University of Oxford Invites Applications for British Academy Postdoctoral Fellowships 2026–27 @27

The Faculty of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies at the University of Oxford has announced a call for expressions of interest from outstanding early-career researchers wishing to apply for the prestigious British Academy Postdoctoral Fellowships for the 2026–27 academic year.

The fellowship scheme provides an exceptional opportunity for recent postdoctoral scholars in the Humanities and Social Sciences to develop their research careers within one of the world’s leading academic institutions while gaining valuable teaching and university-level experience.

Prospective applicants seeking support from the Faculty of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies must submit their expressions of interest by 1 July 2026.

About the British Academy Postdoctoral Fellowship

The British Academy Postdoctoral Fellowship is one of the United Kingdom’s most competitive and respected early-career research funding schemes. The programme is designed to support outstanding researchers who are at the beginning of their academic careers and demonstrate significant potential to become future leaders in their fields.

The fellowship provides funding for a period of three years, allowing scholars to focus on high-quality research while strengthening their academic profile through teaching, publications, networking, and professional development.

The programme aims to:

• Support innovative research in the Humanities and Social Sciences
• Develop the research and teaching experience of early-career academics
• Strengthen scholarly publication records
• Enhance career prospects for permanent academic positions
• Foster intellectual collaboration within university environments

Opportunity at Oxford’s Faculty of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies

The Faculty of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies is inviting expressions of interest from researchers whose work aligns with the Faculty’s areas of expertise and academic priorities.

The Faculty is internationally recognized for its teaching and research in:

• Asian Studies
• Middle Eastern Studies
• Islamic Studies
• Persian Studies
• Chinese Studies
• Japanese Studies
• Korean Studies
• South Asian Studies
• Sanskrit and Vedic Studies
• Egyptology
• Languages and Cultures of Asia and the Middle East

Successful candidates supported by the Faculty will have the opportunity to engage with a vibrant academic community and access world-class research resources throughout the fellowship period.

Fellowship Duration and Benefits

The fellowship provides a three-year period during which scholars can focus on advancing their research while gaining experience in a university setting.

Key benefits include:

• Dedicated time for independent research
• Academic mentoring and support
• Teaching and supervision experience
• Access to Oxford’s extensive research resources
• Opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration
• Professional development and networking opportunities
• Enhanced competitiveness for future academic appointments

The fellowship is specifically designed to help scholars build a strong foundation for long-term careers in academia and research.

Eligibility Requirements

The British Academy maintains strict eligibility requirements for the fellowship programme.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to carefully review the official eligibility criteria before preparing their submissions.

The scheme is intended for:

• Recent postdoctoral researchers
• Scholars nearing completion of their doctoral studies
• Researchers working within the Humanities and Social Sciences

Candidates must ensure that they meet all eligibility conditions established by the British Academy before seeking institutional support.

Mentor Requirement

An important component of the application process is the identification of a suitable academic mentor within the Faculty of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies.

Applicants must:

• Secure agreement from a prospective mentor within the Faculty
• Discuss their proposed research project with the mentor
• Obtain confirmation of the mentor’s willingness to support the application

The prospective mentor will be required to submit a brief assessment of the candidate and confirm their support before the internal deadline.

The Faculty notes that mentors are not expected to contribute to the preparation of applications prior to this stage.

Expression of Interest Process

Candidates wishing to apply through the Faculty of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies must submit an application form as part of the internal selection process.

Applications should be submitted to:

amy.richardson@humanities.ox.ac.uk

Applicants are also encouraged to include information regarding any circumstances that may have affected their academic record or research productivity.

Examples may include:

• Illness
• Parental leave
• Caring responsibilities
• Other significant personal circumstances

Providing this information allows the Faculty to assess applications within the broader context of individual career trajectories.

Selection Process

Following the internal review process, candidates selected for institutional support will be contacted by Oxford’s Humanities Division Research Facilitation team.

Selected applicants will receive:

• Guidance on the fellowship process
• Information regarding submission timelines
• Support for preparing a competitive application
• Instructions for using the British Academy application system

Support from the Faculty is required before an application can proceed through the official fellowship process.

Why This Fellowship Matters

The British Academy Postdoctoral Fellowship is widely regarded as a career-defining opportunity for early-career researchers.

The scheme enables scholars to:

• Establish independent research agendas
• Build international academic networks
• Publish high-impact research
• Gain teaching and mentoring experience
• Strengthen prospects for permanent academic employment

For researchers in Asian and Middle Eastern Studies, the opportunity to conduct research at the University of Oxford provides access to leading scholars, specialized libraries, research centres, and interdisciplinary collaborations.

Key Deadline

Researchers wishing to seek support from the Faculty of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies must submit their expression of interest by:

1 July 2026 at 17:00 (UK time)

Applicants are encouraged to contact prospective mentors and prepare their materials well in advance of the deadline.

Final Thoughts

The British Academy Postdoctoral Fellowship 2026–27 offers outstanding early-career researchers a unique opportunity to advance their academic careers within one of the world’s most prestigious universities. Through three years of dedicated research, mentoring, and professional development, successful fellows will be well positioned to make significant scholarly contributions while strengthening their prospects for long-term academic success.

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Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) is not the organization offering this opportunity. For any inquiries, please contact the official organization directly. Please do not send your applications & CVs to GSO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of emails, we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding.

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