The John Rylands Research Institute brings together experts from The University of Manchester Library and the University’s Faculty of Humanities in a unique partnership to reveal and explore hidden ideas and knowledge contained within our world-leading Special Collections. We are creating an international community of scholars across many disciplines to support outstanding research and to bring this information to the wider public in exciting and innovative ways.

The Library’s Special Collections count among the foremost repositories of primary sources in the UK, with research potential across an exceptionally broad array of disciplines. Manuscript collections span 4,000 years and over fifty languages, from Gilgamesh to Gaskell. There are hundreds of archives, with particular strengths in modern literature, Protestant nonconformism, and British economic, social and political history. Our famous rare book collections range from the pioneering days of Gutenberg and Caxton via exceptionally fine collections of early Italian printing to examples of street literature and counter-cultures. Collections of art and visual culture abound, in particular photographic collections from the inception of photography to contemporary photography. Comprehensive collections of UK and world maps include specialist holdings of topographic and thematic mapping of the British North-West, in particular Manchester.

We now invite applications from postdoctoral researchers for Visiting Fellowships within the John Rylands Research Institute. Successful applicants will be reimbursed expenses of up to £1,500 per month for up to three months, to cover travel, accommodation and living expenses during the Fellowship.

Applicants must demonstrate a serious research interest that focuses on primary source material within our Special Collections. Fellows will be encouraged to work collaboratively with curators and other subject specialists to realize the collections’ research potential, and to adopt innovative research methodologies.

Applications should consist of a 500-word project outline and a short CV (up to two pages). To be sent by email to Ms Silke Schaeper, Administrator of the John Rylands Research Institute (silke.schaeper@manchester.ac.uk) by Thursday, 31 October 2013.