Research Fellow at University of Leeds

Working time: 100%

Contract type: Fixed term (Fixed Term for 12 months from 01/02/2026 to 31/01/2027)

This full-time job starts on 1^st February 2026 and ends on 31^st January 2027.

The Research Fellow will join an international team of researchers working on the AHRC-DFG-funded project titled ‘Transitions: Examining changing regimes of sexuality in post-Soviet Muslim Republics’. It brings together an interdisciplinary team of researchers based at the Universities of Leeds and Regensburg, and also research partners from the region that collaboratively examine cultural and political shifts in the counties in the Caucasus and Central Asia where Islam is a dominant religion, taking Azerbaijan and Kyrgyzstan as principal case studies. This job will provide an opportunity for the candidate to work alongside experienced and early career researchers working across the disciplines of Cultural Studies, Gender and Sexuality Studies, Art History, Literary Studies, Media Studies, History, and International Relations. The Research Fellow will facilitate activities such as conferences and field trips whilst developing own research trajectory within the project, resulting in publications and professional development.

What we offer in return

• 26 days holiday plus approx.16 Bank Holidays/days that the University is closed by custom (including Christmas) – That’s 42 days a year!
• Generous pension scheme options plus life assurance.
• Health and Wellbeing: Discounted staff membership options at The Edge, our state-of-the-art Campus gym, with a pool, sauna, climbing wall, cycle circuit, and sports halls.
• Personal Development: Access to courses run by our Organisational Development & Professional Learning team.
• Access to on-site childcare, shopping discounts and travel schemes are also available.

And much more!

To explore the post further or for any queries you may have, please contact:

Professor Vlad Strukov – Project’s Principal Investigator;  Email: V.Strukov@leeds.ac.uk