Research Fellowship: The Collected Works of Mary Wollstonecraft

Department
The Department of English and Related Literature at the University of York are seeking a postdoctoral Research Fellow (12 months, Grade 6, 0.5 FTE) to join the project team for The Collected Works of Mary Wollstonecraft. The successful candidate will take up their post on 1 October 2026.

The appointment is funded by the Modern Humanities Research Association (MHRA). The MHRA Research Fellow will become a key team member on a large-scale textual editing project The Collected Works of Mary Wollstonecraft, a series of six volumes scheduled for publication by Oxford University Press between 2028 and 2032.

Role
The main duties and responsibilities of the job are:

• To undertake research for and assist in preparing the contexts of three volumes of The Collected Works of Mary Wollstonecraft for publication.
• To take charge of public engagement features of the edition, including a project webpage and regular blogs, and to contribute to academic and public-facing events relating to the edition.

As a member of the research team, you will work closely with the general editors and volume editors in preparing Volumes 1, 2, and 3 of The Collected Works of Mary Wollstonecraft for publication during the academic year 2026-27, and will facilitate and consolidate the project’s editorial structures and processes in preparation for the publication of later volumes. You will work on every step of the editing process from manuscript to publication.

Skills, Experience & Qualifications Needed

• PhD in the literature and culture of the eighteenth century or Romantic period (1750-1850), and/or a related area such as history, philosophy, gender studies or political science, or equivalent experience.
• Specialist knowledge of two or more of the following areas: literature and culture of the eighteenth century or Romantic period (1750-1850), textual editing, book history, histories of gender and sexuality.
• Knowledge of a range of research techniques and methodologies.
• Research expertise in an area that will complement and enhance the goals of the editorial team.
• Highly developed communication skills to engage effectively with wide-ranging audiences, both orally and in writing, using a range of media.
• Ability to write up research for publication and to engage in public dissemination.
• Ability to develop research objectives, projects and proposals for own and joint research, with the assistance of a mentor if required.
• Competency to conduct individual and collaborative research projects according to deadlines.
• Ability to work as part of a team and also to work independently using own initiative.
• Competency to deliver presentations at conferences and/or to exhibit work at other appropriate events.
• Experience of carrying out both independent and collaborative research.

Interview date: to be confirmed.

For informal enquiries: please contact Professor Mary Fairclough, mary.fairclough@york.ac.uk.

The University strives to be diverse and inclusive – a place where we can ALL be ourselves.

We particularly encourage applications from people who identify as Black, Asian or from a Minority Ethnic background, who are underrepresented at the University.

We offer family friendly, flexible working arrangements, with forums and inclusive facilities to support our staff. #EqualityatYork

As a Disability Confident employer, we will ensure that a fair and proportionate number of disabled applicants that meet the minimum (essential) criteria for each position will be offered an interview. Read more about the University of York’s commitments under the Disability Confident scheme.

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