Research Fellow

1660-1832 HOUSE OF LORDS

The History of Parliament has a vacancy for a research fellow on its 1660-1832 House of Lords project. The successful candidate will have a PhD in British political or cultural history in the eighteenth century. They will join a small team of professional historians researching and writing the biographies of peers and bishops who sat in the Lords in the 1715-1790 period. They will also contribute to the project’s academic and public engagement activities and the development of new digital resources.

The 1660-1832 House of Lords project was founded in 1999 in response to a recognition that the History, which had previously covered only the Commons, needed to produce comparable work on the upper chamber. Given the long sweep of the project, it was conceived from the outset that it would be divided into three parts, and part one of the project, covering 1660-1715, was published in 2016. The project team is now mid-way through covering the second phase, covering the period 1715-1790. This is an exciting project that offers an opportunity to reappraise a key period in British history and the dynamic role the Lords played within it. 

Job description: Research Fellow

Working in the section with the editor, Dr Robin Eagles, the postholder will be responsible for:

• Researching, writing and revising biographies for the 1715-1790 volumes to a high academic standard, using online resources supplemented by work in libraries and archives using both printed and manuscript sources
• Delivering biographies to an agreed timeframe, making changes required by the editor
• Actively assisting the History of Parliament’s blogging, social media and engagement activities, preparing and delivering public talks, conference/seminar papers on themes related to the project, supporting the Trust’s wider academic engagement activities, and assisting with inquiries from the public, Parliament and the media
• Contributing to the History of Parliament’s development of new digital resources and helping to maintain existing databases and websites

This full-time appointment is initially for a fixed term of three years commencing on point 23 of our pay scale (currently £34,711 per annum). There will be a probationary period of eleven months from commencement. The post carries eligibility to join the Universities Superannuation Scheme. Hours are 35 hours per week and annual leave is 30 working days plus public holidays and dates in line with the closure of the Senate House offices of the University of London. 

Applications

If you would like to discuss any aspect of the appointment please contact the History of Parliament’s director Dr Jennifer Davey at jdavey@histparl.ac.uk or the project’s editor, Dr Robin Eagles at reagles@histparl.ac.uk.

Your application should include:

• An application form
• A recent CV
• A letter outlining your suitability for the role. Please refer to the person specification as a guide. Your letter should also include a brief 250 word statement highlighting a particular aspect of 18^th-century history that you believe is ripe for re-appraisal.
• A sample piece of work of c. 10,000 words.

Please send the above to the Office Manager, Adam Tucker, via the 'Apply' button (above)  by 16th February 2026. You must ensure that the job title is included in the email subject line.

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to attend an in-person interview in London on 5^th May 2026.

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