PhD studentship on Early Modern Global History

The PhD student will be part of the ERC-funded research project New Christian Materiality 1450–1750 (Materia), based at the Department of History, King’s College London. It focuses on the descendants of Iberian violently converted Jews and their material culture worldwide. The studentship will be for three years (from June 1, 2026, to May 31, 2029). The PhD student will develop her/his/their own dissertation under the supervision of the project PI, Professor Francisco Bethencourt. Two possible areas of research are suggested: New Christian material expertise in Asia, and the Environmental Impact of New Christians in the Atlantic. There is scope for accepting other proposals within the area of New Christian material culture.

Key Responsibilities

Research and Scholarship

• Conduct individual doctoral research aligned with the project’s themes.
• Contribute to collaborative research within the Materia team.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge in relevant scholarly fields.

Communication

• Communicate complex and specialist information clearly, both orally and in writing.
• Present research findings to academic and public audiences.

Teamwork and Collaboration

• Work closely with other team members on shared areas of interest.
• Participate actively in project meetings and departmental activities.

Initiative and Problem Solving

• Use creativity and initiative to identify new research questions and methods.
• Contribute to shaping the project’s broader research direction through collaboration.

Workload and Environment

• Balance research with administrative tasks and deadlines, with appropriate support.
• Be mindful of health and safety responsibilities and how the work environment affects yourself and others.

Expertise and Development

• Possess or develop specialist knowledge of the relevant historical period, themes, and research methods.
• Engage in ongoing professional development and training.
• Be aware of equality and diversity considerations in research content and practice.

The above list of responsibilities may not be exhaustive, and the post holder will be required to undertake such tasks and responsibilities as may reasonably be expected within the scope and grading of the post.

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