Senior Research Fellow (Control Engineering) Closing date: Oct 19, 2026

University of Oxford, Department of Engineering Science; Oxford; On-site; GBP 57,000 - 73,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Oxford, Department of Engineering Science, invites applications for a full-time Senior Research Fellow in Control Engineering. The appointee will drive original research, supervise graduate students, and contribute to an expanding MSc in AI for Engineering Biology.

A doctorate with substantial post-qualification experience is required, with the ability to secure external funding and lead a research group. The role is based in Keble Road Triangle (OX1 3PJ).

Qualifications

• Doctoral degree in a relevant field with significant post-qualification research experience.
• Strong track record in control engineering research and publications.

Responsibilities

• Conduct original research in Control Engineering and related applications.
• Secure external funding to enable a new independent research program.
• Contribute to teaching at undergraduate and graduate levels, including lectures and supervision of Masters/Doctoral students.
• Lead and manage a research group, setting objectives and overseeing team members.

Skills

Control theory

Research leadership

Teaching

Education

Doctorate degree

Job description

United Kingdom

ENGINEERING SCI

Careers

Senior Research Fellow (Control Engineering)

Salary

£56,623 to £73,296 per annum

Closing date

Oct 19, 2026 12:00PM

Description

The Department of Engineering Science intends to appoint a full time Senior Research Fellow (SRF) in Control Engineering, from 1 January 2027, or as soon as possible thereafter. This is a permanent academic post, based in the Keble Road Triangle (OX1 3PJ). There is a procedure to apply for title of Associate Professor (under the MPLS Procedure for Conferment of Title ) and to apply for the title of Full Professor in due course.

This appointment will strengthen the Department’s research in Control Engineering. The group’s current expertise includes, on the theory end, optimal, data-based, robust and model predictive control as well as large-scale, embedded, robust and distributed optimisation and polynomial/sum of squares methods; while applications span biology, battery/energy management systems, transportation, aerospace manufacturing systems, and agriculture. Candidates with research interests that align with or fall outside of the above areas are equally welcome.

The successful candidate will be expected to conduct original research in Control Engineering and its applications. They will hold a doctorate with significant post-qualification research experience in Control Engineering or a similar field. They will also be expected to contribute to the department’s research portfolio in control engineering, obtaining external funding to enable development of a new and independent research program. Applications are sought from across the Control Engineering discipline, either being complementarity to existing activities, or bringing a new research dimension to the Control Group.

The successful candidate will also assist in the teaching of their subject at the undergraduate and graduate level. This will include lectures, practical classes, demonstrations and design and project work. The subjects are expected to be in the general field of Control Engineering, Mathematics, and other areas of engineering, depending on the interests of the appointee. The department is developing a new MSc in Artificial Intelligence for Engineering Biology, and the successful candidate will be able to contribute to current and emerging areas of knowledge that are relevant and important to the theory and algorithms aspects of this MSc, as well as to the MSc's operation. Graduate teaching will also involve supervision of Masters and Doctoral students.

They will report to the Head of Department and act as the leader of their research group, setting clear task objectives, developing productive working relations and line-managing the members of the team.

Job Description

To make an application, you will need to submit a supporting statement, a CV (including details of your most relevant publications) and a research proposal in a combined PDF totaling no more than 6 pages. You should not submit a separate cover letter, but if you do, it will be counted within the 6-page limit. Please do not attach additional material as your application will not be considered if it is overlength. Further details on the requirements for each of these documents can be found in the job description which can be obtained here:

https://my.corehr.com/pls/uoxrecruit/erq_jobspec_details_form.jobspec?p_id=188322

The job reference is: DF26SRFC/188322. Please quote this in all correspondence. The closing date for applications is 12:00 noon on Monday 19 October 2026. Initial online interviews are expected to take place in December with in-person interviews for shortlisted candidates in January.

For those invited to in-person interview, the department can provide accommodation and will cover reasonable travel expenses and reasonable additional caring costs incurred as a result of attending the interview (within agreed policy limits).

For queries about the post that are not answered in the job description please contact the Department on [e-mail].

Applications are particularly welcome from women and black and minority ethnic candidates who are under-represented in academic posts in Oxford. The Department is committed to equality and valuing diversity and holds an Athena Swan Bronze award, highlighting its commitment to promoting gender equality in academia. The University is a Living Wage Employer, holds an Athena Swan Silver Award, an HR Excellence in Research and a Race Equality Charter Bronze Award and is a Stonewall Diversity Champion. Our staff and students come from all over the world, and we seek to create a friendly and inclusive culture. Diversity is positively encouraged, through our EDI Committee, working groups and networks, for example eng.ox.ac.uk/women-in-engineering, as well as a number of family friendly policies.

Contact name

Academic Recruitment Team

Contact email

[e-mail]