Fellowship Opportunities at Manchester Metropolitan University

About the opportunity

Manchester Metropolitan University (Manchester Met) is dedicated to fostering the next generation of research leaders. The university provides a robust support framework for outstanding candidates to apply for high-profile external research fellowships. Based in Manchester, a hub of innovation, the university offers state-of-the-art facilities and a collaborative environment across faculties including Arts and Humanities, Business and Law, Health and Education, and Science and Engineering. Manchester Met manages these opportunities through internal selection processes to ensure candidates receive tailored mentorship and guidance for their external funding applications.

Salary and benefits

• Competitive salary packages (e.g., Leverhulme Grade 8 starting at £41,064).
• Research and training expenses (e.g., up to £6,000/year for Leverhulme; €1,000/month for MSCA).
• Long-term funding durations ranging from 3 to 7 years.
• Dedicated mentorship from Academy Fellows and senior researchers.
• Reduction in teaching and administrative duties to focus on research.
• Access to the RAEng Awardee Excellence Community and other professional networks.
• Relocation support and visa assistance (e.g., Global Talent visa) where applicable.
• Potential transition to permanent Senior Lecturer or Reader roles (Third Century scheme).

Who can apply?

• Early career researchers (ECRs) who typically do not hold a permanent academic post.
• Must hold a PhD or have equivalent research experience (specific viva deadlines apply).
• Leverhulme: Thesis submitted no more than 4 years prior to the external deadline.
• RAEng: PhD awarded within the last 4.5 years.
• MSCA: Maximum 8 years post-PhD; mobility rules apply (not >12 months in UK in last 3 years for European route).
• Sir Robert Boyd Fellowship: Restricted to biomedicine/health research in the North West of England.
• Turing AI: Established researchers without a background in core AI.
• International applicants are eligible for most schemes, including UKRI and RAEng.

Required documents

• Completed internal Expression of Interest (EOI) form.
• Academic CV (typically 2 to 5 pages, sometimes in narrative format).
• Research project proposal or draft statement (1-2 pages).
• Details of a proposed supervisor or mentor (if known).

When to apply

• Leverhulme Trust Early Career Fellowship: Internal EOI by 9 October 2026; External deadline 18 February 2027.
• STFC Ernest Rutherford Fellowship: Internal EOI by 17 July 2026 (2026 round).
• Royal Academy of Engineering Research Fellowship: Internal EOI by 25 May 2026.
• UKRI Future Leaders Fellowships: Internal EOI by 7 January 2026.
• MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships: Internal EOI by 16 February 2026; External deadline September 2026.
• Sir Robert Boyd Fellowship: Internal EOI by 26 August 2024 (Past).
• Third Century Fellowship Scheme: Closed 29 May 2024 (Past).

How to apply

• Review the specific fellowship schemes and identify alignment with Manchester Met's research areas.
• Contact the relevant School or Department Research Lead to discuss potential hosting and mentorship.
• Download and complete the scheme-specific Expression of Interest (EOI) form from the official fellowship page.
• Submit the EOI and a current CV to the designated email address by the internal deadline.
• Undergo internal review by Faculty or Institutional selection panels.
• If selected, work with mentors and the Research Development Team to prepare the full external application.
• Submit the final proposal to the external funding body by their respective deadline.

Additional information

• Manchester Met was recognized as Modern University of the Year 2026 by The Times and Sunday Times.
• The university is a top 10 UK university for knowledge exchange.
• Internal selection is competitive and does not guarantee an offer of employment; employment is contingent on securing external funding.
• The Third Century Fellowship Scheme offers a transition to permanent Senior Lecturer or Reader roles based on performance.