Research Fellow (Cadbury Postdoctoral Fellowship) in African Studies at the University of Birmingham, UK

The University of Birmingham is inviting applications for the Research Fellow (Cadbury Postdoctoral Fellowship) in African Studies, an academic opportunity designed to support an early-career researcher whose work focuses on African History and/or African Studies.

Based in the University’s School of History and Cultures in Edgbaston, Birmingham, the fellowship provides an opportunity for an eligible scholar to undertake advanced research, publish academic work, contribute to teaching, and participate in the University’s wider research community.

The position is particularly significant because it is funded through an endowment established to enable academics from sub-Saharan African universities to spend a period of time at the University of Birmingham.

Importantly, this is not an open international postdoctoral fellowship. Applicants must currently be based on the African continent and employed by or affiliated with an African higher education institution.

Research Fellow (Cadbury Postdoctoral Fellowship) in African Studies

The successful candidate will join the School of History and Cultures at the University of Birmingham as a Research Fellow in African History.

The fellowship is intended to strengthen the candidate’s research profile while also contributing to the University’s teaching and research activities in African Studies and History.

The role will involve working with a mentor on an agreed programme of research and developing research outputs suitable for publication and academic dissemination.

Key opportunity details

Institution: University of Birmingham
School: School of History and Cultures
Location: Edgbaston, Birmingham, United Kingdom
Position: Research Fellow (Cadbury Postdoctoral Fellowship) in African Studies
Field: African History and/or African Studies
Contract: Full-time, fixed-term
Contract period: Up to June 2028
Fellowship duration: 18 months
Expected start date: 1 January 2027
Salary: £36,636–£46,049 per year, with potential progression to £48,822
Grade: Grade 7
Application deadline: 1 September 2026
Job identification: 9655

About the Cadbury Postdoctoral Fellowship

The Cadbury Postdoctoral Fellowship is intended to create an opportunity for scholars affiliated with higher education institutions in sub-Saharan Africa to spend a period of research at the University of Birmingham.

During the fellowship, the successful researcher will be able to develop their academic work in an international research environment while contributing to the teaching and intellectual life of the University.

The fellow will work within the School of History and Cultures and will have the opportunity to engage with researchers and students working in related fields.

The fellowship is therefore particularly relevant to researchers who have already completed a PhD in African History or a closely related field and are looking to strengthen their postdoctoral research and publication record.

What will the Research Fellow do?

The successful candidate will have responsibilities across research, publication, teaching, academic engagement and administration.

1. Conduct high-quality research

A central component of the position will be developing and undertaking research within the fellow’s area of historical specialisation.

The fellow will:

Develop research objectives and proposals.
Conduct research within their area of expertise.
Collect and analyse research data.
Interpret research findings.
Develop new intellectual understandings through their research.
Work with a mentor where appropriate.
Address challenges that may affect research objectives and deadlines.

Research methods may include literature reviews, interviews, archival or other research approaches appropriate to the field.

2. Develop academic publications

The position places significant emphasis on research outputs and academic publications.

The successful candidate will be expected to:

Disseminate research findings.
Prepare academic publications.
Present research at seminars and other academic events.
Prepare papers, posters and other research outputs.
Contribute to the University’s research environment.
Develop a convincing and achievable research and publication programme.

Applicants therefore need to demonstrate research activity and publications appropriate to their stage of their postdoctoral career.

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3. Contribute to teaching

The Research Fellow will also contribute to the delivery of African Studies and History programmes within the School of History and Cultures.

Teaching responsibilities may include:

Designing and delivering teaching sessions.
Convening undergraduate or postgraduate modules.
Delivering lectures.
Conducting seminars.
Designing and marking assessments.
Supervising dissertation students where appropriate.
Supporting other teaching-related activities.

Candidates should therefore be able to contribute to teaching at both undergraduate and Master’s level in African Studies and History.

4. Participate in the University’s research community

The successful fellow will contribute to research-related activities within the Department, School and wider University.

This can include:

Participating in research seminars.
Presenting research findings.
Engaging with academic colleagues.
Supporting research-related activities.
Participating in public engagement activities.
Contributing to wider scholarly discussions.

The role therefore goes beyond independent research and encourages the successful candidate to become an active member of the University’s academic community.

5. Support students and other researchers

Depending on the requirements of the discipline and research activities, the fellow may also:

Supervise students undertaking research-related work.
Provide guidance to PhD students.
Support staff or students assisting with research.
Offer academic guidance within their area of expertise.

6. Research administration and management

The position may also involve administrative responsibilities arising from the research programme.

The successful candidate may contribute to:

Research-related administration.
Departmental activities.
School-level research activities.
Management processes.
Public engagement activities.
Equality, diversity and inclusion initiatives.

Who can apply?

This fellowship has specific eligibility requirements, particularly concerning the applicant’s location, institutional affiliation and doctoral qualification.

PhD requirement

Applicants must have a PhD focused on the history of Africa and/or African diasporas.

The PhD must have been:

Examined and passed between 1 June 2021 and 1 June 2026.

Applicants whose doctoral thesis has only been submitted and is awaiting examination are not eligible.

This means candidates must have successfully completed the examination process within the specified period before applying.

African continent requirement

Applicants must currently be based on the African continent.

In addition, they must be:

Employed by an African higher education institution; or
Affiliated with an African higher education institution.

This is one of the most important eligibility conditions of the opportunity.

The fellowship is specifically funded to enable members of staff at sub-Saharan African universities to spend a period at the University of Birmingham.

Therefore, applicants living outside Africa are not eligible simply because they are originally from an African country.

The requirement concerns the applicant’s current location and institutional affiliation.

Employment status requirement

Candidates must either:

Not currently hold a permanent academic position, or
If they do hold a permanent academic position, provide a statement with their application confirming that their home institution will release them for the duration of their appointment at the University of Birmingham.

Applicants should therefore carefully consider their employment status before applying.

Other skills and experience required

Successful applicants should be able to demonstrate:

Research experience

Applicants should have evidence of:

Active research engagement.
Academic publications.
Research outputs appropriate to their career stage.
Ability to develop independent research.
Ability to analyse and interpret research findings.

Research proposal development

Candidates need to demonstrate the ability to develop a convincing and achievable research and publication proposal in African History.

The proposed research should be realistic for the fellowship period and demonstrate clear academic value.

Teaching experience

Applicants should be capable of contributing to:

Undergraduate teaching.
Master’s-level teaching.
African Studies programmes.
History programmes.

Administrative and organisational skills

The position also requires an understanding of broader academic management and administrative processes.

Salary and employment conditions

The position is a full-time, fixed-term Grade 7 appointment.

The stated salary range is:

£36,636 to £46,049 per year, with potential progression once in post to £48,822.

The expected start date is 1 January 2027, and the contract is scheduled to run on a fixed-term basis up to June 2028.

The fellowship itself is described as an 18-month postdoctoral fellowship.

Application deadline

The stated closing date is:

1 September 2026

Applicants should ensure that they submit their application before the deadline and allow enough time to prepare their research and publication proposal and demonstrate their eligibility.

Important eligibility point for African scholars

One of the most important aspects of this opportunity is that it is not simply a fellowship for anyone interested in African Studies.

The position specifically states that it is limited to applicants who are:

Currently based on the African continent; and
Employed by or affiliated with an African higher education institution.

Applicants must also have a qualifying PhD in the history of Africa and/or African diasporas, completed within the specified period.

Consequently, researchers from African countries who are currently living and working outside Africa may not satisfy the eligibility requirements.

Similarly, an applicant who is currently living in Africa but has no employment or affiliation with an African higher education institution would need to carefully assess whether they meet the stated institutional requirement.

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Application considerations

Candidates should ensure that their application clearly demonstrates how they meet the requirements of the fellowship.

A strong application should make it easy for the University to identify:

The applicant’s doctoral qualification.
The date on which the PhD was examined and passed.
Their current location on the African continent.
Their affiliation with an African higher education institution.
Their research specialisation.
Their publication record.
Their proposed research programme.
Their ability to contribute to African Studies and History teaching.
Their ability to participate in the wider academic environment.
Their ability to complete an achievable research and publication programme during the fellowship.

Use of AI in applications

The University of Birmingham specifically provides a warning regarding the use of artificial intelligence in applications.

Applicants are expected to demonstrate their genuine interest in the role and ensure that written application materials accurately reflect their own communication style.

The University states that applications relying too heavily on AI tools may appear generic and may not provide enough detail for the University to properly assess the applicant’s skills.

Applicants should therefore ensure that their application materials are genuinely their own and accurately represent their research experience, academic interests and professional background.

Equality, diversity and inclusion

The University of Birmingham states that it values diversity and is committed to creating an inclusive working environment.

The University highlights its work through initiatives and accreditations including:

Athena SWAN.
Race Equality Charter.
Disability Confident accreditation.
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Centre.

The successful candidate will be expected to contribute to a fair and equitable workplace and to identify and respond appropriately to equality and diversity issues in accordance with University policies.

Informal enquiries

Applicants who have questions about the position can make informal enquiries to:

Juliet Gilbert

Email: j.gilbert.2@bham.ac.uk

Why this opportunity is significant

The Cadbury Postdoctoral Fellowship provides an opportunity for an eligible African scholar to spend an extended period conducting research at a major UK university while remaining connected to their academic development and research interests.

For an early-career researcher in African History or African Studies, the position can provide an environment for:

Developing new research.
Strengthening academic publications.
Building international academic connections.
Participating in seminars and research activities.
Gaining additional teaching experience.
Engaging with scholars and students in the UK.
Developing a longer-term academic profile.
Contributing research on Africa and African diasporas to an international academic environment.

Opportunity Category

Fellowship — Postdoctoral Research Fellowship

Who Qualifies?

This opportunity is specifically aimed at early-career African scholars/researchers who:

Have a PhD in the history of Africa and/or African diasporas.
Had their PhD examined and passed between 1 June 2021 and 1 June 2026.
Are currently based on the African continent.
Are employed by or affiliated with an African higher education institution.
Have evidence of research activity and publications.
Can develop a convincing research and publication proposal in African History.
Can contribute to undergraduate and Master’s teaching in African Studies and History.

The opportunity is therefore Africa-focused rather than open to applicants from every continent. The current location and African higher education affiliation requirements are particularly important.

Deadline