Career Development Fellow in Modern World History (Job Number: 25000649)
Department of History
Grade 7: - £38,249-£45,413
Fixed Term - Full Time
Contract Duration: 24 months
Contracted Hours per Week: 35
Closing Date: 23-Jun-2025, 5:59:00 PM
Disclosure and Barring Service Requirement: Not Applicable.

EDUCATION

• Teach modules at undergraduate and/or postgraduate levels related to their research interests and disciplinary expertise, developing an awareness of different approaches to and methods of teaching and supporting student learning.
• The successful candidate will be asked to develop modules of their own design with guidance from the Director of Education and a departmental mentor, or to contribute to existing modules, as applicable to their area of expertise. These might include modules on aspects of modern African history or histories of British imperialism and the state, such as:
• Developing Africa
• The State We’re In: New Histories of Modern Britain
• Power in Africa
• Develop the ability to manage own teaching and designing, planning and writing of engaging and innovative teaching materials.
• Develop and deliver an inclusive curriculum and make an active contribution to an inclusive community in which diversity is embraced and celebrated.
• Supervise undergraduate and/or taught postgraduate students’ research, and where appropriate act as part of a PhD supervisory team.
• Provide student support, assessment of academic performance and provision of feedback, dealing with student disciplinary matters and complaints.

THE ROLE

The Department seeks to appoint a Career Development Fellow working on any aspect of modern or contemporary world history. We particularly welcome applications from historians working in the following areas: Medical Humanities; Environmental Humanities; Digital Humanities; Social Justice, Communities and Policy; Science and Humanities; and Culture, Creativity and Heritage. These themes are pivotal to the Department’s research, funding and education agenda and reflect themes that the Faculty of Arts and Humanities has identified as strategically important in responding to urgent global challenges. We welcome candidates working on contemporary world history broadly defined, but particularly seek applications from those working on African history, or histories of British imperialism (please note the Essential Criteria requires a PhD in modern world history).
This post offers an exciting opportunity to develop internationally excellent research and teaching while providing unrivalled, tailored support for your career progression at an exciting and progressive institution.
Given the developmental nature of this role, it is not anticipated that the post will be extended beyond the initial fixed term. Following the end of the term, the role-holder will be in a strong position to apply for relevant permanent academic roles, should they arise, at Durham or elsewhere.
Successful applicants are normally expected to be within 8 years of completing their PhD, although career breaks for parental leave and/or health reasons will be considered. This is because the roles are aimed at early career academics who would benefit from a structured development programme and provision of both formal and ‘on the job’ training. The posts are also open to those who are returning to academia after a career in another sector.
Successful applicants will, ideally, be in post by 1 September 2025.
The University provides a working and teaching environment that is inclusive and welcoming and where everyone is treated fairly with dignity and respect. Candidates will be expected to demonstrate these key principles as part of the assessment process.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

At the outset of the Fellowship, a personal development plan will be produced in discussion with the Head of Department. This will outline any training needs the post-holder may have and experience the post-holder wishes to gain to develop their academic career.
The development plan is a tool to assist the post-holder’s academic career progression and will be reviewed regularly during the Fellowship to ensure that development needs are being met.
During the course of the Career Development Fellowship, the successful candidate will gain valuable experience in a wide spectrum of academic activities. They will, for example: