King's College London

About Us

King’s History department is an internationally-recognised centre for the study of the history of the world. Our undergraduate curriculum introduces students to world history from the early medieval period to the present; it then offers students pathways to study every continent through their second and third years. Our MA provision is similarly broad, developing students’ expertise in medieval, early modern and modern world history. We are an intellectual home for scholars of every region of the world, who use approaches which range from local micro-histories to large-scale quantitative analysis. We particularly value conversation between scholars of different periods and places, with different approaches.

About The Role

The Department of History at King’s College London invites applications for one 2-year and 5-month (29 month) Postdoctoral Research Associate (PDRA Crown of Aragon) to work on the project ‘ECOMEDS: Economic and cultural connections within Mediterranean ecosystems, c.1250-c.1550’ (a UKRI Frontier Research Grant, previously ERC).

The primary objective of PDRA (Crown of Aragon) is to collect data regarding the production, consumption and trade of four target commodities (coral, honey, citrus and cheese) through extensive archival research as part of a team that will include the Principal Investigator and another Research Associate working on Italian sources. The ability to work with archival sources and related secondary literature from Crown of Aragon specifically, and the region more broadly, is essential. Ability to work with archival sources from neighbouring or related regions is an advantage. The PDRA will expand their research skills through examination of other important regions within the region and its zones of contact as feasible. They are expected to have knowledge of the history and historiography of the region, to be able to connect this to the wider research questions of the project, and should have an interest particularly in the economic and environmental history of the region and the ability to develop expertise in these.

In addition, the post-holder will be expected to attend project meetings, seminars and conferences related to the project, give conference papers, and publish research papers. They will also undertake any other reasonable duties associated with the project as required by the PI, or within the Department as required by the Head of Department.

Abstract of project:

The medieval Mediterranean was home to diverse religions, ethnicities, languages, and political entities spread across innumerable landscapes and seascapes—on land inhabiting a shared biome defined by fire and resistance to it, and encompassing a sea of enormous biodiversity, in a complex and dynamic ecosystem.

ECOMEDS examines the interrelationships between economy, environment and culture in the Mediterranean, c.1250-1550. The project combines the history of the plant and animal life of the Mediterranean with the production of highly sought-after location-specific commodities whose trade in the Middle Ages drew together networks of producers, merchants, processors and consumers from different places, polities and communities. Four commodities will be examined: coral, honey, citrus, and cheese, each representing a different facet of this environment, each embedded in the cultural and economic life of the Mediterranean and beyond, and each traded over long distances.

Together, ECOMEDS will tie the environmental history of the Mediterranean to its economic activity and cultural exchange, shedding light on the long-term genesis and management of the land- and seascapes we inhabit today. 

Key responsibilities:

As Research Associate on the project, the post-holder will:

•        Carry out research and writing under the direction of the Principal Investigator

•        Plan research activity, including archival research, within the framework of the agreed programme

•        Analyse and interpret results of own research, and in collaboration with other members of the Project Team

•        Produce scholarly writing of an international standard, consistent with project and departmental objectives

•        Actively participate as a member of the research project team

•        Deliver specific pieces of work to an agreed timeline

•        Assist with such other work as may be reasonably requested by the Principal Investigator

•        Engage, when appropriate, in the dissemination of advanced research through outreach, continuing professional development, etc.

Skills, knowledge, and experience:

The post-holder will be expected to have:

•        Ability to plan own day-to-day research activity within the framework of the agreed programme 

•        Ability to carry out relevant archival research, including the relevant palaeographic and linguistic skills

•        Understanding of the region under study, its history and historiography

•        Experience of or interest in the economic and environmental history of the region

•        Experience of working with quantitative material or capacity to learn

•        Ability to meet deadlines and ensure the timely completion of project requirements within relevant budget 

•        Ability to communicate in English to a high standard orally and in writing

This is a full time post, and you will be offered a fixed term contract until 30 September 2027.

About You

To be successful in this role, we are looking for candidates to have the following skills and experience:

Essential criteria

1. PhD qualified in relevant subject area (or pending results) 
2. Good research skills in historical methods
3. Ability to work with historical data or the capacity to learn
4. Knowledge and/or interest in economic and environmental history
5. Ability to work individually and as part of a team
6. Good writing and communication skills
7. Ability to think flexibly with regard to archival research

Desirable criteria

1. Ability to work with late medieval/early modern archival sources from other regions of southern Europe or adjacent regions
2. Enthusiasm for research and departmental life

Downloading a copy of our Job Description

Full details of the role and the skills, knowledge and experience required can be found in the Job Description document, provided at the bottom of the next page after you click “Apply Now”. This document will provide information of what criteria will be assessed at each stage of the recruitment process.

Further Information 

We pride ourselves on being inclusive and welcoming. We embrace diversity and want everyone to feel that they belong and are connected to others in our community.

We are committed to working with our staff and unions on these and other issues, to continue to support our people and to develop a diverse and inclusive culture at King's. We ask all candidates to submit a copy of their CV, and a supporting statement, detailing how they meet the essential criteria listed in the advert. If we receive a strong field of candidates, we may use the desirable criteria to choose our final shortlist, so please include your evidence against these where possible.

To find out how our managers will review your application, please take a look at our ‘How we Recruit’ pages.