Research Fellowship At Cambridge: Apply For The St John’s College Postdoctoral Award 2026 -

About the St John’s College Research Fellowship

The St John’s College Research Fellowship is a prestigious postdoctoral opportunity offered by St John’s College, one of the oldest and most distinguished colleges at the University of Cambridge. These fellowships are designed to support promising academics in the STEM disciplines and selected fields within the arts and humanities who are at an early stage in their academic career.

Awardees will join a thriving interdisciplinary environment where innovation, academic rigor, and intellectual exchange are encouraged. The fellowship is not tied to any specific research project or supervisor, allowing recipients the freedom to define their own research agenda and engage deeply with the College’s dynamic scholarly network.

Early-career researchers across the globe now have the opportunity to join one of the most intellectually enriching environments in the world—St John’s College at the University of Cambridge. The St John’s College Research Fellowship 2026 is currently open for applications, offering outstanding PhD graduates the rare chance to conduct independent postdoctoral research in a stimulating academic community.

This four-year fellowship is among the most coveted in the UK, renowned for providing exceptional scholars the freedom to pursue bold research without teaching obligations, while also enjoying full integration into the vibrant life of a historic Cambridge college.

Eligible Fields

The 2026 Research Fellowship is open to a wide range of academic disciplines, including:

STEM Subjects:
All scientific, technological, engineering, and mathematical fields.

Arts and Humanities (selected disciplines only):

Anthropology
Architecture
Modern and Medieval Languages (French, German, Italian, Spanish, Russian, Portuguese)
Classics
Education
History
History and Philosophy of Science
History of Art
Theology, Religion and Philosophy of Religion
Land Economy
Philosophy

Applicants must demonstrate expertise and potential in one of these fields and submit a compelling research proposal that reflects originality and scholarly value.

Eligibility Criteria

The fellowship is open to graduates from any university worldwide who meet the following eligibility criteria:

Must have submitted their PhD thesis after 1 October 2024, or
Be on track to submit their thesis no later than 1 October 2026
Must not currently hold or have accepted a Fellowship at any other Cambridge College
Applicants of any nationality and from all universities are welcome to apply

This award is tailored for early-career researchers who are ready to pursue a significant postdoctoral research trajectory within an esteemed academic environment.

Selection Criteria

The St John’s College Research Fellowship is purely merit-based and selections are made without interviews. A rigorous academic committee will evaluate applications based on:

Submitted research samples (typically academic writing or journal articles)
Previous academic achievements
The quality and originality of the research proposal
Academic references (three are required)

Candidates are strongly advised to submit their application early and ensure that referees are informed of the submission deadline, as incomplete applications will not be considered.

Eligible Countries

This fellowship is open to applicants from all countries. Regardless of nationality or university of origin, candidates who meet the eligibility criteria are encouraged to apply. Whether you are from the UK, Nigeria, India, Brazil, Germany, or anywhere else, your application will be evaluated solely on academic merit.

Required Documents

To submit a complete application, candidates will need:

A current Curriculum Vitae (CV)
A detailed research proposal
Samples of published or unpublished academic writing
Contact details for three academic referees
Proof of PhD submission or expected submission timeline

References must be submitted separately by the referees, no later than 23 September 2025 at 2:00 PM BST.

Benefits of the St John’s College Research Fellowship

Fellows receive a generous support package that allows them to focus entirely on their academic development while enjoying life at Cambridge. Benefits include:

Annual Stipend: Starting from £33,482/year, with annual increases
Housing Allowance: Up to £35,760 total over four years for those who reside off-campus
Research Grant: Up to £10,000 for books, travel, conferences, and related research expenses
Daily Meals: One free meal per day provided at College
Teaching Opportunities: Fellows may engage in up to 6 hours/week of teaching with additional remuneration
Office Space: Workspace in the College for Fellows not residing in College accommodation
Academic Community Access: Full participation in the academic, cultural, and social life of St John’s College

This fellowship provides a rare blend of intellectual independence, financial support, and collegiate engagement.

How to Apply

Applications for the 2026 Research Fellowship must be submitted online via the St John’s College application portal

Key Deadlines:

Application Deadline: 18 September 2025 at 2:00 PM BST
Reference Submission Deadline: 23 September 2025 at 2:00 PM BST

Applicants may submit their application before referees upload their references. However, your application will not be considered complete until all three references have been received.

For technical queries, applicants can email the Fellowship team or call:
📞 +44 1223 338 609