Oxbridge Summer Scholars (OSS) runs two-week residential summer and winter programmes in Oxford and Cambridge colleges for students aged 14 to 18. Students explore their chosen stream, build university-study skills and experience Oxbridge life through rigorous lectures, seminars and tutorials. Each student writes an essay and receives detailed individual feedback from a subject specialist; the strongest essays earn Excellence Awards.

Role Purpose

We are seeking a Medical & Biological Sciences Academic Consultant to join our team. This is a subject-matter specialist who provides expert academic input into the OSS Science, Innovation & Technology Stream. This stream focuses specifically on Biology, Chemistry, Medicine and Psychology.

Working alongside the Academic Curriculum Manager and Head of Programme, the Consultant supports the development, review and continuous improvement of Stream content. The Consultant does not own curriculum development; their role is to provide specialist expertise, quality assurance and assessment support to ensure that the programme reflects appropriate academic standards, current developments in the field and expectations relevant to pre-university study.

A key responsibility is to assess student essays and provide detailed, individualised academic feedback, contributing to both the educational value of the programme and the quality of the student experience.

Engagement

Location: Fully remote. No travel to Oxford or Cambridge is required.

Outside programme dates: Up to 10 hours per week, on an on-demand basis, depending on programme development requirements.
During programme dates and the following week: Up to 30 hours in total, primarily dedicated to student essay assessment and feedback. Essay submission deadlines and expected workload will be communicated in advance.

OSS Programme Dates for 2026/27

December 6-19, 2026
July 4-17, 2027
July 18-31, 2027
August 1-14, 2027

Responsibilities

1. Subject-Matter Consultation & Content Development

Provide expert advice to the Academic Curriculum Manager and Head of Programme on the academic content of the Medical & Biological Sciences Stream.
Advise on appropriate topics, concepts, research, case studies and current developments across areas such as medicine, biology, chemistry, psychology and related disciplines.
Recommend subject-specific approaches and academic skills that would be valuable for students preparing for university-level study.
Review proposed content and suggest improvements where specialist expertise would strengthen the programme.

2. Academic Quality Assurance

Review selected lectures, seminars, tutorials, learning materials and other academic content from a subject-specialist perspective.
Check content for academic accuracy, relevance, appropriate depth and level.
Identify gaps, inaccuracies or areas requiring clarification or further development.
Support the Academic Curriculum Manager and Head of Programme in maintaining a high and consistent academic standard across the Stream.

3. Essay & Assessment Framework

Provide subject-specific input into the development of essay questions and prompts.
Advise on the academic skills and competencies students should demonstrate, including scientific reasoning, critical analysis, interpretation of evidence and application of subject knowledge.
Contribute to Stream-specific assessment criteria and feedback guidelines.
Help establish a clear standard for strong pre-university academic work within the Stream.

4. Essay Assessment & Individualised Feedback

Assess student essays according to the agreed Stream-specific criteria.
Within 24 hours of the essay submission deadline (2pm on Wednesday of the second week for each programme), review all essays and nominate those that merit an Excellence Award. Expected workload will be communicated in advance.
Provide detailed, constructive and individualised written feedback, highlighting strengths, areas for development and practical recommendations for improvement. Return this within five working days of the programme finishing.
Maintain consistency in applying the agreed assessment criteria across students and programme intakes.

For example, our first July programme next year runs 4-17 July 2027. Students must submit their essay by 2pm (UK time) on Wednesday 14 July. Consultants complete a first review of essays, nominating those that merit an Excellence Award, by 2pm on Thursday 15 July. Their full written feedback for each essay is due by 5pm Friday 23 July.

5. Programme Improvement & Collaboration

Identify recurring strengths, challenges or learning needs emerging from student work and share relevant observations with the Academic Curriculum Manager.
Collaborate with Academic Consultants from other Streams to improve OSS's overall essay assessment and feedback process.
Contribute subject-specific recommendations to the continuous improvement of the Programme.

What we’re looking for

Essential

A degree in a relevant discipline at Master’s level or above, either currently being undertaken or completed, or confirmed acceptance onto a relevant Master’s programme.
Deep subject knowledge in at least one area covered by the stream, with a broad grasp of adjacent areas.
Excellent written communication, with the ability to give detailed, individual feedback that is encouraging but honest.

Desirable

Experience teaching, lecturing, supervising or assessing students at university or sixth-form level.
Experience marking written work against set criteria and giving clear, constructive feedback.
Active research, publications or industry experience that brings real-world perspective to the stream.