Postdoctoral Research Assistant: James Murray and the Correspondence Networks of the Oxford English Dictionary, 1879–1915

Location: The Stephen A Schwarzman Centre for the Humanities, Woodstock Road, Oxford, OX2 6GG

Contract type: Fixed Term (54 months) from 1 January 2027 until 30 June 2031

Hours: Part Time

About the role

The Faculty of English Language and Literature invites applications for two Postdoctoral Research Assistants to support ‘James Murray and the Correspondence Networks of the Oxford English Dictionary, 1879–1915’, a project led by Dr Stephen Turton and funded by a Starting Grant from the European Research Council. Both posts are part-time (80%) and will run for 54 months (four and a half years). The starting salary is £39,424 (pro-rata) per annum, with annual incremental progression. The two successful candidates will work closely with each other and with Dr Turton throughout the period of employment.

Applicants should indicate in a cover letter whether they are applying for the post of Research Assistant 1 or Research Assistant 2, based on the responsibilities and criteria outlined in the job description.

The project aims to transform the study of English lexicography and allied research fields by creating a research platform based on the letters of James A. H. Murray. From 1879 to 1915, Murray was the chief editor of the Oxford English Dictionary (OED), the foremost historical dictionary of the English language. The letters sent to and by Murray provided him and his colleagues with vital information on words and texts from scholars, authors, and volunteers spread across six continents. Despite the letters’ immense literary, linguistic, and historical value, they have never been systematically edited and published beyond a small pilot edition co-created by Stephen Turton and Charlotte Brewer (www.MurrayScriptorium.org).

This project will digitize the largest collection of Murray’s editorial letters, held by Oxford’s Bodleian Libraries.

About you

You will have a PhD/DPhil in English, Linguistics, or a related field, together with experience in handling and transcribing archival materials. You will also have excellent communicative and organizational skills, with an aptitude for collaborative and interdisciplinary work.

The duties and skills required are described in further detail in the job description.

Application process

Applications for this vacancy are to be made online via www.recruit.ox.ac.uk and Vacancy ID 188559 or via this link direct to the advertisement where the job description and access to the online recruitment system can also be found.

For your online application, you will be required to upload your curriculum vitae and a supporting statement, setting out how you meet the selection criteria for the post, using examples of your skills and experience. As part of your application, you will be asked to provide details of two referees and indicate whether we can contact them now.

Any further enquires may be directed to Theresa Phillips at recruitment@ell.ox.ac.uk

The closing date for applications is 12.00 noon on 16 October 2026. Only applications received before this time can be considered.

Interviews are expected to be held week commencing 26 October 2026 or as soon as possible thereafter.

Please quote Vacancy ID 188559 on all correspondence.

Committed to equality and valuing diversity

Contact Person: Theresa Phillips

Contact Email: recruitment@ell.ox.ac.uk

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