The internal physics selection process for the current round of this fellowship is now open
Summary
Internal departmental EOI deadline: 16 June 2025, 12:00 BST
Funder deadline: 10 September 2025, 17:00 CEST / 16:00 BST
- Supports two-year fellowships for postdoctoral researchers joining an established Oxford Physics research group.
- Open to researchers of any nationality, provided they have not resided or worked in the UK for more than 12 of the 36 months prior to the deadline.
- Applicants must hold a PhD and have up to 8 years of postdoctoral experience.
- Oxford Physics only supports European Postdoctoral Fellowships (not Global Fellowships).
- Funding covers living, travel, and family costs.
- Approved applications must be submitted via the EU’s Funding & Tenders portal.
- All questions should be directed to: fellowships@physics.ox.ac.uk
Overview
The MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowship scheme is designed to support talented researchers in developing their careers through international mobility and interdisciplinary collaboration. Fellows join established research groups and benefit from a structured, supportive environment for advancing their research. The scheme is open to applicants from any country, subject to mobility rules, and aims to strengthen European research excellence through training and knowledge transfer.
More information is available on the MSCA website.
Eligibility
- Applicants must hold a PhD by the fellowship start date.
- No more than 8 years of full-time research experience after PhD (career breaks and time outside research can be excluded).
- Applicants must not have resided or worked in the UK for more than 12 months in the 36 months before the deadline.
- Only European Postdoctoral Fellowship applications are supported by Oxford Physics. We do not support applications under the Global Postdoctoral Fellowship scheme.
- Please check the full eligibility criteria on the funder website.
Key dates and deadlines (2025 round):
- 16 June (12:00 UK time) – Internal EOI deadline
Submit EOI to fellowships@physics.ox.ac.uk, including:
• 1-page outline of research project;
• CV;
• Publications/output list;
• Sub-department;
• CC your Oxford Physics sponsor (they must confirm support). - ~1 July – Successful EOI candidates notified
- 25 July – Completion and approval of budget
- 3 September – University Research Services deadline
- 10 September (16:00 UK time) – Final submission to EU Funding & Tenders portal
Additional information
Sponsor - Applicants must identify and work with a host academic in Oxford Physics to develop their proposal. This individual will act as your sponsor. Please contact them early to confirm their support before submitting your EOI. If you experience difficulties securing a sponsor, email: fellowships@physics.ox.ac.uk
Resubmission rule - From 2022, a resubmission rule applies. If you submitted an MSCA application with the University of Oxford as host in the previous round and received a score below 70, you cannot reapply with Oxford in 2025.
Assessment criteria - EOIs will be evaluated based on the quality, originality, and feasibility of the proposed research, and its potential contribution to the field. Reviewers will consider the project’s importance, scientific merit, and clarity.
Equality, diversity and inclusion
Oxford Physics supports flexible working and career breaks, and recognises that a range of personal circumstances may influence career progression. We welcome applications from those with non-linear career paths or those returning to research following a break (e.g. due to illness, caring responsibilities, parental leave, or work outside academia). Applicants are encouraged to highlight any relevant circumstances in their EOI, or to discuss them confidentially with the Research Facilitation team at fellowships@physics.ox.ac.uk.
We particularly encourage EOIs from individuals from underrepresented groups in Physics. Should any candidate have difficulty in securing a sponsor within the department or need further guidance on this please contact the facilitation team and we will endeavour to support you. If you require specific support or accommodations during the application process, please let us know.
For further information on our approach to EDI, visit our ED&I webpage.