Koch History Centre Fellowship

The Koch History Centre provides a new institutional home in Oxford for the pursuit of world-class historical research. Funded initially for 5 years, the Centre received its first intake of fellows in 2025. The Centre aims to promote curiosity-driven humanities research with a strong emphasis on multi- and inter-disciplinary approaches to the study of history.  The Centre has its home at Wadham College, Parks Rd, Oxford OX1 3PN, and the Faculty of History, which is based in the new, purpose-built Stephen A Schwarzman Centre for the Humanities, Radcliffe Observatory Quarter, Woodstock Road, Oxford OX2 6GG.

The Centre appoints 9 Fellows each year. The emphasis on attracting early-career scholars flows from the desire to nurture outstanding researchers, who will shape the field for the next generation. Fellowships will be for one year (i.e., 12 months), and are open to any postdoctoral, early career (tenure track) or tenured academic within 10 years of being awarded their PhD at the time of application.

Allowances will be made in the assessment of an applicant’s track record within this 10-year limit for periods of maternity or carers leave, and illness. Extensions to the 10-year limit will not be made, but those beyond this are encouraged to apply to the Senior Fellowship positions.

Please ensure that you have applied to the correct ad for your situation, as ineligible Fellowship applications will not automatically be considered for Senior Fellowships.

The theme chosen for 2026-7 is Scarcity and Abundance. Given the Centre’s commitment to attracting historians with expertise in a broad range of periods and cultures, these terms should be understood as widely as possible. We welcome applications from scholars of ancient history through to contemporary history, and across all geographical and thematic ranges.

You will hold a relevant PhD/DPhil with post-qualification research experience (postdoctoral, early career (tenure track) or tenured academic within 10 years of being awarded a PhD at the time of application), with an established (inter)national reputation and publication record. You will also possess sufficient specialist knowledge in the discipline to develop research projects and methodologies, and have the ability to independently plan and manage a research project.

This post is full time, fixed-term for 12 months.

All practical and procedural queries should be sent to recruitments@history.ox.ac.uk. All enquiries will be treated in strict confidence; they will not form part of the selection decision.

You will be required to complete a three-page supporting statement, setting out how you meet the selection criteria for the post and including details of your proposed project, a three-page curriculum vitae, and the names and contact details of two referees as part of your online application. Please check the further particulars for more detailed instructions on formatting and what these documents should include.

Only applications submitted online and received before noon Wednesday 17th December 2025 can be considered.

Please note that you will receive an automated email from our online recruitment portal to confirm receipt of your application. Please check your spam/junk mail if you do not receive this email. You may also receive updates or questions on your application via the same means.

Please be aware that due to the volume of applications we receive, we are unable to provide feedback on unsuccessful applications.