Postdoctoral Research

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The research in HJS is world renowned, wide-ranging, and innovative.

Staff and doctoral research includes, but is not limited to:

Ancient Near East
Early rabbinic literature
Jewish time and calendars
Code switching in the Talmud
Ancient science & medicine
Ancient Jewish magic
Witchcraft in biblical & post-biblical times
Body marking & tattoos

Yiddish literature
Hebrew & Yiddish theatre
Jews and photography
Jewish feminism
Maskilic Hebrew
Endangered languages
Jewish mysticism
Jewish food

Jewish-Muslim relations
The Arab-Israeli conflict
Peace efforts in the Middle East
Antisemitism
Jewishness and gender
The Holocaust/Shoah
Eastern European Jewish history

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. We encourage interdisciplinary and cross-departmental research.

Relevant postdoctoral competitions

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 thus require substantial lead times. Please get in touch with us as soon as possible if you wish to be considered for support.

British Academy Postdoctoral Fellowships

This highly competitive scheme provides 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. Candidates should initially email their proposed mentors within the Department, with a copy to jewish.studies@ucl.ac.uk.

HJS Departmental Deadline: Monday 29 July, 6pm

British Academy International Fellowships

The 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.

Grant currently closed. Next deadline likely March 2025.

Rothschild Foundation Europe

For candidates researching and/or teaching any topic within the field of Jewish Studies will be considered eligible for funding. 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 deadline.

Grant currently closed. Next deadline likely January 2025.

Leverhulme Early Career Fellowships

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. Draft applications should be submitted to jewish.studies@ucl.ac.uk; for an application form, please email the same address.

HJS Departmental Deadline: Wednesday 16 October, 6pm

Marie Curie Postdoctoral Fellowship

The objective of Postdoctoral Fellowships is to support researchers’ careers and foster excellence in research. The Postdoctoral Fellowships 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.

Not available for 2024.

For any queries about the above please contact jewish.studies@ucl.ac.uk