Lecturer in History

Weekly Working Hours: 18.5

Fixed Term Contract: End Date: 31 January 2029

Welsh Language: Not Applicable

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About the Role

This is an exciting opportunity to join The Open University as a Lecturer in Early Modern History on a fixed-term, part-time (0.5 FTE) contract until 31 January 2029. You will play a key role in supporting and developing our current and future early modern curriculum, contributing to some combination of our British, European and Global history modules, our interdisciplinary modules, and our postgraduate teaching.

You must be motivated by our unique mission, and about working in teams to produce a wide range of history teaching suitable for distance learning. We are looking for a colleague who can write in a lively and engaging style, has the interest and potential to develop innovative distance learning materials, and is committed to offering a broad range of teaching. You will play a key role in supporting and developing our current and future early modern curriculum, primarily through some combination of our undergraduate British, European and Global history modules, and may also contribute to interdisciplinary modules and postgraduate teaching.

Candidates must have a research specialism in early modern history (c.1500–c.1800), ideally focused on Tudor England, though we welcome applications from those working on Britain, Ireland or Europe more broadly.

You will be expected to contribute to the next research assessment exercise in line with career stage. The History Department had over 75% of its research rated as ‘internationally excellent’ or ‘world leading’ in the 2021 Research Excellence Framework and hosts a number of research council-funded projects. It has a strong commitment to cross-disciplinary work, to national and international public engagement, and to creative partnerships with a range of cultural organisations.

Key Responsibilities

You will be expected to contribute to the teaching, research and administration of the School, Faculty and University in the following ways:

Teaching

• To contribute individually and as part of teams to the development, planning and delivery of high quality and successful curriculum at undergraduate and/or postgraduate levels, in History.
• To prepare distance learning materials and assessment suitable for the teaching and learning methodologies used by The Open University, with particular attention to the needs of distance learners.
• To contribute to the presentation of Open University modules. This includes the setting of assessments/examinations, monitoring samples of marking undertaken by Associate Lecturers, membership of examination boards, contributing to Associate Lecturer and student forums, and offering occasional ‘learning events’ which may occur in evenings or at weekends.

Research

• To conduct high quality research that will contribute to knowledge and understanding and enhance the discipline’s performance at the next REF and/or other research audits.
• To take a collaborative part in fostering the History Department’s shared and vibrant culture of research and scholarship.
• To generate income in support of research appropriate to career stage.
• To seek to make research relevant to teaching and broader practitioner and public audiences as appropriate.

Academic Management

• To take on and perform academic leadership and administrative tasks and play an active part in the School and Faculty, as required by the Head of History.
• To comply with all relevant statutory requirements, Codes of Practice, University Policies and Health and Safety Requirements.

About You

Essential

• A postgraduate degree (or equivalent) in History or a cognate area (preferably a PhD).
• Research and teaching experience pertaining to early modern Britain, Ireland or Europe.
• Ability or readiness to prepare printed and online teaching materials for distance learning, and to support modules in presentation through online and face-to-face learning events and the preparation of assessment materials.
• Enthusiasm for supporting distance learning and for the application of technologies to teaching and supporting students.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, including the ability to write in a way that will engage students of all levels.
• A track record of being able to, or a willingness to, work collaboratively with others, alongside the ability to work independently.
• A developing profile of research and publication of internationally excellent quality that complements and enhances History research at The Open University, commensurate with career stage.
• Ability to balance a portfolio of diverse work commitments, setting priorities appropriately.
• Ability to carry out the role in a way that is consistent with equality legislation and University policies.

Desirable

• Research expertise in Tudor England.
• Evidence of working with and producing online and/or distance learning materials.
• Evidence of ability and desire to teach some themes and areas significantly beyond, though perhaps related to, core expertise.
• Willingness to contribute to interdisciplinary teaching
• A FE/HE teaching qualification or Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy.
• Evidence of applying for or receiving research funding commensurate with career stage.
• Experience of public engagement and/or working or engagement with practitioners in fields related to your research (for instance museums, public history institutions or communities), appropriate for career stage.

Support with your application

If you have any questions, or need support or adjustments relating to your application, the recruitment process, or the role, please contact us on 01908 541111 or email careers@open.ac.uk quoting the advert reference number.

What's in it for you?

At The Open University, we offer a range of benefits to recognise and reward great work, alongside policies and flexible working that contribute towards a great work life balance. Get all the details of what benefits we offer by visiting our Staff Benefits page (clicking this link will open a new window).

Flexible working

We are open to discussions about flexible working. Whether it’s a job share, part time, compressed hours or another working arrangement. Please reach out to us to discuss what works best for you.

Work location

It is anticipated that a hybrid working pattern can be adopted for this role, allowing you to work from both home and the office. However, as this role is contractually aligned to our Milton Keynes office, some attendance at the office will be required as necessary to meet business needs. We would expect this to be approximately once per month to attend academic community and module team meetings. Travel expenses associated with journeys to Milton Keynes are not reimbursable.

Next steps in the Recruitment process

Interviews are anticipated to take place week commencing 16 November 2026. Assessment details are to be confirmed.

Early closing date notification

While most roles will remain open until the advertised closing date, applications may be reviewed on an ongoing basis. In some cases, vacancies may close earlier if a sufficient number of suitable applications have been received and equality impacts have been appropriately considered. All roles will remain advertised for a minimum of one week before any early closure is implemented.

If you have started an application or were in the process of applying when the advert closed, we encourage you to get in touch. We are committed to understanding individual circumstances and can offer further support where needed, including reasonable adjustments for applicants with protected characteristics.

How to apply

To apply for this role, please submit the following as separate documents;

• CV
• Supporting statement, up to 1,500 words, you should set out in your statement why you’re interested in this role and provide examples of where your skills and experience meet the required competencies for this role as detailed in the job and person specification.

You can view your progress and application communications when you are logged into our recruitment system. Please check your spam/junk folders if you do not receive associated email updates. 

Closing date: 23:59pm on Sunday 25^th October 2026