Marie Skłodowska-Curie Postdoctoral Fellowship Opportunity Psychology of Memory, Law, and Globa[...]

Psychological sciences » Cognitive science

Psychological sciences » Behavioural sciences

Organisation/Company University of Birmingham Department School of Psychology Research Field Psychological sciences » Cognitive science Psychological sciences » Behavioural sciences Researcher Profile Recognised Researcher (R2) Positions Postdoc Positions Application Deadline 2 Feb 2026 – 00:00 (Africa/Abidjan) Country United Kingdom Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Horizon Europe – MSCA Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

Are you a motivated researcher looking to advance your career and contribute to research that shapes how legal systems gather and use memory evidence? Join the University of Birmingham\’s School of Psychology, a leading hub for research in forensic psychology, eyewitness memory, and global justice.

We are inviting talented researchers holding a PhD and with no more than eight years of research experience to prepare a competitive Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Postdoctoral Fellowship (MSCA-PF) proposal with the University of Birmingham as Host Institution.

Research Areas of Interest

We welcome proposals that align with our expertise and focus on, but are not limited to:

• Eyewitness identification procedures and lineup design
• Confidence-accuracy calibration and metamemory
• Interactive, 3D, and VR-based identification technologies
• Police interviewing and investigative memory retrieval
• Memory for traumatic events, including sexual violence
• Intoxicated witnesses and complainants
• Child and adolescent witness testimony
• Technology-assisted documentation of sexual and gender-based violence
• Interview training for frontline responders in humanitarian settings
• Behavioural crime linkage and serial offender identification
• Policy translation of psychological research to legal practice

Why Apply?

The MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships support researchers\’ careers by providing opportunities to gain international experience, acquire new skills, and expand professional networks. As a Fellow in our group, you will:

• Join an internationally recognised research team with over 20 years of impact on legal practice and policy
• Access specialist facilities including a UK police image capture and ID suite, VR technology, eye-tracking, and psychophysiological recording equipment
• Benefit from strong links to the criminal justice system via the Centre for Crime, Justice and Policing, Institute for Mental Health, P-ACE LAB, and CENTRE-UB
• Engage with international collaborations, including ongoing projects in the US, Canada, Australia, Kenya, and Europe
• Have access to BPS-accredited forensic psychology programmes and extensive partnerships with criminal justice agencies

Two different fellowships are available:

European Postdoctoral Fellowships are open to researchers moving within Europe or coming to Europe from another part of the world. These fellowships take place in an EU Member State or Horizon Europe Associated Country and last between 1 and 2 years. Researchers of any nationality can apply.

Global Postdoctoral Fellowships fund mobility of researchers outside Europe. The fellowship lasts 2 to 3 years, with the first 1 to 2 years spent in a non-associated Third Country, followed by a mandatory 1-year return phase in an EU Member State or Horizon Europe Associated Country. Only nationals or long-term residents of EU Member States or Horizon Europe Associated Countries can apply.

Selected applicants will receive detailed support in preparing the application at all stages of the process, including advice on budgets and facilities.

Applicants:

• Must hold a PhD at the time of the call deadline (applicants who have successfully defended but not yet formally been awarded the degree are eligible)
• Must have no more than eight years of research experience from the date of PhD award (career breaks and time outside research do not count toward this maximum)
• Must comply with mobility rules: not have resided or carried out their main activity in the UK for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately before the call deadline
• Must demonstrate a strong research background and interest in one or more of the topics listed above

Your main supervisor will be Professor Heather Flowe. She is Professor of Psychology at the University of Birmingham in the School of Psychology. Her research focuses on eyewitness memory and identification, police interviewing, and the documentation of sexual and gender-based violence in legal and humanitarian contexts.

Professor Flowe has secured over £8 million in competitive research funding, published over 100 articles in outlets including PNAS, American Psychologist, and The Lancet Public Health, and her work has been cited by the US Supreme Court and contributed to UK Crown Prosecution Service guidance. She has successfully supported Marie Curie applicants in the past and brings extensive experience in developing competitive proposals and mentoring early-career researchers.

Host Institution

The University of Birmingham is a founding member of the Russell Group and ranks among the top 100 universities globally. The School of Psychology has internationally recognised expertise in forensic psychology, developmental science, mental health, and human brain health. The University also has an Interdisciplinary Data Science Institute and Institute for Advanced Studies, among many other prestigious centres and institutes.

Our applied memory lab is equipped with specialist facilities including a UK police image capture and ID suite, VR technology, eye-tracking systems, and psychophysiological recording equipment. Fellows benefit from strong links to criminal justice agencies and interdisciplinary research centres across the university.

Birmingham

Birmingham is the UK\’s second largest city, with excellent transport links, a vibrant cultural scene, and affordable living compared to London. The university\’s green campus is located in Edgbaston, just minutes from the city centre. We have a railway station and hotel on campus.

To Apply

If you are interested in preparing an MSCA-PF proposal with the University of Birmingham as Host Institution under the supervision of Professor Heather Flowe, please send your CV, a brief motivation letter, and a short research proposal (max 2 pages) via LinkedIn message by 1 February 2026.

To be eligible to start a fellowship by September 2027, you should be completing your PhD by summer 2026 or have completed it recently.

We look forward to hearing from strong candidates interested in advancing research on memory, law, and justice.

Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion

We value a diverse research environment and aim to be an inclusive university where difference is celebrated and respected. We welcome applications from under-represented groups.

Where to apply

E-mail a.williams.12@bham.ac.uk

Requirements

Research Field Psychological sciences » Cognitive science Education Level PhD or equivalent