Academic fellowships
Parliament offers fellowships in which academics come and conduct projects at Parliament. There are opportunities for academic researchers at any stage of their career.
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Arts and Humanities Research Fellow 2025-26
We have an exciting opportunity to work on an academic research project, embedded within Parliament, with the opportunity to generate new, actionable, knowledge for both research and policy communities.
About the role
The role of the Arts and Humanities Research Fellow will be to conduct primary and secondary research on the impact of arts and humanities research on parliamentary scrutiny, culminating in the production of a report for policy audiences, and an academic journal article for the research community.
Through this project, the Arts and Humanities Research Fellow will establish and evidence the use of arts and humanities research in the UK Parliament and more broadly, making a valuable contribution in an area where there is a lack of evidence.
This project is funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council, and is part of a wider body of activity to understand and enhance parliamentary use of research evidence, both in UK Parliament and the devolved legislatures.
This role is well suited for an experienced Research Assistant, junior researcher, or knowledge exchange professional with research skills.
How can I apply?
- Find out more information about the role in the Arts and Humanities Research Fellow Person Specification (pdf, 316KB).
- Read the Guidance Notes for Applicants. (pdf, 485KB) This gives information on key dates, eligibility and security clearance, funding, how to apply, assessment and selection process, our values, reasonable adjustments and workplace adjustments, ethics approval, fellow status, terms and conditions, and contacts and sources of further information.
- Complete the online application by 11.55pm on Tuesday 6 May 2025. Find out more and apply here.
Find out more
We are holding an online information session on Wednesday 26 March 2025, 1pm – 2pm. Register to attend here.
For a confidential, informal conversation about the project, please email the Knowledge Exchange Unit: keu@parliament.uk
Parliamentary Thematic Research Leads
Over 2023, Parliament and the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) have been piloting the creation of a network of Thematic Research Leads (TRLs). TRLs are mid-career researchers embedded part-time in Parliament, who bring their academic expertise and experience of working with research evidence to the policy, research and analysis work which is carried out across Parliament.
Find out more about POST’s Parliamentary Thematic Research Leads here.
Parliamentary Academic Fellowship Scheme
In the Parliamentary Academic Fellowship Scheme, researchers use their knowledge and skills to carry out projects in UK Parliament. The scheme works on a rolling basis, and projects are issued as the needs arise from within Parliament.
A fellowship project might support core work of an office in Parliament, or fill a gap in expertise. It could help to grow Parliament's academic networks, or inform parliamentary scrutiny. It might analyse and evaluate parliamentary practices, or build staff capacity and skills.
Applications are open to all UK-based university researchers who already have a PhD and are employed on an academic contract, as well as university staff working in impact or knowledge exchange.
POST PhD Fellowships
POST offers fellowships in which sponsored PhD students can work at POST for (usually) three months.
Some fellowships are also open to post-doctoral researchers in academia and industry. POST runs this scheme with Research Councils, learned societies and charities. Find out more about POST PhD Fellowships.
Discover how the Knowledge Exchange Unit supports researchers and Parliament to work together.