A scientist holding a robotic prosthetic arm, and a Vietnamese mother and daughter walking through a tiered corn field

The University of Birmingham today (23 Nov) launches a major campaign to recruit 125 new researchers and senior academics as it continues to build its strengths in key research areas, driving its ambition to become a Top 50 global university. 

Commemorating the University’s 125th anniversary in 2025, recruitment will take place over five years – resulting in the appointment of 100 new Birmingham Anniversary Fellows and 25 Birmingham Anniversary Chairs. The University is seeking diverse talent from amongst the world’s best researchers for the five-year positions. 

The scheme will recruit across the University’s Research Challenge Themes:

  • Global Health
  • Thriving Planet
  • Connecting Cultures
  • Life Changing Technologies
  • Fairer World
Two researchers in white lab coats looking at a laptop screen in a large lab space
125th Anniversary Fellows and Chairs | University of Birmingham

University of Birmingham Vice-Chancellor & Principal Professor Adam Tickell commented: “We are looking for outstanding researchers who want to progress their careers by joining the University of Birmingham – an ambitious top 100 global university. We’re continuing to invest in our people and facilities as we strengthen Birmingham’s areas of research excellence by recruiting a diverse mix of academic talent in line with our commitment to further boosting equality, diversity and inclusion across our University.”

The Birmingham 125th Anniversary Fellows and Chairs scheme will provide successful candidates with an excellent level of support throughout their career, including relocation assistance, research opportunities, and career development. We have a great track record of nurturing talent at Birmingham. Our new Fellows and Chairs will be joining an accomplished and supportive research environment at the forefront of their field.

Professor Rachel O’Reilly, University of Birmingham Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research)

The Fellowships offer excellent opportunities for career progression and a bespoke package of high-quality support to enable those with demonstrable impactful research to excel in their field. The new scheme aims to develop academics who epitomise citizenship and collaboration – protecting research time through careful scheduling and planning to give Fellows the freedom they need to carry out world-leading research.

University of Birmingham Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research) Professor Rachel O’Reilly commented: “The Birmingham 125th Anniversary Fellows and Chairs scheme will provide successful candidates with an excellent level of support throughout their career, including relocation assistance, research opportunities, and career development. We have a great track record of nurturing talent at Birmingham. Our new Fellows and Chairs will be joining an accomplished and supportive research environment at the forefront of their field.”

This new scheme builds upon the outstanding success of the Birmingham Fellows programme. Launched in 2011, that programme recruited 159 Fellows across five Colleges, enhancing research and wider academic performance. The programme also stimulated intellectual culture and contributed to the development of interdisciplinary research themes, as well as securing more research funding and recruiting high-quality doctoral students.

For further information, eligibility criteria, and how to apply, please visit the 125th Anniversary Fellows and Chairs website.

Featured staff