Research Associate in Early Modern Global History

KINGS COLLEGE LONDON; United Kingdom; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A prestigious university in the UK is seeking a full-time Post-Doctoral Research Associate for a two-year project on New Christian Materiality. The role involves preparing an exhibition and writing academic articles, requiring a PhD in Early Modern History and language skills in at least two of Spanish, Portuguese, or Italian. The position offers a salary range of £45,031 - £49,871 per annum.

Qualifications

• Successfully awarded PhD or submission of thesis for PhD.
• Strong knowledge of New Christian history.
• Experience in research teamwork.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to the preparation of an exhibition.
• Write two academic articles.
• Analyze material culture of New Christians.

Skills

PhD in Early Modern History

Reading capacity of Spanish, Portuguese, and Italian

Awareness of early modern Southern Europe

Ability to work independently and in a team

Awareness of database operations

Capacity for preparing meetings

Education

PhD in relevant field

Job description

Offer Description

About us

King’s History is an intellectual home for scholars of every region of the world, who use approaches which range from local micro-histories to large-scale quantitative analysis. We particularly value conversation between scholars of different periods and places, with different approaches. We also value the close connection between historical research and the world beyond the academy.

About the role

Full-time two-year Post-Doctoral Research Associate to work on the ERC project New Christian Materiality 1450-1750 (Materia), specifically on New Christian Visual Materiality, which will start on January 1, 2026. The project is based in the Department of History, King’s College London. The PDRA will be expected to work closely with the PI, Professor Francisco Bethencourt, and the rest of the project team, composed of two other PDRA, two PhD students, and one Research Associate.

The purpose is to contribute to the preparation of an exhibition and to write two academic articles. Research will be guided by the following question: How did New Christians use material culture to enhance their social status, market their commodities, and shape patterns of consumption? The analysis of houses, villas, palaces, and endowed chapels owned by New Christians will be at stake, as well as collections of art, furniture and exotica in inventories of property. The researcher must have the capacity to participate actively in teamwork while developing this line of inquiry.

This post will be offered on a full-time fixed term contract from January 1, 2026 or as soon as possible thereafter for 2 years.

About you

To be successful in this role, we are looking for candidates to have the following skills and experience:

• PhD awarded in Early Modern History*
• Reading capacity of Spanish, Portuguese, and Italian (at least two of these languages)
• Awareness of early modern Southern Europe and New Christian history
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Awareness of database operations
• Capacity for preparing meetings related to the expertise area

Downloading a copy of our Job Description

Full details of the role and the skills, knowledge and experience required can be found in the Job Description document, provided at the bottom of the page. This document will provide information of what criteria will be assessed at each stage of the recruitment process.

* Please note that this is a PhD level role but candidates who have submitted their thesis and are awaiting award of their PhDs will be considered. In these circumstances the appointment will be made at Grade 5, spine point 30 with the title of Research Assistant. Upon confirmation of the award of the PhD, the job title will become Research Associate and the salary will increase to Grade 6.

Further information

We pride ourselves on being inclusive and welcoming. We embrace diversity and want everyone to feel that they belong and are connected to others in our community.

We are committed to working with our staff and unions on these and other issues, to continue to support our people and to develop a diverse and inclusive culture at King's. It is our aim to develop candidate pools that include applicants from all backgrounds and communities.

We ask all candidates to submit a copy of their CV, and a supporting statement, detailing how they meet the essential criteria listed in the advert. If we receive a strong field of candidates, we may use the desirable criteria to choose our final shortlist, so please include your evidence against these where possible.

To find out how our managers will review your application, please take a look at our ‘How we Recruit’ pages.

Interviews are scheduled for 21st October.

Grade and Salary: £45,031 - £49,871 per annum, including London Weighting Allowance

Job ID: 125066

Close Date: 05-Oct-2025

Contact Person: Professor Francisco Bettencourt

Contact Details: [e-mail]