Research Fellow
Universities in national bargaining pay on the higher education single pay spine, with yearly awards negotiated through UCEA; each university sets its own grades on that spine. A Research Fellow is usually on the Research Fellow scale, which runs from £39,906 to £44,746 (rates from 1/8/2025).
All figures are illustrative. Use your contract, payslip or employer for definitive amounts.
Sector context
Research Fellow roles within Higher Education sit in the Education part of the UK public sector. Pay, leave and family leave terms are usually shaped by national or sector frameworks, then applied by your employer. The calculators below use illustrative data for this role; your contract and local policies always take precedence.
How pay works in higher education
Universities typically use the national pay spine (JNCHES) or institutional scales. Academic grades (for example Lecturer, Senior Lecturer, Reader, Professor) and professional services grades have separate ranges. Progression may link to appraisal, research and teaching contribution. Institutional pay awards vary year to year. Check your university HR for your grade and spine point.
For Research Fellow, our dataset typically maps this role to Research Fellow on Higher Education pay (UK national spine). Your actual grade may differ; check your contract.
About this role
Find out more about the Research Fellow role within Higher Education and whether it would be the right role for you.
What is a Research Fellow?
A Research Fellow conducts research, often on fixed-term contracts, in a university or institute. They may teach. Pay is on the HE research or academic spine.
Typical demands, progression and balance
Research fellowship offers focus on research and collaboration. Pay and conditions depend on grant and institution. Progression to permanent lecturer or senior fellow is common.
Progression and pay
Fellow → Senior Fellow or Lecturer. Use the calculators on this page to model pay on the HE spine.
Calculators for this role
Browse our career-focused calculators for those who work as a Research Fellow, covering pay progression, promotion paths, take-home pay, working patterns, leave, allowances and more. Click the calculators below to get started.
Common questions
Which calculators should I use first for Research Fellow?
Start with pay progression to see how Research Fellow pay could move over time. If you are weighing promotion, try career decisions. For part-time or reduced hours, use work patterns. Take-home pay, annual leave, sick pay and maternity calculators help with day-to-day planning.
Does Higher Education pay exactly like the national framework?
Often yes for base pay and leave, but employers can have local agreements, spot salaries, market supplements or academy freedoms. Use these tools to understand typical structures, then confirm anything material with your employer.
Can I plan part-time working as Research Fellow?
Yes. Use the part-time or reduced hours calculator for your role, then follow the part-time planning journey to link allowances, leave and take-home pay with the same band and FTE saved in your browser.
Where can I read longer guides on pay and leave?
Open Guides in the site menu for in-depth articles on AfC, teachers' pay, FTE, sick pay, maternity and more, with links back to role calculators like this page.
In-depth guides
Longer articles on pay frameworks, FTE, leave and career planning for your sector.