Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Sri Lankan History – University of Cambridge, UK
About Position/Job
The University of Cambridge is seeking a full-time Postdoctoral Research Fellow to join a UKRI-funded project titled ‘Colombo: Layered Histories in the Global South City’ led by Professor Sujit Sivasundaram. This three-year fixed-term position focuses on the modern history of Colombo after c. 1850, exploring the city’s imperial past, diverse communities, and complex cultural and political landscape within the Indian Ocean region.
Position/Job Details
- Position: Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Sri Lankan History
- Institution: University of Cambridge
- Department: Faculty of History
- Research field: Modern History, South Asian History, Sri Lankan History
- Location: Cambridge, United Kingdom
- Number of posts: 1
- Job Type: Full-time, Fixed-term (3 years)
- Start Date (Anticipated): 1 October 2025
- Working Hours: Full time
- Salary Range: £32,546 – £45,413 per annum
- Required Degree/Diploma: PhD
Research area
- Modern History of Colombo (post-1850)
- South Asian and Southeast Asian History
- Imperial and Colonial Studies
- Digital Humanities in History
- Public Engagement and Interdisciplinary Research
Eligibility & Qualifications
Minimum Requirements:
- PhD or near completion in Modern History, South Asian or World History
- Expertise in Sri Lankan, South Asian, or Southeast Asian history preferred
- Fluency in English; knowledge of Sinhala and/or Tamil highly desirable
- Experience with archival research, preferably in Sri Lanka
- Proven track record of high-quality academic publishing
Preferred Qualifications:
- Ability to work collaboratively and in interdisciplinary settings
- Experience with digital humanities research
- Capability to communicate research to public and academic audiences
Key Responsibilities
- Conduct and publish research on modern Colombo’s layered histories
- Deliver research outputs within project timelines
- Engage in public-facing and digital humanities activities
- Collaborate with project team and stakeholders
- Participate in academic events and outreach activities
Application Process
How to Apply:
Apply online via the University of Cambridge recruitment system. Candidates must create an account if not registered.
Required Documents:
- Statement of interest (500 words)
- Curriculum Vitae (CV) including two academic referees
- Two writing samples (up to 20,000 words combined)
- Research proposal (up to 1000 words) on the Modern History of Colombo
Important Dates
- Application Opens: Immediately
- Deadline: 15 June 2025 (midnight)
- Interview Date: To be confirmed
Useful Links
- Institution Website: https://www.hist.cam.ac.uk
- Job Posting: Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Sri Lankan History (Fixed Term) – Job Opportunities – University of Cambridge
- Apply now:The University of Cambridge: Web Recruitment
For informal enquiries, contact Professor Sujit Sivasundaram at sps20@cam.ac.uk or hr@hist.cam.ac.uk for application queries.
