from all backgrounds and recognises that individual circumstances and career breaks can affect research careers. 

The RAS specifically encourages applications from researchers whose careers have been affected by circumstances including parental leave, caring responsibilities, long-term illness, disability or other significant career breaks. These circumstances can be taken into account when determining eligibility.

If you require adjustments or specific support during the Oxford Physics internal selection or application process, please contact fellowships@physics.ox.ac.uk.

For more information, visit our ED&I webpage.