Postdocs of Cambridge (PdOC)

College Affiliation

The vast majority of postdocs are not affiliated to a college during their time in Cambridge. This means that most postdocs do not have the benefits of access to inter-department contacts or college facilities, and often remain on the edges of University life. One of PdOC's main aims is to work with the university authorities to try to improve this situation. This is a big challenge and will not happen overnight. Nonetheless we are gradually seeing improvements year on year. Many senior figures in the university have made it clear that they welcome the assistance of PdOC in exploring how to continue to improve the situation. If you would like to help, get in touch with the PdOC committee.

There is the potential to become affiliated with a college, though different colleges provide different levels of affiliation. A useful summary of the levels of affilation available for each college has been assembled by Anne Forde at the Careers service which can be downloaded here (PDF File, 156 KB).

Guide to postdoc college affiliation

Jennifer Clark, Frank Sobott

A further way of becoming associated with a college is through the following fellowships:

Full Fellowships

Postdocs may become full college fellows ('Senior Research Fellows') on recommendation by a member of the college, for example their departmental supervisor or head of department. This is usually after they have been in Cambridge long enough to settle in and get to know people a bit. They should also have a proven track record in student supervision, and obtained a 'senior' status. The position carries various obligations. Fellows are responsible for the finances of the college, must attend council meetings and fulfill particular roles within the college, e.g., help to run college events.

Stipendiary Junior Research Fellowships

This could be seen as an alternative to a normal postdoc position, but Ph.D. students in their last year do also qualify. Junior Research Fellowships (JRFs) usually last for two or three years, and the JRF is paid by the college and may sometimes live and work in college. The salary is usually considerably lower than for an externally funded postdoc position, but free accommodation and meals can well make up for that. In the sciences and some other disciplines it may depend on the postdoc being offered space in the relevant department. Dining rights (at High Table, if they have one) are usually included and the postdoc will be invited to take part in all college activities. Teaching is optional, but usually up to 6 hours of supervisions per week may be undertaken, with separate payment. Much less is required of a JRF than of a senior fellow.

Non-stipendiary Junior Research Fellowships

As above but with no stipend. Accommodation is usually offered, or a living- out allowance of about £3000. Probably ideal for postdocs who already have their own funding or are paid externally through a research project.

How to Apply

There are a limited number of stipendiary and non-stipendiary places available every year, always with stiff competition, especially for the more prestigious colleges. The best way to find out about these is by looking in the University Reporter (see below, go to 'weekly numbers'). Posts for the next academic year, i.e. beginning the following October, are advertised any time between late summer and just after Christmas the previous year, so it is well worth planning in advance! 'College Notices' are towards the bottom of each issue of the Reporter, but please note that fellowships are only advertised once—which unfortunately means sifting through all relevant issues! The adverts can also be found on the college webpages http://www.cam.ac.uk/colleges/ (see also below). For many colleges, prospective JRFs should be under the age of 30 and not have spent more than 4 or 5 years in research. For the application a short research proposal is usually required, along with two references which have to be sent in at the time of application. The majority of awards are made in December, but a few colleges differ in this and make awards in spring.

The Reporter

In case you have not yet met the Reporter, it is a newspaper that is printed by the University. It is used to advertise all vacancies, and also to discuss possible changes in the way the University works. Possible changes are advertised in advance, and all members of the Regent House (employees of the university, including all postdocs) are free to comment on, or object to, the proposals. If few objections are received, then it is assumed that we all approve, and the new rules are implemented. If you would like to read it then you can find it in University and college libraries, in the University centre, and on the Reporter webpage http://www.admin.cam.ac.uk/reporter/.

Colleges

For information about Stipendiary and Non-stipendiary Research Fellowships, Teaching Bye-Fellowships and Senior Studentships, see the regularly updated information on the webpages of the individual College, and the University Reporter http://www.admin.cam.ac.uk/reporter/.

Complete list of colleges and some additional information:
Colleges: http://www.cam.ac.uk/cambuniv/colleges.html
Cambridge history: http://www.cam.ac.uk/cambuniv/pubs/history/
Cambridge Map: http://www.cam.ac.uk/map/
College foundation dates: http://www.quns.cam.ac.uk/Queens/Misc/Coll-Dates-Cam.html