Fellow

A fellow in the broadest sense is someone who is an equal or a comrade. The term is most often used in an academic context: a fellow is (at least in theory) part of an elite group of learned men who work together as peers in the pursuit of knowledge. However, there are no precise rules for how the title is used, and each academic institution grants the title as it sees fit.

General academic use

The term "Fellow" is most often used to describe a temporary academic post. Generally, a fellow of this type has very limited teaching duties and devotes the bulk of their time to research.

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A junior research fellow is a postdoc. The position is at the same level in the academic career structure as a research associate, but whereas a research associate works on a specific project under the direction of a supervisor, a research fellow has greater freedom to work independently and choose their own projects. A research associate's salary is paid out of their supervisor's budget, whereas a research fellow is paid either from central university funds or by an outside charity.

Related Topics:
Postdoc - Research associate - Supervisor - University - Charity

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A senior research fellow is an established academic, often a Professor on sabbatical from another institution. The research fellow may or may not be granted the title of Professor by his temporary employer--if he is, he is more likely to be referred to as a research Professor.

Related Topics:
Professor - Sabbatical

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