We always welcome inquiries from those seeking Ph.D. and post-doctoral positions. Aside from our advertised posts, we are supportive of people applying for Ph.D. scholarships, post-doctoral fellowships or to arrange a shorter visit or placement. Here are some potential opportunities:
DOCTORAL SCHOLARSHIPS
For prospective Ph.D. students interested in joining OPTIM at the University of Cambridge:
- Cambridge Postgraduate Funding Search – the University’s searchable database of scholarships and studentships, with filters for course, nationality, fee status and other eligibility criteria.
- Cambridge Trust scholarships – the main University-wide route for many home and international postgraduate applicants. To be considered, apply for admission by your course funding deadline and indicate that you require funding.
- Gates Cambridge Scholarships – full-cost scholarships for outstanding applicants from outside the UK to pursue eligible postgraduate degrees at Cambridge.
- Harding Distinguished Postgraduate Scholars Programme – Cambridge Ph.D. scholarships supporting academic excellence across disciplines.
- Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program – support for eligible scholars from Africa through participating Cambridge programmes.
- Cambridge’s overview of postgraduate scholarships and funding – a useful list of the principal University, College, Department and external funding routes.
- Commonwealth Scholarships and Fellowships – opportunities for talented applicants from eligible Commonwealth countries.
- Newton Ph.D. Programme – check the current call and eligible partner countries.
- Marshall Scholarships – postgraduate funding for eligible US nationals.
Funding schemes, eligibility and deadlines change. The Cambridge Funding Search is the best place to check the current list. An academic offer does not by itself guarantee funding.
POST-DOCTORAL FELLOWSHIPS
Opportunities to apply for post-doctoral funding in OPTIM at Cambridge:
- University of Cambridge Fellowships and Funding – guidance on finding and applying for fellowships, including Cambridge and Oxford Junior Research Fellowships.
- Cambridge Postdoc Academy – support and development resources for postdoctoral researchers, including information about Cambridge fellowship programmes.
- ECRcentral funding database – a searchable database of early-career researcher funding opportunities.
- Royal Academy of Engineering Research Fellowships – for researchers within the scheme’s early-career eligibility window.
- UKRI Future Leaders Fellowships
- EPSRC Open Fellowship
- Newton International Fellowships – Royal Society fellowships for eligible researchers to conduct research in the UK.
- Marie Skłodowska-Curie Postdoctoral Fellowships – mobility fellowships for eligible researchers.
- Leverhulme Trust Early Career Fellowships
- Wellcome Early-Career Awards
- AXA Fellowships
- 1851 Research Fellowships
- Daphne Jackson Fellowships – for researchers returning to research after a career break.
- Feodor Lynen Research Fellowships
- Commonwealth Fellowships
Applicants should check each funder’s current eligibility rules and deadlines, and contact us early if a host statement or departmental support is required.