Postdoctoral Research – Plague History, University of Stirling

Postdoctoral Research Position at University of Stirling, Scotland

About Position/Job

The University of Stirling invites applications for a Postdoctoral Research Fellow to investigate the Second Plague Pandemic in the Caucasus (c.1346–1700). This role is part of the ERC Synergy/UKRI-funded project “SYNERGY PLAGUE,” aiming to reconstruct the environmental and societal drivers of plague outbreaks across Eurasia between 1300 and 1900. The position offers a unique opportunity to contribute to an interdisciplinary team comprising experts in epidemiology, palaeoclimatology, plague biology, and history. The successful candidate will be based in the Division of History, Heritage and Politics at the University of Stirling and will conduct archival research in the Caucasus region, particularly Armenia.

Position/Job Details

Position: Postdoctoral Research Fellow
Institution: University of Stirling
Department: History, Heritage and Politics
Research Field: History
Location: Stirling, Scotland, UK
Number of Posts: 1
Job Type: Full-time, Fixed-term (36 months)
Start Date (Anticipated): September 2025
Working Hours: 35 hours per week
Salary Range: £38,249 – £45,413 per annum
Required Degree/Diploma: PhD

Research Area

History of the Second Plague Pandemic
Caucasian and Armenian historical studies
Environmental and societal impacts of pandemics
Interdisciplinary research involving history, epidemiology, and climatology

Eligibility & Qualifications

Minimum Requirements:

Completed PhD in Armenian history, Caucasian history, or a related discipline
Experience with late-medieval/early modern sources from the Caucasus, especially Armenia
Excellent command of spoken and written English
Proficiency in Classical and modern Armenian

Preferred Qualifications:

Knowledge of additional languages such as Classical Georgian, Middle/early modern Persian, or Ottoman Turkish
Experience in interdisciplinary research teams
A record of research publications in Armenian/Caucasian history
Enthusiasm for conducting interdisciplinary work

Key Responsibilities

Conduct archival and library research in the Caucasus region
Analyze and translate relevant historical sources
Contribute to the project’s database of global plague outbreaks
Present research findings at international conferences
Co-organize seminars and workshops at Stirling
Publish single-authored and co-authored journal articles or book chapters
Engage with the Centre for Environment, Heritage and Policy and other research activities at the University