Leverhulme Trust Early Career Fellowship

About the opportunity

The Centre for Research in the Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities (CRASSH) at the University of Cambridge invites applications for the Leverhulme Trust Early Career Fellowships. These prestigious fellowships are intended for early career researchers with a doctorate who have a proven research record but have not yet held a full-time permanent academic position. Successful candidates will be hosted at one of CRASSH’s participating centres: the Centre for Geopolitics, Cambridge Digital Humanities, or the Centre for Pandemic Risk Management. The Isaac Newton Trust provides matching funds for successful applications to be held at Cambridge starting between 1 September 2027 and 1 May 2028, subject to an internal selection process.

Salary and benefits

• Salary funding through the Leverhulme Trust award, matched by the Isaac Newton Trust for fellowships held at Cambridge.
• Normal placement on Scale Point 41 of the University's Single Salary Spine, progressing one point each year, up to a maximum starting limit of Scale Point 44.
• A supportive, interdisciplinary research environment within a participating CRASSH centre.

Who can apply?

• A doctorate must be completed by the start of the fellowship, with the doctoral thesis submitted for viva voce by the Leverhulme deadline (early/mid-February 2027).
• The thesis submission date must not be earlier than four years before the Leverhulme deadline (early/mid-February 2023), unless a career break due to exceptional circumstances can be demonstrated.
• Applicants must not be registered for any other degree or qualification when starting the fellowship.
• Applicants must either hold a degree from a UK university or have been in a UK academic position for at least four months before the deadline (those starting after October 2024 or employed less than four months are ineligible unless meeting continuous employment criteria).
• Applicants with three or more years of postdoctoral research experience focusing on independent research are not eligible.
• Candidates must not have previously held a full-time permanent academic position at a UK university or equivalent institution, nor hold such a post during the fellowship.

Required documents

• Completed cover sheet
• Brief CV (maximum two pages)
• List of major publications (maximum one side)
• Statement of current research (maximum 250 words)
• Detailed research proposal (maximum two sides, including references)
• Two letters of reference (uploaded directly by referees)

When to apply

• Internal CRASSH application deadline: Friday 16 October 2026 at 12:00 noon
• References submission deadline: Friday 16 October 2026 at 17:00
• Leverhulme Trust deadline: Early/mid-February 2027 (implied for final stage)
• Fellowship start date window: Between 1 September 2027 and 1 May 2028

How to apply

• Review eligibility criteria and consult the Leverhulme Trust website and Isaac Newton Trust guidance.
• Identify a proposed host centre within CRASSH (Centre for Geopolitics, Cambridge Digital Humanities, or Centre for Pandemic Risk Management), a mentor, and a mentor's department.
• Complete the cover sheet and compile application documents including CV, publications list, research statement, and research proposal.
• Submit your application through the online application system by 12:00 noon on 16 October 2026.
• Arrange for two referees to upload their letters of reference through the online system by 17:00 on 16 October 2026.

Additional information

• Match-funding is provided by the Isaac Newton Trust for positions held at the University of Cambridge.
• Mentors can be based in a different Department or Faculty outside the participating CRASSH centres.
• For queries, contact fellowships@crassh.cam.ac.uk.