Marie Skłodowska-Curie Postdoctoral Fellowship in Psychology of Memory, Law, and Global Justice University of Birmingham in United Kingdom

The University of Birmingham's School of Psychology invites applications for the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Postdoctoral Fellowship (MSCA-PF) in the field of Psychology of Memory, Law, and Global Justice. This prestigious opportunity is designed for motivated researchers seeking to advance their careers and contribute to impactful research on how legal systems gather and use memory evidence. The School of Psychology is internationally recognised for its expertise in forensic psychology, eyewitness memory, and global justice, and offers a vibrant, interdisciplinary research environment.

Research areas of interest for this fellowship include eyewitness identification procedures, lineup design, confidence-accuracy calibration, metamemory, interactive and VR-based identification technologies, police interviewing, investigative memory retrieval, memory for traumatic events (including sexual violence), intoxicated witnesses, child and adolescent witness testimony, technology-assisted documentation of sexual and gender-based violence, interview training for humanitarian responders, behavioural crime linkage, and policy translation of psychological research to legal practice.

As a Fellow, you will join a research team with over 20 years of impact on legal practice and policy, access specialist facilities such as a UK police image capture and ID suite, VR technology, eye-tracking, and psychophysiological recording equipment, and benefit from strong links to the criminal justice system through the Centre for Crime, Justice and Policing, Institute for Mental Health, P-ACE LAB, and CENTRE-UB. The group maintains international collaborations with partners in the US, Canada, Australia, Kenya, and Europe, and offers access to BPS-accredited forensic psychology programmes and extensive partnerships with criminal justice agencies.

Two fellowship tracks are available: European Postdoctoral Fellowships (1-2 years, open to researchers moving within or to Europe) and Global Postdoctoral Fellowships (2-3 years, with an initial phase outside Europe and a mandatory return phase in Europe, open to EU nationals or long-term residents). Selected applicants will receive comprehensive support in preparing their MSCA-PF application, including guidance on budgets and facilities.

The main supervisor for this fellowship is Professor Heather Flowe, Professor of Psychology at the University of Birmingham. Professor Flowe is an internationally recognised expert in eyewitness memory, police interviewing, and documentation of sexual and gender-based violence. She has secured over £8 million in research funding, published extensively in top journals, and her work has influenced legal practice and policy at the highest levels.

The University of Birmingham is a founding member of the Russell Group and ranks among the top 100 universities globally. Its School of Psychology is renowned for research in forensic psychology, developmental science, mental health, and human brain health. The university offers state-of-the-art facilities and a supportive, inclusive research environment. Birmingham itself is the UK's second largest city, offering excellent transport links, a vibrant cultural scene, and affordable living.

Eligibility requirements include holding a PhD or equivalent by the call deadline, no more than eight years of research experience since PhD award (excluding career breaks), compliance with mobility rules, and a strong research background in relevant topics. To apply, send your CV, motivation letter, and a short research proposal (max 2 pages) via LinkedIn message by 1 February 2026. For further information, contact [email protected].

The University of Birmingham values diversity and inclusion, welcoming applications from under-represented groups. This is an exceptional opportunity to join a world-class research team and make a significant contribution to the fields of memory, law, and global justice.