Since 2023, St John's College has offered a limited number of Career Development Research Fellowships to early career researchers nearing or having recently completed their doctorate.

These fixed-term fellowships, tenable for four years, provide an outstanding opportunity to establish a research profile as a member of a collegiate community. Whilst the postholder is expected to undertake a small amount of teaching for the college (equivalent to 0.1 FTE), the principal focus of the fellowship is the postholder's individual research. CDRFs are expected to propose, plan and manage a high-quality programme of original research; publicise the outcomes of that research through presentation of papers and publications; and engage in the life and activities of the college.

" CDRFs are a fabulous way for researchers to become fully integrated in all aspects of St John’s College. These prestigious fellowships recognise research excellence and provide protected time and a fabulous opportunity to enable fellows to address ambitious research questions. It is exciting to see the vibrant and growing community of CDRFs in College " Professor R. Slater (Fellow for Early Career Researchers & Lecturers