Mays-Wild Research Fellowship 

The Governing Body of Downing College, Cambridge, invites applications for election to the Mays-Wild Research Fellowship.

Details of the Fellowship

The Mays-Wild Research Fellowship is open to graduates in any area of Physical Natural Sciences from any university. It is intended to support the early careers of exceptionally talented researchers who will go on to make significant contributions in any field of the Physical Natural Sciences including, but not limited to, Astronomy, Physics, Materials Science, Chemistry and Earth Sciences. As such, these Fellowships have normally been awarded to candidates who are approaching the end of their doctoral research or are just commencing postdoctoral study. The successful candidate must provide satisfactory evidence of eligibility to work in the UK. Applications are welcomed from a diverse range of backgrounds.

The stipend is £35,608 (Step 39 of the University Salary Scale). This figure is reviewed annually and standard increments awarded during the coming academic year will be included before October 2026). The Fellowship can be stipendiary or non-stipendiary, for 3 years from October 2026 and is not renewable. The application must be supported by a statement from the Head of Department stating that access to space and facilities to support the applicant’s research will be available for 3 years.

Applications require a research proposal in addition to the applicant’s CV and research output to date and must be accompanied by two references that comment on your research output and potential. Full application details are provided in the further particulars. Interviews for the Mays-Wild Fellowship will be held in May 2026.

The successful candidate will become a full Fellow of the College, as well as member of the Governing Body, and will be entitled to all the rights and privileges of a Fellow, including seven meals a week in College, either lunch or dinner, at College expense. Accommodation within College, which would be subject to availability, is chargeable at a market rate.  Other Fellowship benefits include an academic expenses allowance of £550 per annum and a Fund administered by five senior Fellows to which application can be made for further help with academic and conference expenses. 

Further details of the role can be found in the full job advert. 

Application process 

The Mays-Wild Fellowship is aimed at researchers who have just completed their doctoral research. Further information can be obtained from research-fellowship@dow.cam.ac.uk.

Applicants must upload the following documents to the online application system:

  1. A curriculum vitae (of no more than three A4 sides) including details of higher education, degrees awarded, positions held and a list of publications.
  2. A document (of no more than 1200 words in length and no more than two A4 sides) containing descriptions of your current research, of the research you propose to undertake during the Fellowship and the impact you expect it to have.

Applicants must also supply the names and contact details of two referees to enable letters of recommendation.

The deadline for applications and references is Wednesday 31 December 2025 at 12.00 noon.

Apply now via our Fellowship Application System. 

If you have any further questions regarding any aspect of the competition, please e-mail research-fellowship@dow.cam.ac.uk to reach the competition administrator.