Adrian Research Fellowship 2026 in Philosophy

Overview

Darwin College invites applications for the Adrian Research Fellowship 2026 in Philosophy. The Adrian Research Fellowships were created at Darwin in 1981 through a benefaction from Trinity College and are named in honour of Lord (Edgar) Adrian. The function of the Fellowship is to provide a formal, supported starting point for an academic career.

Eligibility

The Fellowship is open to candidates from any university. It is intended for an outstanding researcher of any age who is completing or has recently completed their PhD, or an equivalently recognised degree, and who can present substantial written work of outstanding quality, published or unpublished. No more than three years of research should have been undertaken since the candidate’s PhD was conferred by 1 October 2026. Any career breaks or part-time working will be taken into account. Candidates should be engaged in any area of philosophy.

Duties and Conditions

The Adrian Research Fellow will engage in research in the appointee’s own special subject. In addition, the Fellow may have the opportunity to undertake, during Term, up to six hours a week of undergraduate/graduate teaching in the Fellow’s own subject at Trinity College or another College, or in a relevant university faculty/department at the standard rates of pay. The Research Fellow would be encouraged to participate in the opportunities provided by the Faculty of History or cognate departments and faculties. Apart from this, an Adrian Research Fellow is not normally permitted to hold another post. The Fellow will be a member of the Governing Body of Darwin College and will be subject to the Statutes and Ordinances of the College, which may be seen on the College website or on request. The Statutes include the obligation to reside in or near Cambridge for at least two-thirds of each University term, unless excused by the Governing Body.

Tenure

The Fellowship will run for three years from 1 October 2026. The Fellowship is renewable for one further year to a maximum of four years after that period at the discretion of the Fellowships Committee.

Stipend and Emoluments

The starting stipend for the Adrian Research Fellow with a PhD will be set at not less than Point DC28 on the Darwin College Salary spine (currently £27,845), subject to an annual cost-of-living uplift and to annual increments (the third year stipend at current rates would be £29,927). The stipend will be subject to a 10% reduction for any pre-PhD appointee. Membership of the Universities’ Superannuation Scheme is offered or alternatively the appointee will be auto-enrolled in the College’s workplace pension scheme. It may be possible to offer rented accommodation (hostel room or small flat) subject to availability, for which a charge at normal (subsidised) college rates will be made. An additional allowance will be paid to any Fellow not resident in college. The Adrian Research Fellow will be entitled to dine and lunch free of charge at the normal College table whenever meals are served (up to a limit of seven meals in each week). Guests may be entertained at lunch or dinner, up to a practical limit, with some meals free of charge within any quarter. An allowance of up to £1,000 a year will be available for receipted travel and research expenses. A further £500 a year is available as a subsidy for conferences mounted in the College (paid at the discretion of the Fellowships and Finance Committees).

Applications

Applications should be submitted at https://app.casc.cam.ac.uk/fas_live/darwinarf/

By 3 October 2025 and must include:

• a curriculum vitae;
• an account, in not more than 500 words, of the proposed research and the background to it;
• a summary in not more than 500 words of your PhD thesis, for a non-specialist audience;
• reasons for applying to Darwin College, stating specific ways in which you would contribute to College activities (not more than 500 words);
• an assurance that, where necessary, appropriate research arrangements have been made;
• the names and emails of two referees who will also need to submit a reference online by 10 October 2025; and
• a list of published or unpublished work, up to 10,000 words, that would be available for submission if requested.

Candidates may be called for interview at Darwin College on Thursday 30 October 2025.

Equality and inclusion: We are committed to equality of opportunity for all Fellows and encourage applications from all sections of society. Any appointment will be subject to UK Visa and Immigration regulations.