2025 Brotherton Fellowship at University of Leeds

Brotherton Fellowship at University of Leeds, United Kingdom

About the Fellowship

The Brotherton Fellowship is a prestigious short-term postdoctoral opportunity hosted by the University of Leeds, designed to promote academic research that engages with the institution’s world-renowned Special Collections. The fellowship provides early-career scholars with a unique chance to explore rare and distinctive materials across diverse disciplines such as history, literature, art, LGBTQ+ studies, archaeology, and beyond. Fellows are expected to undertake original research and contribute to increasing the visibility and academic use of the Special Collections held in the Brotherton Library. The scheme is co-led by the Leeds Arts and Humanities Research Institute and Cultural Collections and Galleries.

Fellowship / Details

Position Title: Brotherton Postdoctoral Fellow
Host Institution: University of Leeds
Administering Body / Funding Agency: Leeds Arts and Humanities Research Institute & Cultural Collections and Galleries, University of Leeds Libraries
Location: Leeds, West Yorkshire, United Kingdom
Research Field(s): Archival Studies, Special Collections Research, Heritage Studies, Art History, Manuscript Studies, Cultural Studies, Gender and Sexuality Studies, Social History, Archaeology, and more
Fellowship Type: Postdoctoral Fellowship (Short-term)
Level: Early-career researchers
Fellowship Duration: 8 weeks
Expected Start Date: autumn
Working Hours: As per institutional norms
Funding/Compensation: Includes research support and affiliation
Required Degree/Diploma: PhD

Supported Research Fields / Areas

Researchers can propose projects in any of the following subject or collection areas:

Humanities
Social Sciences
Arts and Literature
History and Archaeology
Music and Theatre
Politics and Social History
Religion and Theology
Geography and Travel Studies
Regional Studies (Yorkshire Focus)
Rare Books and Manuscripts
Archives and Special Collections
Interdisciplinary and Innovative Academic Projects

Eligibility & Qualifications

Minimum Requirements:

A completed PhD in a relevant field by the time of application
A research proposal that necessitates direct engagement with the Special Collections at Leeds
Open to scholars of any nationality

Preferred Qualifications:

Archival or curatorial research experience
Evidence of previous academic or public engagement outputs
Strong interest in working with rare books, manuscripts, and special collections

Not Eligible:

Current PhD candidates (students who haven’t completed their doctorate)
Research projects not using Leeds’s Special Collections

Fellowship/Job Benefits

Research Affiliation: University of Leeds, access to Special Collections
Institutional Support: Curatorial and academic assistance
Workspace and Library Access
Opportunity to join Leeds’s vibrant research community
Engagement and dissemination support
Stipend or honorarium: Details will be published in the official 2025 call

Key Responsibilities

Conduct original research using one or more of Leeds’s Special Collections
Contribute to the visibility and scholarly use of the materials
Produce research outputs such as blog posts, articles, public talks, exhibitions, or workshops
Engage with relevant university departments, students, and staff
Collaborate on dissemination and outreach activities when appropriate

Application Process

How to Apply

Applications are submitted online via the University of Leeds application system. The official application portal will open in Spring 2025, and applicants should review the available catalogue of Special Collections prior to submission.

Required Documents:

Application form (available with official call)
Curriculum Vitae
Research proposal (detailing the project’s scope, methodology, and relation to the collection)
Two academic reference letters
Optional: Sample of relevant academic work