Transition Research Fellowship Programme 

Application Deadline:  autumn 2021. Date tbc. Enquires welcome

The Oxford BHF Centre of Research Excellence (Oxford BHF CRE) awards Intermediate and Senior Transition Fellowships to researchers with either a basic science or clinical background, and an outstanding research track record. 

The aim of the Transition Fellowship programme is to support and develop outstanding postdoctoral researchers to enable them to successfully apply for external funding opportunities, and to foster and develop future leaders in cardiovascular research.  

The expectation is that by the end of their Transition Fellowship award holders will secure a competitive peer-reviewed fellowship from the BHF or other external funding agency.

We look for individuals who have emerging independence in a field that will add value to the Oxford cardiovascular research programme, and will use these awards to build a cadre of externally-funded and highly competitive young group leaders. 

Funding for Transition Fellowships will be awarded for two years, and will cover the award holder’s salary and support for a research assistant (where relevant) along with appropriate consumables & travel costs. 

Each research group across the Oxford BHF CRE focuses on different aspects of cardiovascular science. Together they cover the translational research spectrum from basic research through to clinical and population health research.

Applications for Transition Fellowships are invited in any of our four research Themes, from either basic scientists or clinicians.

Further information about all the Oxford BHF CRE Themes and lead researchers can be found here

Further Details

This career development opportunity is open to anyone with the relevant entry requirements and track record.  The fellowship and research project have to be hosted by a cardiovascular research group at the University of Oxford and all applications require the direct support of an Oxford BHF CRE Principal Investigator/lead researcher.    

Entry requirements and track record for an Intermediate Transition Fellowship (career development)

• PhD/DPhil completed in a relevant subject.
• Basic scientists will typically have a number of years of successful postdoctoral work and first-author high-impact research papers. 
• Clinician scientists will have completed a PhD and typically will be a specialist trainee (with NTN). They are expected to have published first-author high-impact research papers.
  Discussion with an Oxford BHF CRE sponsor/PI is strongly advised regarding expected date of CCT prior to application. This is to ensure candidates will be eligible for external fellowships at Intermediate level after a 2 year BHF CRE Transition Fellowship

 Main duties: Intermediate basic science and intermediate clinical research fellowships.

• Plan, manage and conduct an agreed academic research project and associated activities. The applicant will develop the programme of cardiac research in liaison with an Oxford BHF CRE lead investigator, and other colleagues in the research group as appropriate, to ensure integration with the Oxford BHF CRE research Themes.
• Submit one or more applications to an external sponsor for independent intermediate research fellowship within two years from the appointment.

 Entry requirements and track record for a Senior Transition Fellowship

• PhD/DPhil completed in a relevant subject.
• Basic scientists will typically have a number of years of successful postdoctoral work, an established track record of research leadership and are likely to have held an Intermediate Fellowship.
• Clinicians would be expected to have 2 - 4 years of successful postdoctoral work with CCT and are likely to have held an Intermediate Fellowship or a Clinical Lectureship.

Main duties – senior basic science and senior clinical research fellowships.

• Develop and lead a programme of cardiovascular research, liaising with Oxford BHF CRE lead investigators and other colleagues in the research group as appropriate, to ensure integration with the Oxford BHF CRE research Themes.
• Submit one or more applications for independent senior research fellowship to an external sponsor within the 2 years from appointment.

 What may be included in the Fellowship award?

Fellowships are awarded for a two year duration, with possible renewal for a third year.

 Funding may include the following:

• Salary of the applicant (based on current grade / spine point)
• Research consumables directly attributable to the project
• Research equipment essential for the project
• Salary of a technician or research assistant, if required and fully justified
• Travel expenses for conference attendance/collaboration placements

How to make an application.

Please see below for links to the application system and job description, which lists key responsibilities and selection criteria. 

You will need to prepare the following documents.

• A statement of career intentions and how you meet the selection criteria for the post using examples of your skills and experience. This may include experience gained in employment, education, or during career breaks (such as time out to care for dependents). (maximum 2 pages)
• CV including publication list (maximum 4 pages)
• Main application: a research plan outlining an overview of proposed research, an explanation of how the research will enhance cardiovascular research in Oxford, a summary budget and a brief justification for the requested budget (maximum 4 pages including reference-list relevant to the proposed research project).  The research project should be developed in liaison with an Oxford BHF CRE Principal Investigator.
• A letter of support from a sponsor who is a Principal Investigator of the Oxford BHF CRE, including confirmation that they have approved research space to host the applicant. Additional letters from research collaborators may be included if directly relevant to your transition fellowship application eg confirmation of willingness to host a period of you working/training in their research group. 

You will also be asked to list two academic referees, and to indicate whether they may be contacted in advance of interview. 

Please note that final details of a fellowship award budget will be negotiated once an offer has been made.

Prospective candidates are encouraged to make informal enquiries regarding the fellowships, and enquires may be directed by email to Professor Hugh Watkins (hugh.watkins@rdm.ox.ac.uk) or Philippa Major, Research Facilitator for the Oxford BHF CRE (Philippa.major@cardiov.ox.ac.uk)

As an Equal Opportunity employer, we positively encourage applications from people of all backgrounds.