Postdoctoral Research Associate (Inclusive Histories, Manchester - based)

Full-time, Fixed term for 16 months

Applications are invited for the post of Postdoctoral Research Associate in the School of Humanities.

Inclusive Histories is a collaborative research and schools engagement project aiming to support the more inclusive teaching of British political history as set out in the AQA Thematic GCSE specification, Britain: Power and the People: c1170 to the present day. As Research Associate you will play a key role in researching stories in the struggle for rights and representation that foreground the voice, experience and agency of traditionally marginalised groups. This includes but is not limited to stories relating to members of the global majority, LGBTQIA+ people, working class people, women and disabled people, as well as those with intersecting identities. Your focus will be the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. This research will be undertaken using the archives and collections of People’s History Museum (Manchester), where you will be based; the Working Class Movement Library (Salford); and, for up to 10 weeks of the project, Glasgow Women’s Library. This role includes a travel costs allowance of up to £1,000 with up to £3,500 in addition to support the travel and accommodation costs involved in undertaking research trips to Glasgow. 

You will have an interest in Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion in research and teaching settings, including participatory research; an interest in the history of rights and representation; excellent organisational skills; experience or a demonstrable aptitude for writing for non-academic audiences; and the ability to work on your own initiative and to act pro-actively. You will also be confident in the use of Microsoft Word and Teams, meeting targets, and with hybrid working. Experience of having conducted archival research with nineteenth and twentieth century collections is essential, and experience of researching or teaching nineteenth or twentieth century political or social history is desirable. This experience need not have been gained in a university role. Comparable experience gained in the heritage, secondary education or other settings is also welcome. 

In return we offer a highly competitive rewards and benefits package including:

Please note that this post is based at People’s History Museum, Left Bank, Spinningfields, Manchester, M3 3ER and entails regular research trips to the Working Class Movement Library (51 Crescent, Salford, M5 4WX) and up to 10 weeks at the Glasgow Women’s Library (23 Landressy Street, Bridgeon, Glasgow, G40 1BP).

For an informal discussion about the post, please contact Matthew Smith on matthew.smith@rhul.ac.uk

We are a Disability Confident Employer and provide an inclusive and accessible application process. We will interview all D/deaf, disabled and Neurodivergent applicants who meet the essential Person Specification criteria and provide any access requirements needed at interview. 

Candidates are welcome to submit a narrative CV and shortlisted candidates will receive the interview questions in advance.

Please quote the reference: 0924-277

Closing Date:   23:59, 28 October 2024 

Interview Date: 18 November 2024 at People’s History Museum

Closing Date: 28 Oct 2024

Section: Research

Salary: £37,099 per annum This is the expected starting salary for this post. Appointment at a higher point may be made for candidates who demonstrate exceptional skills and experience relevant to the role.