Please note, each institution can only hold one RAS fellowship at any one time, Oxford Physics currently hosts a RAS Research Fellow and therefore we will not be able to support RAS Fellowship applications in 2024 or 2025. We expect to next be eligible to support applications for the 2027 round (as there is no call planned in 2026). Information on each of the RAS schemes is included below for information.

We may still be able to host a Daphne Jackson Fellowship, so if you are interested in applying for this scheme, please discuss further with the Research Facilitation team (fellowships@physic.ox.ac.uk).

Research Fellowships

Applications for this scheme will be sought every three years, in 2021, 2024 and 2027. The purpose of these fellowships is to enable outstanding candidates to pursue research in the UK in the disciplines advanced by the RAS ie astronomy, solar system science, geophysics and closely related branches of these sciences.

Norman Lockyer Fellowships

Applications for this scheme will be sought every three years, in 2022, 2025 and 2028.
The purpose of these fellowships is to enable an outstanding researcher to devote the majority of their time to research on an astronomical topic, including solar system and planetary science.

Applicants for both of the above fellowships must complete an application form and provide CV, a list of publications, and a research proposal. You will also be required to provide two independent referees who will be contacted directly by RAS to provide a reference.

Funding is for up to three years, and covers applicant's salary and limited research expenses/travel costs (£2k/annum).

Applicants must have been awarded their PhD less than 5 years before the start of the fellowship, and have completed their viva at the time of application (with an expectation of the PhD being awarded by the start of the fellowship). There are no eligibility restrictions by nationality but you must be eligible to work in the UK.

Further information and the link to the application form are available at the funder's website.

Daphne Jackson Fellowships

The Daphne Jackson Trust offers flexible, part-time, paid Fellowships, normally for two years, to assist talented scientists into a career following a break of at least two years. Candidates in astronomy and geophysics eligible for the Royal Astronomical Society Daphne Jackson Fellowship should see the Daphne Jackson Trust website for further details of the scheme and how to apply.