Postdoctoral Researcher - UNSEEN Project
Overview
The University of Oxford invites applications for a postdoctoral researcher position within the Faculty of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies and the Khalili Research Centre. This role is tied to the interdisciplinary UNSEEN project and reports to the Principal Investigator. The successful candidate will conduct original research focusing on slavery, ransoming mechanisms, and the movement of Islamic material culture and knowledge between Europe and the Ottoman world during the 16th and 17th centuries. Responsibilities include utilizing Ottoman and Arabic archival documents, literary sources such as captivity accounts, and pious endowments regarding the ransoming of enslaved Muslims.
Additional duties involve carrying out archival research in Türkiye, writing academic publications, presenting findings at international venues, helping co-organize workshops and conference panels, and collaborating on broader project goals. The appointment is a fixed-term contract lasting 24 months, with an option to extend for an additional year depending on project progress.
Who can apply
Applicants must hold a PhD or DPhil, or be very close to completing one, in fields such as early modern history, Islamic art history, or Ottoman history. Candidates should possess research interests that align with slavery or the cross-regional circulation of knowledge and material culture. Excellent proficiency in Turkish and Ottoman Turkish is required, alongside practical experience in handling relevant archival materials. Furthermore, candidates must have the capability to perform independent, innovative research while functioning effectively in a collaborative team setting.
What you get
The position offers a salary ranging from £39,424 to £41,636 per annum, corresponding to Grade 7, points 1 through 3.
Requirements
Applicants must submit a curriculum vitae, a supporting statement detailing how their experience and skills meet the selection criteria, a writing sample, and contact information for two referees.
Key dates
The application deadline is 12:00 pm on Sunday, 6 December 2026.
About University of Oxford
The University of Oxford is a collegiate research university in Oxford, England. Teaching there is documented from the late eleventh century, which makes it one of the oldest universities in the world, although its exact founding date is unknown. It has no single central campus, and its buildings are spread throughout the city. Every student belongs to a college, and the colleges operate alongside the university's academic departments, which are grouped into divisions.
Source: Wikipedia
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