British Academy Postdoc Fellowship 2026 – Birmingham

About the Fellowship

The British Academy Postdoctoral Fellowships hosted by the College of Arts and Law at the University of Birmingham offer an exceptional opportunity for early-career researchers in the humanities and social sciences. This prestigious three-year fellowship is designed to support scholars in completing a major piece of publishable research while enhancing their academic profile within their discipline and across the wider academic landscape. The University of Birmingham’s world-class research environment, interdisciplinary collaboration, and state-of-the-art facilities provide an ideal foundation to conduct original, impactful research aligned with both national priorities and global challenges. The fellowship fosters intellectual development, mentorship, and integration into one of the UK’s leading academic institutions.

Fellowship / Details

Position Title: British Academy Postdoctoral Fellowship
Host Institution: University of Birmingham – College of Arts and Law
Administering Body / Funding Agency: The British Academy
Location: Birmingham, United Kingdom
Research Field(s): Arts, Humanities, Social Sciences
Fellowship Type: Full-time Postdoctoral Fellowship
Level: Early-career
Fellowship Duration: 3 years
Expected Start Date: Autumn 2026
Working Hours: Full-time (as per institutional norms)
Funding/Compensation: Salary funded by the British Academy (specific salary not stated)
Required Degree/Diploma: Doctoral degree (PhD or equivalent)

Supported Research Fields / Areas

Eligible fields include but are not limited to:

Law
English, Drama, and Creative Studies
History and Cultures
Languages, Cultures, Art History and Music
Philosophy, Theology, and Religion
Interdisciplinary research across arts and humanities

Eligibility & Qualifications

Minimum Requirements:

Doctorate awarded or viva voce completed by 1 April 2026
Viva voce not held earlier than 1 April 2023
No permanent academic appointment held
UK/EEA national or PhD completed at a UK university or strong UK academic affiliation
First-time applicant to the British Academy Postdoctoral Fellowship

Preferred Qualifications:

Strong, well-defined research proposal
Alignment with research strengths of the University of Birmingham
Endorsement by an academic mentor at the host institution

Not Eligible:

Candidates who have previously applied for this fellowship
Candidates who completed their viva before 1 April 2023
Those who already hold permanent academic roles

Fellowship/Job Benefits

Salary: Funded by the British Academy (based on scheme’s terms)
Research mentorship by a University of Birmingham academic
Access to cutting-edge research facilities including the Barber Institute, digital humanities labs, and archival resources
Institutional support for proposal development and career advancement
Inclusive and diverse research environment
Access to interdisciplinary collaborations across five academic Schools

Key Responsibilities

Conduct independent, original research aligned with the proposed project
Produce a major publishable research output
Collaborate with academic mentors and the host department
Engage with the wider research community
Contribute to the academic profile and research activities of the College

Application Process

How to Apply

Applicants must submit an expression of interest via email to Samantha Taylor, Research Support Officer, at s.l.taylor.1@bham.ac.uk

Required Documents:

Project proposal (maximum 2 A4 pages)
Academic CV (maximum 2 A4 pages)
300-word statement on why Birmingham is a suitable host institution
Name and confirmation of an academic mentor at Birmingham
Name of proposed referee

Incomplete expressions of interest will not be considered.

Important Dates

Application Opens: 19 June 2025
Deadline to Submit Expression of Interest: 18 July 2025, 4:00 PM (UK time)
Final Application to British Academy Deadline: 1 October 2025, 5:00 PM (UK time)
Fellowship Start Date: Autumn 2026