OXFORD

ACADEMIA + HIGHER EDUCATION
Higher education is a major sector of employment for university graduates. Indeed, the
largest single employer of Oxford graduates is Oxford University. Although Academia will
be the focus of this page, there is a wide variety of other professional roles in the University
managerial and support roles advertised on www.jobs.ac.uk for inspiration. Despite there
university graduates.
Academia itself can be a stimulating career option, offering
working life. On the downside, there is a high degree of
competition for roles and insecurity after the doctorate, in
It is near essential to have a DPhil/PhD in order to gain
a permanent academic position in the UK and many
as a tutor or lecturer. Alternatively, you might apply for
an independent fellowship, where you receive a grant
to develop your own research. Postdocs and fellowships
traditionally more common in science disciplines, so
Humanities and Social Science researchers looking to
develop their career after the doctorate may have to take
on teaching or a variety of other roles as a stepping stone
to a permanent position, or towards a ‘portfolio career’
in which academic work is one of several strands such
as consultancy, editorial or advisory work. Permanent
lectureship positions combine research and teaching with
administration duties, such as organising seminar series
Career paths vary depending on discipline, type of
Middle East.
GETTING IN AND ENTRY POINTS
FOR UNDERGRADUATES/MASTERS STUDENTS:
Depending on your subject, you may need a Masters
before you undertake a DPhil/PhD. Most application
deadlines for postgraduate study and funding in the UK
are between December and February in the academic year
prior to starting, but make plenty of time to talk to your
FOR DPHIL STUDENTS:
Networking throughout your DPhil will mean you hear of
posts through contacts, and will know people to advise
you on applications. Postdoc positions are advertised all
year round, but fellowship deadlines can be up to one year
before they start. Junior Research Fellowships – offered
are highly competitive, vary in salary, and are advertised
from September onwards. Most are advertised between
February and April. Lectureships are advertised year round
for the UK, and from September to December for North
America.
John Elliott
Research Scientist in
Earthquakes, University
of Oxford
“Whilst there are large
academic freedoms to be
found working in universities, this is a
highly competitive world - probably just
as ruthless as the city - with room for
only a tiny percentage to make it to a
permanent job.”
EXTRA-CURRICULAR IDEAS
+ If you are not yet doing a DPhil, try to gain some
+ If you are doing a DPhil, get university teaching
giving tutorials to outstanding school pupils from
disadvantaged backgrounds.
+ Start building a network around your area of interest.
Join societies related to your subject, and attend talks
network for insight into reciprocity in academia, and
+ Submit articles for publication.
+ Speak at conferences, or organise one yourself.
+
MORE INFORMATION:
www.careers.ox.ac.uk/academia
56