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Non-Stipendiary College Associations for Research Staff

Welcome to the Non-Stipendiary College Associations webpage.

Benefits of acquiring a college association

There are many benefits to acquiring a college association.  Most importantly, it enables researchers to meet and talk with people beyond their own department or academic discipline.  An opportunity to engage with the wider collegiate research and teaching community is considered a quintessential part of the Oxford experience, for University research staff as well as their external collaborators and visitors.  Such benefits are at the core of the collegiate system.

Information for college administration teams

Types of Association

  • There are many different forms of non-stipendiary college associations, from Junior Research Fellowships to lighter forms of association such as Senior Common Room membership or association in return for acting as a College Adviser. 
  • The form of non-stipendiary association offered will vary by college and/or vacancy. 
  • All vacancies listed below are for non-stipendiary positions.  Applicants must have their salary funded via another source. 
  • All forms of association enable researchers to meet others outside their field,  and to forge new intellectual and social links.

The application process

  • Applications for non-stipendiary association should be made directly to the relevant college following the procedure described in the further particulars.
  • Please see the details of each individual opportunity to learn more about entitlements offered, the eligibility requirements, and the objectives of the college in making the appointment.
  • Associations are in demand and there are usually more research staff seeking college association than positions available, leading to a competitive selection process. 
  • Following the positive discussion among Head of House at Conference on 8 December 2020, colleges are encouraged to expand the number of associations going forward and so do revisit this page if you do not find a suitable vacancy today.

Other useful web resources

  • Colleges are invited to advertise their vacancies for non-stipendiary college association to University research staff via this page.   Additional opportunities may be advertised on the website of individual colleges.

Vacancies for non-stipendiary college associations for University research staff are listed below:


Vacancy 1

College                      
Jesus College, University of Oxford
Type of association   
Non-Stipendiary Research Associates in Mathematical, Physical and Life Sciences
Brief detailsThe College invites applications for 10 non-stipendiary Research Associates in the Mathematical, Physical and Life Sciences, tenable from 1 October 2025 for a fixed term of at least two years and a maximum of three.

These positions are intended for Early Career Researchers who have secured a postdoctoral research position at the University of Oxford but who do not have a college association.

Jesus College welcomes and celebrates diversity. We strive towards creating an inclusive environment, where our staff and those associated with the College feel valued and respected. We want them to thrive, regardless of their age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation. Our staff are an integral part of our community, and we cherish equally those qualities that make each of us unique, and those that bring us together.

To find out more, see 

For more details, please see: Helen Zhang Non-Stipendiary Research Associates in the Mathematical, Physical and Life Sciences – Jesus College

Closing date

The closing date for applications is 16th June 2025 (Noon)

Vacancy 2

CollegeWolfson College
Type of associationNon-Stipendiary Research Fellowships in Humanities and Social Sciences 2025
Brief detailsThe College proposes to elect up to twelve non-stipendiary Research/Junior Research Fellows in Humanities and Social Sciences from 1 October 2025.

Candidates will be required to be engaged in research, with a full-time University of Oxford/Wolfson contract of employment for the duration of the Fellowship.
To find out more, see 

Non-Stipendiary Research Fellowships in Humanities and Social Sciences 2025 - Wolfson College

Closing date23rd March 2025

Vacancy 3

CollegeKellogg College
Type of association    
Research Members of Common Room
Brief details

Research Members of Common Room are elected through an application process led by the Research Coordinator. Membership gives post-doctoral researchers a chance to contribute to and enjoy college life. The application process occurs annually and applications are made to the Academic Administrator, with a reference and statement as to how one would contribute to the life of the College, and are approved by the Research Coordinator.

Membership is renewable annually, coterminous with holding a (paid) research post in the University and attending an annual meeting.

RMCR are required to act as College Advisors. The College Academic Office will assign a maximum of 9 students to each member.

University cards allowing access to University buildings and the Bodleian as well as various online access are distributed through the members’ departments only. Kellogg will add a College ‘link’ on University cards to enable access to the College Hub.

RMCR are offered the use of meeting rooms, and short-term accommodation when available. Membership comes with discounted lunches and Guest Night Dinners as well as being invited to College-wide seminars and events.

For more information, please contact: [email protected]

To find out more, see 

Fellows - Kellogg College (ox.ac.uk)

Closing dateWhile applications are accepted all year round, they are only considered once a year over the summer. Nominations should be sent to [email protected]

Vacancy 4

CollegeKellogg College
Type of associationCommon Room Members
Brief details

Common Room members are proposed to Academic Committee by Official Fellows and agreed by Governing Body. Members can be non-academics, or academics whose standing is not regarded as of a Fellowship level. The membership is £60 per annum.

The length of membership is one year and renewable annually with payment.

If invited by the President or Senior Tutor and approved by the Academic Committee, Common Room Members may act as student advisors, in which case the £60 fee will be waived. The College Academic Office will assign around 6 students to each member.

Common Room Members will receive discounted lunches and Guest Night Dinners as well as being invited to College-wide seminars and events

Kellogg does not offer University cards to Common Room Members.

To find out more, see Fellows - Kellogg College (ox.ac.uk)
Closing dateNominations are accepted all year and will be considered by Academic Committee each term. Nominations should be sent to [email protected]

Vacancy 5

CollegeWolfson College
Type of associationResearch Membership of Common Room
Brief detailsResearch Membership of Common Room (post-doctoral or more senior) is aimed at Early Career Researchers, employed by the University of Oxford who are engaged in substantial research but do not have a College attachment. Membership is for a period of three years and all applications must be supported by the applicant’s Head of Department.
To find out more, seehttps://www.wolfson.ox.ac.uk/membership-charges

Vacancy 6

CollegeSt Antony’s College
Type of associationAssociate Membership
Brief details

St Antony’s offers the opportunity to apply for Associate Membership to anyone who does not already have an affiliation with any college in Oxford and is on the payroll of any of those departments from which the college recruits graduate students, essentially all departments in the Social Sciences Division (plus the Oxford Martin School) and the Faculty of History and Faculty of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies in the Humanities Division.

Associate members cannot apply directly but must be nominated by their Head of Department or Chair of Faculty and must be willing to be a college advisor for up to 4 (occasionally 5) graduate students. College advisors are supported by the Head of the Academic Office, Dean and Senior Tutor and the role involves offering support for students on the non-academic aspects of their time in Oxford. College advisors are matched with students outside their academic departments to avoid any conflict of interest.

Associate members are entitled to free lunches throughout the year and the use of the Senior Common Room. They are encouraged to attend College academic seminars and workshops. The memberships are coterminous with the applicant’s university contracts up to a maximum of three years.

To find out more, seeNominations should be sent by Heads of Department/Faculty Chairs to [email protected]
Closing dateThe college allows nominations by Heads of Department/Faculty Chairs throughout the year but particularly encourages them before the beginning of Michaelmas Term so that college advisees can be allocated to advisors from when they first arrive.


Vacancy 7

College                      
Worcester College, University of Oxford
Type of association   

Non-Stipendiary Junior Research Fellowship in the Social Sciences

Brief details

The College proposes to elect to a Junior Research Fellowship in the Social Sciences (open to all subjects in the Social Sciences) for a period of two years from 1 October 2025. The Fellow will not receive a stipend from the College, but will be a member of the Senior Common Room, entitled to lunch and dine free of charge (when the kitchens are open. The College is home to a thriving community of Research Fellows, Honorary and Emeritus Fellows. The recent appointment of two Heads of Research is part of a wider commitment to fostering a lively and supportive research environment, and the provision of support and mentoring to early career researchers. The College supports a range of research activities including seminars, workshops, public lectures, round-table discussions, and interdisciplinary approaches to research and publication that address a public audience.

The College regrets that it cannot provide study rooms or accommodation. Junior Research Fellows are not members of the Governing Body, but may, if invited, undertake a limited amount of teaching for Worcester College. If they do so, they will be paid at the regular outside tuition rate.

The successful applicant will be expected to carry out research in Oxford. The Fellowship may be held in conjunction with a funded research post in a University Department. Applications must reach the Academic Officer (Ms Henrietta Smethurst), Worcester College, Oxford OX1 2HB, or [email protected] by 5pm, Wednesday 11 June 2025, and should include a curriculum vitae, a covering letter including a research plan (specifying academic department and subject); the names of two referees; and complete the Equality Monitoring Form. References of shortlisted candidates will be taken up.



To find out more, see 

For more details, please see: Worcester College - Non-Stipendiary Junior Research Fellowship in the Social Sciences

Closing date

The closing date for applications is 11th June 2025 (5pm)


Vacancy 8

College                      
Worcester College, University of Oxford
Type of association   

Non-Stipendiary Junior Research Fellowship in the Sciences and Psychiatry/Neuroscience

Brief details

The College proposes to elect to two Junior Research Fellowships in the Sciences (open to all subjects in the Sciences) and to the Tilleard-Cole Junior Research Fellowship in Psychiatry/Neuroscience, all for a period of two years from 1 October 2025. The Fellows will not receive a stipend from the College, but will be members of the Senior Common Room, entitled to lunch and dine free of charge (when the kitchens are open). The College is home to a thriving community of Research Fellows, Honorary and Emeritus Fellows. The recent appointment of two Heads of Research is part of a wider commitment to fostering a lively and supportive research environment, and the provision of support and mentoring to early career researchers. The College supports a range of research activities including seminars, workshops, public lectures, round-table discussions, and interdisciplinary approaches to research and publication that address a public audience.

The College regrets that it cannot provide study rooms or accommodation. Junior Research Fellows are not members of the Governing Body, but may, if invited, undertake a limited amount of teaching for Worcester College. If they do so, they will be paid at the regular outside tuition rate.

The successful applicants will be expected to carry out research in Oxford. The Fellowship may be held in conjunction with a funded research posts in a University Department. Applications must reach the Academic Officer (Ms Henrietta Smethurst), Worcester College, Oxford OX1 2HB, or [email protected] by 5pm, Wednesday 11 June 2025, and should include a curriculum vitae, a covering letter including a research plan (specifying academic department and subject); the names of two referees; and complete the Equality Monitoring Form. References of shortlisted candidates will be taken up.

To find out more, see 

For more details, please see: Worcester College - Non-Stipendiary Junior Research Fellowship in the Sciences and Psychiatry/Neuroscience

Closing date

The closing date for applications is 11th June 2025 (5pm)


Vacancy 9

College                      
Wadham College, University of Oxford
Type of association   

Junior Research Fellowship in the Social Sciences (Non-Stipendiary)

Brief details

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 will 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.

To find out more, see 

For more details, please see: Wadham College - Junior Research Fellowship in the Social Sciences (Non-Stipendiary)

Closing date

The closing date for applications is 20th June 2025 (noon)


Vacancy 10

College                      
Wadham College, University of Oxford
Type of association   

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

Brief details

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.

To find out more, see 

For more details, please see: Wadham College - R.J.P. Williams Junior Research Fellowship in Chemistry (Non Stipendiary)

Closing date

The closing date for applications is 20th June 2025 (noon)

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