Postdoctoral Research Associate in Early Modern History

Faculty of Environment, Science & Economy

We are recruiting to a new full-time post available from 1st Oct 2025 on a fixed term basis for 28 months.

The post

The Faculty wishes to recruit  at Postdoctoral Research Associate level to undertake archival research on five historic landed estates, focusing on the period (c. 1300-c.1600) for the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC)-funded ‘Informing contemporary UK land use policy through a sustainability assessment of farming systems in the medieval and early modern period’ research project. This project is led by Alex Inman within the Land Environment, Economy and Policy Institute (LEEP), University of Exeter Business School. This post will be jointly supervised by the project co-lead Henry French, Professor of early modern history in the Department of Archaeology and History.

About you

Applications are invited from candidates with strong skills in the following areas:

1. Experience of undertaking historical research in specialist libraries and archival collections with an understanding of handling and reproduction protocols
2. Strong background in the economic, social, agrarian or landscape history of Britain in medieval and/or early modern periods
3. Confidence in the use of database packages and spreadsheets in historical research
4. Evidence of producing peer-reviewed academic publications (including work in press).
5. Capability in and commitment to the presentation of research insights and outcomes to non-academic audiences
6. Experience of undertaking directed research and/or working as part of a research-team and/or experience of interdisciplinary research
7. An awareness of and familiarity with some of the following categories of record: manorial deeds, court rolls and accounts; estate accounts, surveys and rentals; maps and plans; common law court records (such as equity court depositions or pleadings); farm accounts; probate materials (wills and probate inventories); taxation records (clerical and lay subsidies, land taxes, tithe evidence, particularly tithe apportionments).
8. Ability to read and accurately transcribe records of the early modern period. A familiarity with archaic vocabulary and usage common in agricultural contexts are desirable.

What we can offer you

• Freedom (and the support) to pursue your intellectual interests and to work creatively across disciplines to produce internationally exciting research;
• Support teams that understand the University wide research and teaching goals and partner with our academics accordingly
• An Innovation, Impact and Business directorate that works closely with our academics providing specialist support for external engagement and development
• Our Exeter Academic initiative supporting high performing academics to achieve their potential and develop their career 

Our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Commitment

We are committed to ensuring reasonable adjustments are available for interviews and workplaces.

Whilst all applicants will be judged on merit alone, we particularly welcome applications from groups currently underrepresented within our working community. 

With over 30,000 students and 7,000 staff from 150 different countries we offer a diverse and engaging environment where our diversity is celebrated and valued as a major strength. We are committed to creating an inclusive culture where all members of our community are supported to thrive; where diverse voices are heard through our engagement with evidence-based charter frameworks for gender (Athena SWAN and Project Juno for Physics), race equality (Race Equality Charter Mark), LGBTQ+ inclusion (Stonewall Diversity Champion) and as a Disability Confident employer.

We are proud signatories of the Armed Forces Covenant and welcome applications from service people.

Further information

For general enquiries please contact Alex Inman, a.inman@exeter.ac.uk; or for more specifics contact Henry French: h.french@exeter.ac.uk.

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