ESRC Postdoctoral fellowships at Middlesex University

Applications are now open for ESRC Postdoctoral Fellowships at Middlesex University. 

Postdoctoral fellowships aim at providing a career development opportunity for those in the immediately postdoctoral stage of their career. They provide fellows an opportunity to consolidate their PhD through developing publications and networks together with research and professional skills.

ESRC Postdoctoral Fellowships are delivered through the national network of Doctoral Training Partnerships, which ensures that the fellowships are embedded in a high-quality environments for research and training. Middlesex University is a member of the South and East Network for Social Sciences (SENSS) Doctoral Training Partnership. Visit the SENSS website for more information about the Postdoctoral Fellowship programme.

In most cases the fellowship will be aimed at a research career in academia; however activities in support of a transition to a research career outside academic (eg a researcher in public, private or civil society organisations) will also be considered.

Research areas

What research areas are supported?

Postdoctoral Fellowships at Middlesex University must be framed in terms of one of five thematic areas:

  • Sustainability and Climate Change
  • Health, Well-being, and Social Care
  • Justice, Institutions, and Social Change
  • Resolving Uncertainty and Addressing Crises
  • Advanced Methods for Social and Economic Research

When does the fellowship start?

1 October 2025.

How long is the fellowship?

Up to one year full-time, or two-years part time.

Application process

How do I apply?

Application is a two-stage process:

Stage One: Submit an Expression of Interest by Friday 10 January by 12:00 to HEIapply. HEIapply will be open for Expressions of Interest from 11 November 2024.

The Expression of Interest must:

  • include a summary of the research project
  • identify Middlesex as your proposed home university
  • identify your proposed mentor at Middlesex (who must support your application)
  • identify a second mentor, if possible, at another SENSS university
  • confirm eligibility
  • provide a short CV – no more than two pages.

Stage Two: Full application phase, deadline 25 March 2025, at HEIapply.

This phase is for those applicants who were successful in the Expression of Interest phase.  The application portal will open following the conclusion of the Expression of Interest phase.

Am I eligible?

To be eligible applicants must:

  • Have been awarded a PhD by a UK research organisation (RO) or have passed their viva voce with minor amendments by the application deadline of 25 March 2025, and have been awarded their PhD by the fellowship start date of 1 October 2025
  • Have no more than 12 months of active postdoctoral experience. This is measured from the applicant’s viva voce pass date to the application deadline of 25 March 2025.

What funding is available?

The fellowship can include the following:

  • Salary costs
  • Indirect costs
  • Estate costs
  • Up to a maximum of £10,000 for all other costs (eg mentoring costs, travel and subsistence, conference attendance, training, fieldwork)

What are mentoring arrangements?

Applicants need to identify a mentor at Middlesex who will support the fellowship.  The mentor should have experience and strong interest in the applicant’s field of research, but normally should not be the applicant’s PhD supervisor if the applicant is undertaking their doctorate at Middlesex.  A second mentor from another SENSS university is required, and this person can be found with the assistance of your Middlesex mentor.

How will my application be assessed?

  1. Quality of work programme
  2. Value for money
  3. Mentoring arrangements
  4. Impact and outputs
  5. Consideration of ethical issues
  6. Data management plans

What are my next steps?

The first thing an applicant needs to do is consider what theme their proposed research addresses and begin to formulate key ideas of a research proposal. If you are currently completing a PhD at Middlesex, speak with your supervisor about possible academics who could be a Middlesex mentor.

If you are not currently enrolled at Middlesex, contact the research centre or group that is closest to the area you wish to explore, or a researcher at Middlesex whose work is in your area. Discuss your proposal and identify a potential mentor. Contact your potential mentor, and if they can accept the role, start work together on your Expression of Interest!

Research centres

Research centres and groups at Middlesex linked to SENSS themes are:

Research centres

Research groups

Visit the SENSS website for detailed information about the Postdoctoral Fellowship programme.

Access SENSS website