British Academy Postdoctoral Fellowships

The British Academy Postdoctoral Fellowships offers outstanding early career researchers the opportunity to strengthen their experience of research and teaching in an academic environment. This scheme aims to help develop the award holder’s curriculum vitae and boost their prospects of obtaining a permanent academic post. The primary emphasis is on the completion of a significant piece of publishable research, and the integration of the award holder into the community of established scholars within their field.

The Guildhall School is distinctive in being the only world-leading European institution that is both a music conservatoire and a drama school; it is also pre-eminent in technical theatre, professional development, community outreach, and music therapy. The Guildhall School has a vibrant postdoctoral community, and has been rated the top music conservatoire for research in the latest Research Excellence Framework (REF2021).

The Research Department at the Guildhall School explores fundamental questions about the creative arts. It embraces a wide range of disciplines within music and drama including composition, performance, pedagogy, historical musicology, music and literature studies, cultural history, electronic music, and music therapy. The School therefore invites project proposals that fit within the wide range of disciplines under the Guildhall School remit. We are particularly interested in supporting projects in the areas of digital performance and music therapy. Please see our website for more information.

Contract Type:  If awarded, a fixed-term contract with a start date between 1st September 2025 and 1^st January 2026 for a period of 36 months. The British Academy will support requests to hold the award part-time over a proportionately longer period for health-related reasons, disability or childcare commitments.

TO APPLY:

The application process will be as follows:

1. a) Candidates should check their eligibility here.
2. b) Eligible candidates are invited to submit a completed application using the Guildhall School’s internal pro forma to research@gsmd.ac.uk. Please contact research@gsmd.ac.uk to request all documentation.

One or two candidates will be selected for support by an internal panel based on the below criteria:

1. a) Originality- the proposal’s relationship to, and the volume of, research already in the field, the scholarly importance of the research proposed,
2. b) Project plans- the suitability of the methodology, the feasibility of the research programme, the specificity of the scheme of research and the intended outcomes.
3. c) Applicant profile- the ability of the applicant to undertake the proposed research, taking into account their track record in terms of publication, their academic age and stage of career.
4. d) Institutional fit- the project fits within the disciplines at the School and is appropriate for a conservatoire setting.

Closing date for applications is 19^th August 2024.

Applications received after the deadline will not be considered for shortlisting.

Successful candidates will be supported with their application to the first stage of the national competition run by the British Academy Trust, with a deadline of 2^nd October 2024.

If successful, the Guildhall School will then host the award from the British Academy and the expectation is that any successful applicant will be offered an employment contract at the Guildhall School to carry out their proposed project. Appointments are dependent on the successful award of a British Academy Fellowship.

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