ESRC Postdoctoral Fellowships Applications

Apply for a LISS ESRC Postdoctoral Fellowship

Postdoctoral Fellowship Applications
We are awaiting confirmation from the ESRC on the details of the 2026 competition.

The London Interdisciplinary Social Science DTP is inviting applications for four ESRC funded Postdoctoral Fellowships to be based at any of our partner institutions: King’s College London, Queen Mary University of London, or Imperial College London.

These fellowships are aimed at aimed at providing a career development opportunity for those in the immediately postdoctoral stage of their career, to provide the opportunity to consolidate their PhD through developing publications, their networks, and their research and professional skills. Fellowships will provide funding for up to one year full-time, or up to two years part-time to cover the fellow’s salary plus up to £10,000 for all other costs (e.g., travel, conference attendance, training, fieldwork, mentoring time, etc.).

All Fellows are required to have a mentor based at the research organisation where the fellowship is held. The mentor should have experience and a strong interest in the applicant’s field of research but should not normally have been the applicant’s PhD supervisor. If you need help finding a mentor, you can see our list of potential mentors interested in working with postdoctoral fellows here: Mentors List.  Applicants are welcome to contact staff members who are not on the mentor list.

Working with a non-academic partner is encouraged, you can see our LISS Partners here.

Proposals are welcome from both single discipline or a combination of disciplines, but social sciences must make up at least 50% of your fellowship activities and your proposal must fall under one of LISS DTP’s Research Areas: https://liss-dtp.ac.uk/research-areas 

    Applicants must make sure that they meet the ESRC’s eligibility criteria before applying.
    To be eligible applicants must: 

    • Have completed their PhD at a UK research organisation.
      Applicants are not required to have previously held an ESRC funded studentship to be eligible to apply.
    • Have been awarded a PhD or have passed their viva voce with minor amendments by the application deadline of date to be confirmed and have been awarded their PhD by the fellowship start date.
    • Have no more than 12 months full-time (or pro rata equivalent) of active postdoctoral experience by the competition closing date, date to be confirmed. This is defined as any post involving a research component – it does not include teaching-only contracts. The period is calculated between the date of the viva and date to be confirmed (taking into account any career breaks).

    ESRC Call Documents

    • Full details about the Call are available here: [ESRC PDF Call Specification]
    • A list of Frequently Asked Questions can be found here: [ESRC PDF FAQs]

      Please read the Call specification and FAQ documents fully before applying.

    How to Apply

    Stage 1: Expression of Interest - CLOSED

    We have a two-stage application process.

    Applicants who are interested in applying for an ESRC Postdoctoral Fellowship at the LISS DTP must first submit an online Expression of Interest (EOI) Application form. 

    You can see an example of the EOI form to prepare your answers here.  Please note this is for guidance and only applications submitted through the online link below will be accepted.

    • Expression of Interest (EOI) Application Form Link 
    • Applicants should also complete the online Diversity Monitoring Form 

     

    Stage 2: Full Proposal - CLOSED

    Successful Expression of Interest applicants must submit a full Postdoctoral Fellowship proposal:

    • ESRC Postdoctoral Fellowship Application Form: [ESRC PDF Application Form]
    • And all Mandatory Attachments

    Completed applications must be submitted by Email to: lissapplications@kcl.ac.uk.

     

    Competition Timeline

    • ESRC to confirm 2026 competition dates

    Find out more

     

    If you have any queries on the scheme or application process, please contact: liss-dtp@kcl.ac.uk.