Postdoctoral and Research Fellowships

The School of the Arts, Queen Mary University of London, is now inviting expressions of interest from postdoctoral researchers considering making an application for the 2026/27 British Academy Postdoctoral Fellowship competition. These fellowships enable early career researchers in the humanities or social sciences to pursue an independent research project, towards the completion of a significant piece of publishable research, and are tenable for three years. You can read about the research of our current BA Postdoctoral Fellow, Dr Jiří Anger, here.

For information on eligibility and application details please see the British Academy website for details: www.thebritishacademy.ac.uk/funding/postdoctoral-fellowships/

How to apply

Candidates interested in applying for a fellowship based at the School of the Arts should submit an Expression of Interest to sta-research@qmul.ac.uk by 17 July 2026, including the following:

•    an explanation of the reasons for your choice of the School and Queen Mary as your host institution which should include a proposed mentor (150 words maximum)
•    an outline of your proposed programme of research (1,500 words maximum) including consideration of method, sources, and significance
•    your planned research outputs, e.g. monograph, journal article(s), book chapter(s), digital resources, events (workshops, conferences), other (please specify) (300 words maximum)
•    a list of existing publications (1 page maximum)
•    a CV (2 pages maximum)
•    a draft sample of writing, either published or accepted for publication (article or book chapter length).
Your application should demonstrate:
•    that you are eligible according to the BA’s criteria
•    the excellence of your research track record and professional track record (where relevant);
•    your fit with the School and relevant links to the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences

Applications will be considered in an internal selection process and candidates notified by 14 August 2026.

Successful applicants will then have approximately six weeks to finalise their outline application, ahead of the BA's deadline of 30 September 2026. Candidates will also be invited to attend an orientation session run by the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences about the final stages of the application. This will take place w/c 1 September 2026.

We are not currently inviting applications to the 2026 round of this scheme.

The School of the Arts welcomes Expressions of Interest from top talented, eligible postdoctoral  researchers who demonstrate independence and excellent track record to apply with a QMUL host PI  supervisor to the MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships (2026) call. 

What does the Fellowship entail? 

European Fellowships comprise a personalised, well-structured and feasible research and integrated training project with optional secondment for a 12 - 24-month fellowship. It must show a ‘best fit’ between your and PI supervisor’s expertise, two-way knowledge transfer, research outcomes and wider impacts and to enhance employability. 

It offers a highly competitive salary and research/training/networking budget based on EC set allowances. 

Researcher eligibility 

• Any age and nationality – your main activity (work/studies) must not have been in the UK for more than 12 months in the last 36 months prior to the EC MSCA PF call deadline of 09 September 2026.  

• Have a PhD at the date of the EC call deadline.  

• Have a maximum of eight years full-time research experience from the date of PhD. Years outside research and documented leave periods will not be taken into account.  

Research Areas 

The School of the Arts welcomes Expressions of Interest (EOI) within the following research areas: 

• Drama and Performing Arts. 

• English Language and Literature. 

• Film and Screen Studies. 

• Linguistics. 

• Modern Languages. 

How to Apply 

Your EOI must be submitted to sta-research@qmul.ac.uk by Friday, 22 May 2026 at noon. 

Your EOI must include:  

1) CV, including a full list of publications and justification of contribution to research achievements (max. two pages). 

2) Two page outline of your research proposal and career goals (how your research is original and innovative and feasible and potential outputs and impact and how it will advance your career). And how you will transfer your know-how to the research profile of the School. 

3)   A statement confirming how you meet the MSCA-2026-PF eligibility criteria.  

EOI Results will likely be announced in mid-late June. Selected candidates will then prepare the EC proposal with matched PI supervisor using EC guidance and templates supported by QMUL IRI EU pre award who provide additional guidance materials and application technical support. 

QMUL was awarded nearly 70 Horizon 2020 individual fellowships and ranked 9th in the UK and 18th in Europe for H2020 fellowships and hosts over 40 successfully evaluated Horizon Europe post doc fellowships. 

EC Funding Deadline 

The EC MSCA-PF (2026) deadline is 9 September 2026.  

From 1 January 2024, the UK is an Associated Country in Horizon Europe and eligible for EC funding. See also the  EC Funding portal and MSCA info pages. 

 

The aim of the scheme is to develop the next wave of world-class research and innovation leaders in academia and business. It is also open to international applicants looking to take up a role at a UK-based organisation.

You can apply for funding over four years both to tackle ambitious and challenging research and innovation and to develop your career. Funding can be extended for up to a further three years to support long-term focus on a particular area of research or innovation and continued career development.

You can receive funding for work in all research and innovation areas supported by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI).

For more information including application deadlines and requirements please see the UKRI FLF website.

 

This scheme provides funding for early-career researchers from any discipline who are ready to develop their research identity. Through innovative projects, they will deliver shifts in understanding that could improve human life, health and wellbeing. By the end of the award, they will be ready to lead their own independent research programme. 

Please find further details on this website.