Director of the Voltaire Foundation

Location: Voltaire Foundation, 99 Banbury Road, OX2 6JX

The University of Oxford is seeking a Director to lead the Voltaire Foundation.

The Voltaire Foundation, originally established thanks to the philanthropy of Theodore Besterman, has developed into a world leading centre for Enlightenment Studies. Based on its publication of the complete works of Voltaire, and also other French thinkers of the Enlightenment, the Foundation has now become a pioneer in Digital Enlightenment Studies, both in terms of research and publishing. The ambition is to extend its role further as a digital centre of excellence and into the broader world of the Enlightenment as represented by other 18th century thinkers and countries.

The successful candidate will provide intellectual vision and strategic leadership to the Foundation. They will also lead a fundraising campaign to increase the endowment and the future financial sustainability of the Foundation and its ambitious programme of digital publication.

The post is open to academics with an international reputation and leadership profile within the Humanities. Preference will be given to candidates with a strong research track record on eighteenth-century or Enlightenment history or literature, and with an interest in academic publication.

The Director will play a key role in enhancing the Foundation’s international reputation and developing relationships across the University, with external bodies and the wider public and fostering a vibrant intellectual environment within the Foundation and across the Humanities Division.

The Director will work in close collaboration with colleagues in Oxford working in the area of the Enlightenment and Digital Humanities, as well as with colleagues at other institutions across the world.

The successful candidate will be a member of the appropriate Faculty within the Humanities Division, and be eligible for a college fellowship.

Applications must be made online. You will be required to upload a CV and a supporting statement explaining why you consider yourself particularly suited to this position, with reference to the essentials of the person specification.

Only applications received by 12.00 noon on Friday 9 January 2026 will be considered.

The University of Oxford is committed to equal opportunity, and to being a place where everyone belongs and is supported to succeed. We recognise how the diversity of our community enriches our ability to deliver on our academic mission.

We welcome applications from individuals from all backgrounds, including those under-represented within higher education. No applicant or members of staff shall be unlawfully discriminated against on the basis of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation.

Employment with the University and progression within employment will be determined according to personal merit and the application of criteria related to the duties and conditions of the post. In all cases, the primary consideration will be the ability to perform the job.

As stated in the University’s Equality Policy and Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Strategic Plan, our commitment to equality and diversity goes hand in hand with our commitment to academic freedom and free speech.

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