The University of Manchester has been celebrating 200 years of achievement in research-driven learning, development and innovation: this has included investing in our prestigious Bicentenary PhD Studentships and Fellowships. The scheme represents a major University investment of £28 million to recruit and fund more than 200 early-career researchers between 2025/26 and 2026/27.
As a Bicentenary Research Fellow, you will contribute to the ongoing success of our university and the next two centuries of research excellence. We particularly welcome approaches that foster interdisciplinary research (a priority within our strategic plan) and build on our strengths to address major challenges across key themes.
The Faculty of Humanities is pleased to offer up to 15 Bicentenary Research Fellowships (3 years duration) for outstanding postdoctoral researchers within 3 years of their PhD. Fellows will need to work with a named mentor / mentoring team and address one or more of the University research priorities (From Manchester for the world, our strategy to 2035 | The University of Manchester).
Applications will be judged principally on the excellence, originality, significance, and feasibility of the research proposal as described; on the level of candidate’s research quality and potential; and lastly on the fit with the University’s thematic research priorities and strategic goals (From Manchester for the world, our strategy to 2035 | The University of Manchester). Candidates are advised to pay particular attention to ensuring that there is a clear link between the length of Fellowship and the research proposal.
A condition of the Fellowship is that fellows take part in annual networking and cohort development activities for Fellows. A detailed project report, submitted to the departmental mentoring team must be completed annually and at the end of the Fellowship.
Candidates are required to discuss and develop their applications with the relevant or preferred Discipline Area or Research Institute/Centre before submission, to ensure a good fit with the school research priorities.
How To Apply
Please complete the electronic application form via the University’s electronic recruitment system.
You will be asked to indicate the School and Department most appropriate to host your research along with the relevant UoM institute or platforms which you see your proposed research connecting to. Please indicate only one primary School and Department.
Please ensure that you fully complete all sections of the application form. Please upload a two-page CV. This will be used for reference but please note that anything not detailed in the application form will not be used to assess your application.
As part of the application, you will need to submit a research proposal. This will be submitted via the electronic application form and so you are advised to work on the proposal on a separate document and copy into the relevant sections of the application form. Please do not upload a separate copy of your research proposal – only the information supplied in the form will be used in the assessment of your application. Your research proposal should be no more than 2,250 words (including references) and should be relevant to the overall research plans of your nominated academic centre (i.e. School and department or institute). Your proposal must clearly identify your nominated host school and department or institute and the name of a proposed mentor/mentoring team. Your proposal should also provide a short statement outlining what steps you will take to engage with areas outside of the immediate academic community. Further advice and guidance on research impact and ‘pathways to impact’ can be found here https://www.ukri.org/councils/esrc/impact-toolkit-for-economic-and-social-sciences/.
Your proposal will be assessed by non-experts in your field. Please bear this in mind when witing your proposal.
You will also need to upload a signed statement of support from your primary mentor. Please ask your mentor to complete this on the ‘Supporting Statement Form’ which can be downloaded from the advert page. Only one statement is required. Please do not upload any other documents as these will not be used in the assessment of your application.
For questions relating to Humanities Research Fellowships, please see the list of Frequently Asked Questions (https://documents.manchester.ac.uk/DocuInfo.aspx?DocID=46192)
Why Manchester
The Faculty of Humanities
The Faculty of Humanities (https://www.humanities.manchester.ac.uk) is home to over 1,000 academics and research staff plus over 1,000 PGR students engaged in research (https://www.humanities.manchester.ac.uk/research/). We have a reputation for the quality and impact of our research work.
Our REF submission and positive outcomes from REF2021 (https://www.humanities.manchester.ac.uk/research/) demonstrate the remarkable breadth and quality of our scholarly activity.
With a strong focus on collaborations, Humanities' research crosses a range of disciplines. We have a range of flagship institutes, centres and networks (https://www.humanities.manchester.ac.uk/research/centres-institutes/), and our research is based within departments or divisions our four Schools (https://www.humanities.manchester.ac.uk/about/schools/) :
What you will get in return:
As an equal opportunities employer we welcome applicants from all sections of the community regardless of age, sex, gender (or gender identity), ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation and transgender status. All appointments are made on merit.
Our University is positive about flexible working – you can find out more here
Hybrid working arrangements may be considered.
Please be aware that due to the number of applications we unfortunately may not able to provide individual feedback on your application.
Please note that we are unable to respond to enquiries, accept CVs or applications from Recruitment Agencies.
Any recruitment enquiries from recruitment agencies should be directed to People.Recruitment@manchester.ac.uk.
Any CV’s submitted by a recruitment agency will be considered a gift.
Enquiries about the vacancy, shortlisting and interviews:
Name: Lorna Bryant
Email: HUMS.researchfellowships@manchester.ac.uk
General enquiries:
Email: People.recruitment@manchester.ac.uk
Technical support:
0161 850 2004 https://jobseekersupport.jobtrain.co.uk/support/home
This vacancy will close for applications at midnight on the closing date.
Please see the link below for the Further Particulars document which contains the person specification criteria.
