Postdoctoral and Research Fellowships
The School of the Arts has a diverse community of postdoctoral fellows who contribute to our dynamic research environment. We welcome enquiries and applications from potential postdoctoral fellows which can be directed to sta-research@qmul.ac.uk.
British Academy Postdoctoral Fellowships
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.
For information on eligibility and application details please see the British Academy website for details: www.thebritishacademy.ac.uk/funding/postdoctoral-fellowships/
You can read about the research of our current BA Postdoctoral Fellow, Dr Jiří Anger, here.
Leverhulme Trust Early Career Fellowships
We are not currently inviting applications to the 2026 round of this scheme.
Our current Leverhulme Early Career Fellows are Dr Peter Budrin, Dr Gemma Tidman and Dr Nikolaus Perneczky.
Marie Skłodowska-Curie Postdoctoral Fellowships
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.
UKRI Future Leaders Fellowship
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:
Wellcome Trust Early Career Awards
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.