Simon Research Fellowships in Humanities

Fellowships are open to outstanding researchers who are near the beginning of promising academic careers (i.e. who have been awarded a PhD by the closing date for applications, and not more than three years prior to the closing date for applications), and who do not already hold, nor have held, a permanent university academic post. Applicants will have already demonstrated a potential for research and the appointing committee will take into consideration the contribution that the Fellow would make to the research programme of the department or school to which he or she would be assigned. The original bequests were made by Professor H. Hallsworth, and the Rt Hon Lord and Lady Simon of Wythenshawe in 1944, and represent the largest endowment to the University. Simon Research Fellowships are offered for research in the Social Sciences, including Law and Education. Hallsworth Fellowships are offered in the area of Political Economy, and Chinese Political Economy, which is defined in the endowment as follows: “The term "Political Economy" shall for the purpose of this schedule be deemed to have a wider significance than Economics proper and to include inter alia Public Administration and be concerned with the study of how economies work, have worked, and be made to work better; of how government action influences the working of economies; and of the institutional structures of governance.” We are looking to make appointments to five postdoctoral Fellowships in the area of Political Economy with an emphasis on projects designed to achieve high quality engaged and impactful research. Ideally proposals will identify and outline a route to relationship development with partners that could lead to future research funding either directly from collaboration or via joint bids whose value will be elevated through in-kind contributions from partners. The Fellows will have the support of the Faculty of Humanities Business Engagement team, which can facilitate partner introductions and advise on collaboration mechanisms, as well as the Faculty of Humanities research and impact teams. Applications will be judged principally on the excellence, originality, significance, and feasibility of the research proposal as described; on the level of candidate’s research quality and potential; and lastly on the fit with the University’s thematic research priorities and strategic goals (From Manchester for the world, our strategy to 2035 | The University of Manchester). Candidates are advised to pay particular attention to ensuring that there is a clear link between the length of Fellowship and the research proposal. A condition of the Fellowship is that fellows take part in annual networking and cohort development activities for Fellows. A detailed project report, submitted to the departmental mentoring team must be completed annually and at the end of the Fellowship. Candidates are required to discuss and develop their applications with the relevant or preferred Discipline Area or Research Institute/Centre before submission, to ensure a good fit with the school research priorities. The fellowship is a full-time commitment and though not compulsory, provides opportunities for the Fellow to undertake a limited amount of teaching of a maximum of up to 5 hours per week where there are opportunities available in their host department. All teaching is agreed at the discretion of the Fellowship Committee The Fellowships are normally awarded to graduates of any University in the British Commonwealth. They may be awarded, in exceptional circumstances, to persons who are not graduates of any such University or of any University and wherever resident. Flexible working requests will be considered in line with University policy ( Please complete the electronic application form via the University’s electronic recruitment system. You will be asked to indicate the School and Department most appropriate to host your research along with the relevant UoM institute or platforms which you see your proposed research connecting to. Please indicate only one primary School and Department. As part of the application, you will need to submit a research proposal. Please do not upload a separate copy of your research proposal – only the information supplied in the form will be used in the assessment of your application. Your research proposal should be no more than 2,250 words (including references) and should be relevant to the overall research plans of your nominated academic centre (i.e. School and department or institute). Your proposal must clearly identify your nominated host school and department or institute and the name of a proposed mentor/mentoring team. Your proposal should also provide a short statement outlining what steps you will take to engage with areas outside of the immediate academic community. Further advice and guidance on research impact and ‘pathways to impact’ can be found here Your proposal will be assessed by non-experts in your field. You will also need to upload a signed statement of support from your primary mentor. Please ask your mentor to complete this on the ‘Supporting Statement Form’ which can be downloaded from the advert page. For questions relating to Humanities Research Fellowships, please see the list of Frequently Asked Questions ( Fantastic market leading Pension scheme Excellent employee health and wellbeing services including an Employee Assistance Programme Exceptional starting annual leave entitlement, plus bank holidays Additional paid closure over the Christmas period Local and national discounts at a range of major retailers As an equal opportunities employer we welcome applicants from all sections of the community regardless of age, sex, gender (or gender identity), ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation and transgender status. Our University is positive about flexible working – you can find out more here Hybrid working arrangements may be considered. Technical support: 0161 850 2004 This vacancy will close for applications at midnight on the closing date.