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Schmidt Science Fellowships (Oxford Physics DPhil students only)

Fellowship applications

The Oxford Physics internal selection process for the Schmidt Science Fellowship 2027 cohort is now OPEN.

Summary

Oxford Physics internal EOI deadline: 30 March 2026

MPLS division deadline (selected candidate only): 127 April 2026

Funder deadline (selected candidate only): 13 July 2026

  • Highly competitive fellowship for exceptional DPhil students in the natural sciences, engineering, mathematics and computing to undertake a 12–24 month postdoctoral placement in a field different from their PhD, at a world-leading laboratory anywhere in the world.
  • Provides a stipend of $110,000 per year, together with mentoring and access to the Schmidt Science Leadership Program.
  • Oxford Physics may nominate one candidate to the MPLS internal selection process, which will subsequently select eight candidates from across the division.
  • Candidates apply through their current department - Oxford Physics can only nominate a candidate who is currently hosted within the Department.

All Oxford Physics queries: fellowships@physics.ox.ac.uk 
MPLS enquiries: research@mpls.ox.ac.uk

Schmidt Science Fellows online information sessions on 23 March 2026 and 24 March 2026.  Register for these sessions at https://events.schmidtsciencefellows.org/en/4K5MVoX7/g/ewDF7SNk21

Overview

The Schmidt Science Fellows programme aims to develop the next generation of science leaders by supporting outstanding emerging researchers to undertake a significant disciplinary pivot at postdoctoral level.

The Fellowship supports candidates who demonstrate:

  • Exceptional academic achievement;
  • Intellectual curiosity, creativity and innovation;
  • Commitment to interdisciplinary research;
  • Leadership potential and ambition to create positive societal impact.

A clearly articulated and credible disciplinary pivot from the DPhil research area is central to the scheme and essential for competitiveness.

Further information about the scheme is available on the Schmidt Science Fellows website:
https://schmidtsciencefellows.org/. 

Further information about the MPLS sift is available on the university's coordinated bids page - https://www.mpls.ox.ac.uk/research-funding/coordinated-bids/schmidt-science-fellows-internal-process 

Eligibility

To be eligible for nomination through Oxford, candidates must:

  • Be currently undertaking a DPhil at the University of Oxford*;
  • Expect to complete all requirements for conferral of their DPhil between 1 May 2026 and 30 June 2027;
  • Be able to commence the Fellowship in July 2027 or October 2027, and be available between April 2027 and July 2028 for programme activities;
  • Have conducted their DPhil research in the natural sciences (Astronomy, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Earth Sciences), Engineering, Mathematics, Computing, or relevant sub-disciplines;
  • Propose a postdoctoral placement representing a clear and substantial disciplinary pivot from their DPhil field;

Candidates must also:

  • Have the support of their DPhil supervisor; 
  • Have the support of a sponsor in the department they will undertake the fellowship in;
  • Be in “good standing” (confirmation required from the Director of Graduate Studies; defined by this call as meaning no past or current sanctions on record and no ongoing disciplinary investigations relating to academic performance or conduct).

*Candidates who undertook their DPhil/PhD at another university cannot be nominated through Oxford’s quota.

Key Dates and deadlines (2026)

  • 30 March 2026, 12 noon – Oxford Physics internal EOI deadline (see below)
  • w/c 13 April 2026 – Selected applicant notified and supported to strengthen application
  • 27 April 2026, 12 noon – MPLS division deadline (selected candidate only)
  • by 15 May 2026 - University shortlisting outcomes announced
  • 13 July 2026 - Funder deadline

Oxford Physics EOI Submission (2026)

Submit the following documents to fellowships@physics.ox.ac.uk by 12 noon (UK time), Monday 30 March 2026:

  1. Research proposal (maximum one page) addressing:
    • Why you wish to apply to the Schmidt Fellowship;
    • The nature of the disciplinary pivot from your DPhil research;
    • What you aim to achieve during the Fellowship, including new skills you intend to gain.
  2. CV and outputs list (maximum two sides of A4), including evidence of verbal presentation skills.
  3. Letter of support from your DPhil supervisor (maximum two sides of A4), commenting on:
    • Your academic strengths;
    • Your verbal communication abilities;
    • Likelihood of DPhil completion within the eligible timeframe.

Please Cc your DPhil supervisor into your submission email. 

Following departmental selection, confirmation of good standing will be sought from the Director of Graduate Studies for the nominated candidate. Internal candidates do not need to identify potential host laboratories at this stage. This will only be required if selected for nomination to Schmidt.

Additional information

Selection Criteria - Applications are assessed against Schmidt’s core criteria:

  1. Intellect: Outstanding academic achievement; Scientific curiosity, creativity and innovation
  2. Programmatic Fit: Strong alignment with the Fellowship’s interdisciplinary mission; A clearly defined and compelling disciplinary pivot; Evidence of effective collaboration
  3. Leadership: Ambition to contribute positively to society; Demonstrable leadership potential, resilience and integrity

Verbal communication skills are particularly important at interview stage.

Information Sessions - Schmidt Science Fellows will run two identical online information sessions for prospective candidates on 23 March 2026 and 24 March 2026. Eligible STEM and Computing DPhil students are encouraged to attend. Registration is available via:
https://events.schmidtsciencefellows.org/en/4K5MVoX7/g/ewDF7SNk21

Which Department Should You Apply Through? - Applicants enter the internal selection process through their current DPhil department, regardless of where they intend to hold their postdoctoral placement.

  • Current Oxford Physics DPhil students must apply via the Oxford Physics internal sift.
  • DPhil students currently hosted in another Oxford department must apply through their own department’s internal process — even if they are considering a future postdoctoral placement in Oxford Physics.

Oxford Physics can only nominate a candidate who is currently hosted within the Department.

Candidates based in other departments who wish to explore a potential future placement in Oxford Physics are welcome to discuss this informally with prospective academic hosts, but nomination must come from their current department.

Postdoctoral Placement Location - It is entirely normal for Schmidt Science Fellows undertake their postdoctoral placement at a different institution from the one at which they completed their DPhil. The nominating institution (Oxford) does not need to be the host institution for the postdoctoral placement. Fellows may move to another university or research organisation worldwide, provided the placement represents a clear disciplinary pivot.