Postdoctoral Research Fellow University of Edinburgh

• College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences/ School of History, Classics and Archaeology/ History
• Full time (35 hours per week)
• Fixed term 1st October 2024 until 30th September 2027

We are looking for a postdoctoral research fellow to work on the AHRC-funded project ‘Global Socio-Economic Rights, Local Contexts: Work in East Africa and Western Europe, 1880 to the Present’

The Opportunity:

This post is fixed-term and full-time (35 hours per week), from 1 October 2024 to 30 September 2027.

We are looking for a highly motivated and professional individual to work on the AHRC -funded project ‘Global Socio-Economic Rights, Local Contexts: Work in East Africa and Western Europe, 1880 to the Present’. The project investigates how contemporaries since the late nineteenth century, and especially between the end of the Second World War and global economic downturn in 1973, have understood and expressed socio-economic rights: in particular, related to work (or choosing not to work), to earn one's own money and to maintain certain 'living standards'. With a global perspective, it explores four connected case studies: the UK, Germany, Kenya and Tanzania. This project suggests that work is central to understandings of social rights. It asks how ideas about and policies on work-related rights have been articulated in different settings, over time, and diffused globally, through interpersonal and international connections, new developments in international law and changing experiences of and expectations about the relationship between the economy, society and the state. It also reflects on the specific sociological contexts and connotations of ideas about rights related to work, including how women, ethnic and religious minorities, children and the elderly, have fitted into and shaped discussions and policies.

The fieldwork for this post will be undertaken primarily in the United Kingdom, Kenya and Tanzania.

Your skills and attributes for success: 

• a completed PhD in African History, Global History or related discipline which demonstrates research expertise pertinent to this project. 
• proven expertise in the historical research techniques required for the project.
• demonstrated quality of research performance.
• proven ability to work independently and to meet deadlines.

Click to view a copy of the full job description (opens new browser tab) 

As a valued member of our team you can expect: 

• A competitive salary
• An exciting, positive, creative, challenging and rewarding place to work. 
• To be part of a diverse and vibrant international community
• Comprehensive Staff Benefits, such as a generous holiday entitlement, a defined benefits pension scheme, staff discounts, family-friendly initiatives, and flexible work options. Check out the full list on our staff benefits page (opens in a new tab) and use our reward calculator to discover the total value of your pay and benefits 

Championing equality, diversity and inclusion

The University of Edinburgh holds a Silver Athena SWAN award in recognition of our commitment to advance gender equality in higher education. We are members of the Race Equality Charter and we are also Stonewall Scotland Diversity Champions, actively promoting LGBT+ equality. 

Prior to any employment commencing with the University you will be required to evidence your right to work in the UK. Further information is available on our right to work webpages (opens new browser tab)

The University is able to sponsor the employment of international workers in this role. If successful, an international applicant requiring sponsorship to work in the UK will need to satisfy the UK Home Office’s English Language requirements and apply for and secure a Skilled Worker Visa. 

Key dates to note

Unless stated otherwise the closing time for applications is 11:59pm GMT. If you are applying outside the UK the closing time on our adverts automatically adjusts to your browsers local time zone. The Panel will consist of colleagues from the University of Edinburgh and the project PI who is external to the University of Edinburgh and is based at a separate UK University. Applications will be shared with all panel members as part of the recruitment process. A basic disclosure check may be required for this role.

We expect interviews to be held online on Wednesday 5 June 2024.

Application Process

The recruitment panel will consistent of colleagues from the University of Edinburgh and the project PI who is external to the University of Edinburgh and is based at a separate UK University. Applications will be shared with all panel members as part of the recruitment process.

Applications should include a cover letter and a CV. 

Applicants should provide contact details for referees to be contacted if successful at the shortlisting stage. Applicants who do not wish for anyone to be contacted until after an offer has been made, should indicate this on their application.

Informal enquiries about the post may be made to Professor Emma Hunter, Emma.Hunter@ed.ac.uk 

ABOUT US

As a world-leading research-intensive University, we are here to address tomorrow’s greatest challenges. Between now and 2030 we will do that with a values-led approach to teaching, research and innovation, and through the strength of our relationships, both locally and globally.

ABOUT THE TEAM

The School of History, Classics and Archaeology is part of the College of the Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, founded in August 2002. It is co-located in a completely refurbished 'A' listed building designed by the distinguished Scottish architect, Sir Robert Rowand Anderson in the nineteenth century, with state of the art facilities for staff and students. 

The School combines the expertise of the departments of History, Classics and Archaeology.

Though each department has its own areas of special concern, there are many activities and interests in common and important synergies between disciplines. There is a full programme of seminars and conferences, and close links are also maintained with subjects in other Schools. 

We are one of the largest, most distinguished and most highly ranked centres for the study of the human past in Europe, with over 140 teaching, research and administrative staff. Teaching is provided to around 1500 undergraduate and over 300 postgraduate students drawn from some 40 countries. Around 600 of our students are from outside the UK, reflecting the School's high international reputation.  

The range of choice in our programmes is remarkably diverse while at the same time the structure allows for study in depth of particular areas, themes and periods. The departments have an outstanding international reputation for research and enjoy a very lively research culture. 

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