Bicentenary Research Fellowships in Humanities University of Manchester The University of Manchester invites applications for the Bicentenary Research Fellowships in Humanities, a prestigious opportunity for outstanding early-career researchers to contribute to world-leading research within one of the UK’s top-ranked universities. These fellowships form part of the University’s bicentenary celebrations and reflect a significant institutional investment in research excellence, interdisciplinary collaboration, and global impact. Fellowship Overview Job Title: Bicentenary Research Fellowships in Humanities Job Reference: HUM-030375 Faculty: Humanities Location: Oxford Road, Manchester Employment Type: Fixed-term, Full-time Contract Duration: 1 October 2026 – 30 September 2029 (3 years) Salary: £42,254 – £51,753 per annum (depending on experience) Closing Date: 16 January 2026 The Faculty of Humanities will appoint up to 15 Research Fellows for this three-year programme. About the Bicentenary Fellowship Scheme As part of its 200-year legacy of research-led learning and innovation, the University of Manchester has committed £28 million to recruit and support more than 200 early-career researchers through Bicentenary PhD Studentships and Fellowships between 2025/26 and 2026/27. Bicentenary Research Fellows will play a key role in shaping the University’s future research agenda while contributing to its long-term strategy, “From Manchester, for the world: Our strategy to 2035.” The scheme particularly encourages interdisciplinary research and projects that address major global, societal, and environmental challenges. Role and Expectations Bicentenary Research Fellows are expected to: Conduct high-quality, original, and impactful research aligned with University priorities Work closely with a named mentor or mentoring team within their host School, Department, or Research Institute Participate in annual cohort development and networking activities Submit annual project reports to the departmental mentoring team, including a final report at the end of the fellowship Actively engage with audiences beyond academia and demonstrate pathways to research impact Eligibility Criteria Applicants must: Be outstanding postdoctoral researchers within three years of completing their PhD at the start of the fellowship Propose a research project that aligns with one or more of the University’s thematic research priorities Secure agreement from a host School, Department, or Research Institute/Centre prior to submission Identify a primary mentor or mentoring team within the University of Manchester Assessment Criteria Applications will be evaluated based on: Excellence, originality, significance, and feasibility of the proposed research The applicant’s research quality, track record, and future potential Strategic fit with the University’s research priorities and long-term goals Clear alignment between the three-year fellowship duration and the proposed research plan Proposals will be assessed by non-specialist reviewers, and applicants are advised to write clearly and accessibly. How to Apply Applications must be submitted via the University of Manchester’s electronic recruitment system. Applicants will be required to: Complete all sections of the online application form Upload a two-page CV (for reference only) Submit a research proposal of up to 2,250 words (including references) directly into the application form Clearly state: The proposed host School and Department or Institute The name of the proposed mentor or mentoring team Planned engagement beyond the academic community Upload a signed supporting statement from the primary mentor using the official Supporting Statement Form No separate cover letter or additional documents should be uploaded, as these will not be considered. Why Choose the University of Manchester? The University of Manchester is globally recognised for research excellence and impact: Ranked 34th globally (QS World University Rankings 2025) 1st in Europe and 2nd globally for social and environmental impact 93% of research rated world-leading or internationally excellent (REF 2021) Home to 26 Nobel Prize winners past and present Access to tailored development programmes and a vibrant University-wide Fellows Network About the Faculty of Humanities The Faculty of Humanities hosts over 1,000 academics and research staff and more than 1,000 postgraduate researchers. Research spans four Schools: Alliance Manchester Business School School of Arts, Languages and Cultures School of Environment, Education and Development School of Social Sciences The Faculty is internationally recognised for the breadth, quality, and impact of its interdisciplinary research. What the University Offers Market-leading pension scheme Excellent health and wellbeing support Generous annual leave plus bank holidays Additional paid closure over Christmas Flexible and hybrid working options (where appropriate) Commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion Enquiries and Further Information General Enquiries: HUMS.researchfellowships@manchester.ac.uk Recruitment: People.recruitment@manchester.ac.uk Technical Support: +44 (0)161 850 2004 LEARN MORE Applications close at midnight on 16 January 2026. Due to high application volumes, individual feedback may not be provided. For more opportunities such as these please follow us on Facebook, Instagram , WhatsApp, Twitter, LinkedIn and Telegram Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) is not the fellowship organization. For any inquiries, please contact the responsible organization directly. Please do not send your applications to GSO, as we are unable to process them. 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