Job Description

The Judith E. Wilson Poetry Fellowship is designed to enable practising poets to spend a period as members of the Faculty of English, bringing together the practice of poetry and their academic study. The cost of the Fellowship is met from the Judith E. Wilson Fund, formed from a donation to the Faculty of English by Judith E. Wilson, a life-long friend of Dame Edith Evans.


We are seeking a highly respected practitioner in poetry nationally and/or internationally, with the potential to make a significant contribution to the research, teaching and cultural life of the Faculty. The Fellowship is available for nine months from 15 September 2026.


The Fellow is expected to reside in Cambridge during that period and will, it is hoped, be affiliated with a Cambridge College. They will also be invited to take some part in the work of the Faculty, by arranging workshops or readings (including, in term, three hours of formal contact time for students per week), and to pursue their own projects. The role is designed to further the writing of poetry, rather than academic research. The Judith E. Wilson Committee will discuss a possible programme of work with the successful candidate.


Your application, made online, should include: a covering letter; your Curriculum Vitae, including a full list of publications; 10 pages of written work, together with a project proposal of no more than 1000 words including an indication of how you would support students; the names of two referees.


Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available for 9 months in the first instance.



Informal enquiries are welcomed and should be directed to Professor Drew Milne, Chair of the Judith E. Wilson Committee at agm33@cam.ac.uk.


If you have any queries regarding the application process, please contact Ms Vicky Aldred, Assistant Faculty Administrator at administator@english.cam.ac.uk


The closing date for applications is midnight (GMT) on Wednesday 4th February 2026.


Interviews are planned for Monday 9th March 2026.


Please quote reference GG48301 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.


The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.


The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.



Key information

Department/location

Faculty of English

Salary

47,389-59,966

Reference

GG48301

Category

Research

Date published

6 January 2026

Closing date

4 February 2026