Progression from Research Fellow to Senior Research Fellow

If you are considering applying for progression, the first step in the process is to discuss this with your line manager, as this will enable you to:

• Seek feedback on performance.
• Gain ideas on how to approach an application.
• Discuss and gather examples that may best evidence your performance.
• Reflect on the experience of others and how they have progressed at Oxford Brookes.
• Consider the expectations associated with the Education and Research pathway or Education, Knowledge Exchange and Professional Practice pathway, according to the pathway you expect to follow, and what that means for your activities and development now.

If you are not quite ready to take the next step in your career journey, your line manager will be able to offer support, discuss potential development opportunities with you, and help you to further develop your skills.

Our resources section below provides further guidance to help you with your career development. 

The Research Progression Panel are looking to explore your contribution in the following areas:

1. High quality research outputs 
2. Attracting research funding
3. External engagement and impact of research
4. Leadership of others in the field of research

These topics and questions are based on the responsibilities and requirements detailed within the Academic Career Pathways Framework (ACP framework) and the Senior Research Fellow role profile.

You apply via an application form, which contains questions designed to draw out your relevant competencies and experience.

Applications should include evidence that exemplifies your performance and the progress you have made towards the level of working expected of a Senior Research Fellow.

You are not expected to demonstrate performance at a Senior Research Fellow level across all criteria. We acknowledge that there may be a variation in the balance of achievements arising from the varied specialisms of colleagues at the University.

Applicants should provide:

• An up to date CV that is no longer than 8 pages, uses at least a 10pt font and contains normal margins. Your CV should not contain website links. 
• A completed progression to Senior Research Fellow application form (Brookes login required). Responses are limited to 300 words per question.

Your completed application form and CV should be sent to your Head of School so they can complete a statement to accompany your application. Please therefore ensure that you:

• Confirm any internal School timescales or deadlines for the provision of information to the Head of School.
• Leave enough time for this step of the process (the final deadline for submission to the People Directorate is 18 September 2026).

Responses to each question should not exceed 300 words. It is therefore important to carefully select the examples you wish to discuss, and to be as concise as possible.

You may wish to discuss some/all of the following points in each area below (depending on your role/ research focus) as part of your responses:

• High quality research outputs:
  • High quality, peer reviewed outputs that demonstrate your contribution to the discipline or area of professional practice
  • Recognition of your research on a national and, if applicable, emerging international basis including aspects of knowledge exchange where appropriate 
  • Contributing to development, implementation or leadership of the departmental research strategy

• Attracting research funding:
  • A successful record of securing external funding
  • Participating in or leading peer reviewed funding bids which develop and sustain research support for the specialist are

• External engagement:
  • Developing links with external contacts, organisations and professional bodies to foster collaboration
  • Membership of external boards and organisations both nationally and internationally. 
  • Expertise provided to external boards and organisations.

• Leadership of others in the Field of Research:
  • Taking a leadership role within research project teams
  • Coaching / mentoring junior staff
  • Supervising PHD students

Heads of School are asked to complete the supporting statement section of the application form,  providing a clear rationale and evidence as to whether the applicant should progress to Senior Research Fellow. Heads of School should consult with the line manager or Principle Investigator where appropriate.

A discussion should take place with line managers prior to writing the statement to confirm whether PDR/PDC objectives have been met, and gather further information that will feed into the statement, for example, in relation to research outputs, skills and performance.

Applications and supporting statements should be submitted to payandreward@brookes.ac.uk by 18 September 2026. 

If you have any questions, please contact our Reward and Progression Manager at payandreward@brookes.ac.uk.

The panel will be chaired by the Chief People Officer or Deputy Director, People Operations and will include one Dean of Research from each Faculty.

The information provided will be reviewed by the Senior Research Fellow Progression Panel, against the role profile and job description for this role, to assess performance and progress made towards the required level of working.

You are not expected to demonstrate performance at a Senior Research Fellow level across all criteria.  

Outcomes will be provided during October. Progression to Senior Research Fellow at grade 10 will apply from 1 September, as will the new incremental progression date.

If the panel does not recommend progression to Senior Research Fellow, feedback will be provided to support you with your development and any future applications.

Colleagues may appeal the outcome of their application for progression to Senior Research Fellow if there is evidence of procedural irregularity or discrimination i.e. the way in which the application was considered led to a decision that was not reasonable in the circumstances.

The panel will not consider any new evidence to further support the initial application for progression to Senior Research Fellow. 

Colleagues wishing to appeal must meet the following criteria:

• The unsuccessful application was submitted as part of the most recent set of applications for progression.
• Panel feedback has been discussed with line management, the Head of School and a member of the Senior Research Fellow Progression Panel.
• Colleagues are able to provide evidence that the process applied led to an incorrect decision.

To appeal, colleagues must complete the Senior Research Fellow Progression Appeal Form (this will be made available in September), clearly detailing:

• The reason for appeal.
• Evidence to support the appeal, including evidence of the procedural irregularity or discrimination that led to an unreasonable outcome. 

The Appeal Form must be submitted by email to the Reward and Progression Manager within 14 calendar days of the date of the letter giving the decision of the Senior Research Fellow Progression Panel.