2026 Fellowship
We are pleased to announce the fourth cycle of the OCPL Fellowship. The primary purpose of the fellowship is to amplify fellows’ existing work and expertise, help them create rigorous academic and policy outputs, connect them to key stakeholders, and increase their literacy on pressing problems at the intersection of US-China relations and artificial intelligence (AI) and other emerging technologies. We aim to build a cohort spanning a range of disciplines, backgrounds, and perspectives. The role offers access to an internal fellowship community, a broad network of experts and alumni, potential publication opportunities, and the opportunity to research cutting-edge topics with real world impact.
The fellowship aims to support and empower impact-driven researchers working on issues surrounding the US-China relationship and its impact on the rest of the world. For the 2026 cohort, we are recruiting fellows to conduct research in one of three overarching categories:
International, national, and community-level risks arising from US-China technology competition;
Domestic and foreign technology policy of the US, China, and/or relevant third countries, including approaches to AI governance;
Technological dependencies between the US, China, and third countries, and their economic, diplomatic, and political implications.
Apply Here
Role: Research Fellow
Commitment:
In-person seminar: Two-week intensive, Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM, on April 13–24 (during the vacation between Hilary 2026 and Trinity 2026 terms).
Asynchronous work: Up to 10 hours per week during the Trinity 2026 term. Note that there may be intermittent in-person expectations in Oxford during the Trinity 2026 term which will be communicated in advance.
Compensation: £3,000 research allowance, with additional professional development and other internal funding opportunities.
Location: Oxford, UK
Application Timeline: Applications due by November 15, 2026 (midnight GMT).
Role Description: OCPL seeks to appoint a cohort of fellows who are motivated to produce world-class, high-impact research, bridge academic-policy divides in both US-China relations and AI development and governance, and contribute to a community of like-minded professionals. Fellows will have access to internal workshops and seminars, including guest speakers, policy engagement training, and feedback on research through internal presentations and conferences. Fellows will also have access to OCPL networking opportunities, as well as financial support for their research activities. Fellow attendance will be mandatory for a majority of the events.
Qualifications:
Current Oxford postdoctoral, doctoral, or masters student, or a UK-based researcher with graduate-level education that is in-progress or complete.
Must be already located in Oxford for logistical purposes. Please note that we cannot sponsor visas to the UK for participation in the fellowship.
Who Might Thrive In This Role:
Possesses excellent judgment.
Committed to intellectual rigor and using research to make a positive impact on the world.
Clear written and verbal communicator.
Has concrete expertise (through professional and/or academic experience) in one or more of the following: international relations and political science, China studies, Internet studies, data science, economics, development studies, sociology, computer science, public policy, business.
Holds methodological research skills in either quantitative or qualitative analysis.
Holds a command of relevant academic literature, as well as current events.
Additional useful (but not strictly necessary) skills:
Language skills, especially Mandarin Chinese.
Deep area studies expertise in the Chinese-speaking world and/or other regions relevant to the applicant’s planned research.
Technical skills in computer science, robotics, quantum technologies, or related technology areas.
Experience publishing in policy-oriented outlets or academic journals (though not at all expected).
We Offer:
Financial support for research activities
Exposure to policy practitioners and leading academics in the field
Top-tier networking opportunities
Publication opportunities and support
Local travel expense coverage
Training on: US-China relations, AI and emerging technology developments and policy, professional communications, and research skills.
Please submit your application materials here.