Postdoctoral research

Learn more about our research

We encourage interdisciplinary and cross-departmental research. 

Find out about some of the staff and doctoral research topics we cover below.

Find out more about postdoctoral competitions and how to apply

Fellowship programmes aim to help early-career researchers strengthen their experience of research and teaching in a university environment with a view to helping them obtain permanent lecturing posts by the end of their fellowship.

If you are interested in being hosted by the department for a postdoctoral fellowship, please contact jewish.studies@ucl.ac.uk.

Some applications have to go through multiple decision stages - departmental, faculty, and funder - and require substantial lead times. 

Get in touch with us as soon as possible if you wish to be considered for support.

British Academy Postdoctoral Fellowships 

British Academy Postdoctoral Fellowships provide funding to cover the costs of a 36 month fellowship. Its purpose is to enable the award holder to pursue an independent research project, towards the completion of a significant piece of publishable research. 

Eligibility is limited to British citizens, nationals from the European Economic Area, and any nationals with a UK doctorate, all within three years of the PhD. 

Grant currently closed.

British Academy International Fellowships

The British Academy International Fellowships Programme provides support for outstanding early career researchers to make a first step towards developing an independent research career through gaining experience across international borders. 

Each award is expected to involve a specific and protected research focus with the award holder undertaking high quality, original research. This scheme is jointly run by the British Academy and the Royal Society.

Funder deadline: 11 March 2026

Rothschild Foundation Europe

Candidates researching and/or teaching any topic within the field of Jewish Studies are eligible for funding from the Rothschild Foundation Europe. The Foundation particularly welcomes applications from those engaged in the study of contemporary Jewish life in Europe from a social science perspective or those whose proposals involve digital humanities research techniques. 

Please submit a research proposal and CV by the internal deadline to be considered as a candidate put forward with Departmental support.

NB. Please note that the salary for this Fellowship is lower than for the Leverhulme and British Academy Postdoctoral Fellowships and works out to approximately £21,000 per annum gross.

Grant currently closed.

Leverhulme Early Career Fellowships

Leverhulme Early Career Fellowships aim to provide career development opportunities for those who are at a relatively early stage of their academic careers, but who have a proven record of research. 

The expectation is that Fellows should undertake a significant piece of publishable work during their tenure, and that the Fellowships should lead to a more permanent academic position. 

Email jewish.studies@ucl.ac.uk for an application form and also to submit your draft application.

Grant currently closed.

Marie Skłodowska-Curie Postdoctoral Fellowship

The objective of Postdoctoral Fellowships is to support researchers’ careers and foster excellence in research. The Marie Skłodowska-Curie Postdoctoral Fellowship action targets researchers holding a PhD who wish to carry out their research activities abroad, acquire new skills and develop their careers. 

Postdoctoral Fellowships help researchers gain experience in other countries, disciplines and non-academic sectors. Marie Curie offer both European and Global Postdoctoral Fellowships.

Grant currently closed. Next deadline likely September 2026.