R.J.P. Williams Junior Research Fellowship in Chemistry (Non Stipendiary)

The post is intended to provide a college attachment for a post-doctoral researcher in one of the science departments of the University, and will be tenable for one year in the first instance and renewable for a further two years, or until the University research post terminates, whichever is the sooner. The post will not be renewed beyond the third year, but should the post-holder take family leave during the period of appointment their contract will be extended by an equivalent period of time.

The costs of the Fellowship are borne by a Trust Fund set up in honour of Professor R.J.P. Williams FRS, Emeritus Fellow of the College.

Wadham is one of the larger colleges of the University of Oxford, with approximately 450 undergraduates, 250 graduates, and over 70 Fellows. Founded in 1610 by Nicholas and Dorothy Wadham, Wadham College has a strong commitment to academic values, within a liberal and progressive atmosphere. The College is situated close to the heart of the city, in Parks Road. Its buildings range from the formality of the Jacobean quad to the informality of the centuries-old cottages along Holywell Street, and its spacious grounds provide a relaxed setting for intellectual and social fellowship.

Wadham College is committed to maintaining a vibrant and internationally excellent teaching and research environment. It accordingly expects its Fellows to be active in research and to contribute to a high-quality teaching and learning experience for its student body. All Fellows should find in the College a convivial and lively atmosphere conducive to interdisciplinary exchange and support. The College has a strong commitment to supporting individual researchers, and to contributing to the University’s strategic goals in research and teaching. The contribution of Junior Research Fellows to many aspects of College life, including contact with graduates and undergraduates, is very welcome.

Potential applicants can find out more about the College from the College website: www.wadham.ox.ac.uk.

Chemistry is firmly established at Wadham, with three Fellows, Professor Darren Dixon [Organic], Dr Stephan Rauschenbach [Physical], and Dr Lydia Gilday [Inorganic]. We typically have 32 undergraduates on course, and around 15-20 graduates, at any one time. The college has a strong and continuing commitment across the sciences.

The Fellowship is designed to support the post holder’s career development, primarily through the support of their research. Participation in the educational activities of the college through paid tutorial teaching, access and outreach work, and involvement in admissions is also welcomed, and the College will take this into consideration in assessing applications. The post holder may also be asked to act as College Adviser to a small number of graduate students; this role is a significantly lesser responsibility than that of a supervisor, but provides a graduate with a mentor in a related research area with whom to discuss their progress and career aspirations. The post-holder will hold the Fellowship under the terms of the College’s Statutes and By-laws.

The post holder will be a full member of Wadham’s vibrant and inclusive intellectual community and as part of the Senior Common Room will benefit from everything that the close collegiate setting has to offer, including full access to social and sports facilities, to regular inter-disciplinary research seminars and to College events and dinners.

The post is intended to provide a college attachment for a post-doctoral researcher in Chemistry (broadly defined) at the University of Oxford; to be eligible candidates must therefore have such an association confirmed.

The successful candidate will have produced research of a high quality (taking into account the stage of their career). The committee will consider the degree to which candidates’ careers may be enhanced by such an association, and equally the ways in which candidates are likely to enrich the academic life of the college. Preference will be given to those who have not previously held, or who are not currently holding, an equivalent early-career post and to candidates who have completed their doctorate no longer than six years before the start of their post, excluding justified career breaks (parental leave, sick leave, carer’s leave etc.).

Applicants should submit a curriculum vitae (including a list of publications) and covering letter, which should include a summary of research history and future plans. Candidates should also ask two referees to write directly to the Warden’s Executive Assistant via the email address below. It is the candidate’s responsibility to ensure that letters from referees are received by the closing date.

All application materials should be sent to warden.ea@wadham.ox.ac.uk by noon on 20th June 2025 Applications will be considered by a small Selection Committee who will interview a final shortlist on 7th July 2025.

Please note that the appointment of the successful candidate will be subject to standard pre-employment screening, as applicable to the post. This will include proof of identity. Applicants should be aware that visa requirements will apply.

Wadham has a proud tradition of being at the forefront of advancing equality of opportunity, and celebrates vigorous debate, independent thought, and academic excellence. We seek to create a welcoming, accessible, and secure environment in which to work, study, live, and visit. Our community embraces people of all ages, backgrounds, races/ethnicities, nationalities, beliefs (including religious beliefs), genders, sexualities, dis/abilities, and appearances. This diversity, underpinned by mutual respect and consideration, enriches us all.