Newnham College, University of Cambridge
Junior Research Fellowships

The purpose of Junior Research Fellowships is to allow highly-talented women (fellowships at Newnham are restricted to women. These appointments comply with legislation on sex discrimination, relying on the Equality Act 2010, Schedule 22, and Article 3 of the College Charter) to pursue their research single-mindedly in a supportive academic environment. Fellowships are normally awarded to women just finishing their PhDs, or those in their first post-doctoral appointment.

Research Fellows are appointed for a period of three years, although many leave sooner if they are successful in gaining faculty appointments in Cambridge or elsewhere. Both selection panels use the concept of “research age” in judging how long a candidate has been active in research, so that time out of research for professional or family reasons will not be a disadvantage.

During their tenure JRFs have no other duties other than to pursue their research, but they may, if they wish, participate in College teaching. They are members of the College Governing Body, and may serve on other College committees.

The Fellowships carry a competitive stipend, plus accommodation in a college set or flat. An additional allowance is paid if the holder chooses to live in non-College accommodation. Fellowships may be also be awarded on a non-stipendiary basis to women who hold another post-doctoral appointment in the University or in a recognised University Partner Institution (UPI). Funds are available to support research costs, such as conference travel: all Research Fellows are also entitled to a one-off sum of up to £10K towards the cost of a research project, or towards running a Newnham-based research event, such as a conference or workshop.

We normally elect two women to Junior Research Fellowships each year, one in the Sciences (including Mathematics, Engineering and Psychology) and one in the Humanities and Social Sciences. However, for 2014/15 one Junior Research Fellowship will be offered in the Sciences, and two in the Humanities and Social Sciences.

The Humanities and Social Sciences Research Fellowship subjects are normally offered on a three-year rotation. However, for 2014/15 only, one Fellowship will be offered in the rotational subjects as listed below, and the second will be entirely open as to field within the Humanities and Social Sciences.

2014/15: Classics, Human, Social and Political Sciences (HSPS) (including Archaeology and Anthropology, Politics and International Studies, Social Sciences) Modern and Medieval Languages (including Theoretical and Applied Linguistics), Philosophy, Geography, History and Philosophy of Science.

Applications are currently being accepted, with appointment wef 1st October 2015.
The closing date for applications is Friday 31st October 2014.

Newnham research students in the whole field of the Humanities and Social Sciences are eligible for both Research Fellowships, regardless of the rotational listing.
For further information re: both Humanities Fellowships, and details of how to apply click here.

2015/16: Economics, English, Education, Business & Management, Land Economy, Music, Law.
(Applications will open in late summer 2015, with appointment wef 1 October 2016)

2016/17: History, Architecture, History of Art, Asian and Middle Eastern Studies, Divinity.
(Applications will open in late summer 2016, with appointment wef 1 October 2017)