The Sir Terry Leahy Post-Doctoral Research Fellowship 2025-2026 at University of Manchester

Omran Aburayya
Jun 4
3 min read

If you're a recent PhD graduate passionate about urban and regional economics, economic geography, or policy-driven research aimed at revitalizing underinvested UK regions, the Sir Terry Leahy Post-Doctoral Research Fellowship at the University of Manchester offers a prestigious, fully-funded opportunity to advance your academic career. Hosted by the Alliance Manchester Business School (AMBS), this three-year fellowship is supported by a generous philanthropic gift from Sir Terry Leahy, former CEO of Tesco, to promote impactful research into the economic fortunes of UK cities and regions, particularly those that have experienced long-term underinvestment.

📌 Fellowship Summary

Location: Manchester, United Kingdom
Host Institution: Alliance Manchester Business School, University of Manchester
Academic Level: Postdoctoral Research Fellowship
Target Group: PhD holders in economics, geography, economic development, planning, engineering, or public policy
Fields of Research: Urban and regional economics, economic geography, regional development, spatial policy
Coverage: Annual salary ranging from £37,174 to £45,413, depending on experience
Duration: 3 years (fixed-term contract)
Application Deadline: 18 June 2025 (midnight UK time)
Start Date: September 2025
Eligibility: Open to candidates globally

🧾 Fellowship Overview

The Sir Terry Leahy Post-Doctoral Research Fellowship is a fully-funded, three-year position aimed at advancing research in urban and regional economics and economic geography. The fellowship is hosted by the Alliance Manchester Business School (AMBS) at the University of Manchester and is supported by a philanthropic gift from Sir Terry Leahy, former CEO of Tesco. The fellowship aims to spur research into the fortunes of UK cities and regions, especially those that have suffered from long-term underinvestment.

The successful candidate will conduct research under the guidance of Professors Philip McCann and Raquel Ortega-Argilés, both leading experts in regional economic development and productivity. The fellow will also have access to resources such as The Productivity Institute Data Lab and the AMBS Data Visualisation Observatory, as well as other research centres within the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences.

🎁 Fellowship Benefits

Competitive Salary: Annual salary ranging from £37,174 to £45,413, depending on experience.
Pension Scheme: Access to a market-leading pension scheme.
Health and Wellbeing: Comprehensive employee health and wellbeing services, including an Employee Assistance Programme.
Annual Leave: Generous annual leave entitlement, plus bank holidays and additional paid closure over the Christmas period.
Retail Discounts: Local and national discounts at a range of major retailers.
Flexible Working: Supportive of hybrid and flexible working arrangements.

✅ Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must:

Hold a PhD in economics, geography, economic development, planning, engineering, public policy, or a related field.
Demonstrate strong quantitative skills; a mix of quantitative and qualitative skills is highly valued.
Provide a detailed research plan (2,500–3,000 words, excluding references) outlining a coherent three-year research agenda.
Show how their qualifications and subjects studied link to the proposed research ideas.
Be open to candidates from both academic and professional settings, including those with experience in government, commerce, industry, think-tanks, or as university researchers.

📝 Application Procedure

Prepare Application Materials:
- Detailed CV.
- Cover letter highlighting motivation and fit for the role.
- Research proposal (2,500–3,000 words, excluding references) detailing research objectives, logic, and structure for the three-year fellowship.
Submit Application:
- Visit the official University of Manchester job portal: Apply Here.
- Complete the online application form and upload the required documents.
Deadline:
- Submit your application by 18 June 2025 (midnight UK time).