The Science and Technology Facilities Council offer 10 Fellowships each year to early-career researchers in astronomy, solar and planetary science, particle physics, particle astrophysics, cosmology and nuclear physics. A quota system applies for each university and so the department runs an annual internal selection process for this scheme. It is therefore essential that you contact the research facilitation team fellowships@physics.ox.ac.uk and a member of academic staff with a research area similar to your interests as soon as possible for further information and guidance.
Funding is available for 5 years including applicant's salary, and limited research expenses and travel funding. Applicants must not have a permanent academic position and should refer to STFC's competency profile to determine they are at the correct career stage. The scheme is open to applicants of any nationality and further guidance is available on the STFC website. From 2023 applications are submitted through the new TFS portal (rather than JeS).
Deadlines and timescales (2023)
Applications are now closed for 2023, the next call is expected to be held in Summer 2024. Please email fellowships@physics.ox.ac.uk to register your interest if you'd like to be notified by email when the next round is announced. The below outlines the internal process from the 2023 call for information.
- 5th July 2023 - Internal EOI Deadline. The department is running an internal sifting process and applicants are asked to submit an expression of interest (EOI) by the 5th of July to fellowships@physics.ox.ac.uk.
- EOIs should consist of a one-page summary of the research proposal, CV and publication list. Applicants should cc in their Oxford Physics sponsor (an academic based in the department who supports your application) and also include the name of their second reader for the application. Please discuss and confirm the support of your sponsor before submitting your EOI.
The department is welcoming of fellowship applicants from diverse backgrounds and individuals from underrepresented groups in physics are particularly encouraged to apply. Please reach out to the fellowship team (on fellowships@physics.ox.ac.uk) if you wish to discuss your individual circumstances with a member of the team or you have any accessibility or accommodation requirements for the application or internal selection process.
The ERF scheme encourages people to work in a way that suits their personal circumstances. This includes consideration of career breaks, support for people with caring responsibilities, flexible working and alternative working patterns during the fellowship. Fellowships can be held on a part-time basis if required for your personal circumstances such as caring responsibilities or disability/chronic health conditions. Applications are welcome from applicants who are returning from a career break or those working outside of academia. If you are a researcher who has had a break of 2 or more years, you may want to consider an application the STFC Return to research support bursary.
Guidance and useful info
Once we know that you intend to apply, and have been selected as one of the department's allocated entries we will be able to send you our internal guidance documents. We will also be running training for selected candidates in late July.
The interview stage is an important part of the selection process so if you are invited for interview please notify the facilitation team and your local academic contacts as soon as possible so that mock interviews can be arranged in advance of the real interview.