Postdoctoral in Ottoman Mobilities – BIRI, Apply by 14 July

About the Position

The British International Research Institutes (BIRI) invite applications for Postdoctoral Research Fellowships as part of the collaborative project “Ottoman Mobilities and Interactions”. This is a full-time, funded research opportunity starting 1 September 2025 and running until 31 March 2026, with a potential extension subject to internal funding.

This interdisciplinary project investigates the movement of people, objects, ideas, and institutions across the Ottoman Empire. It draws on diverse fields such as history, anthropology, archaeology, art history, and literary studies to understand how mobility shaped governance, culture, and transregional exchanges.

They welcome scholars from history, anthropology, archaeology, art history, literary studies and related fields who are committed to innovative research on Ottoman mobilities in their diverse forms. They particularly welcome applications with an interest in the long nineteenth century, with preferred focus on Türkiye, the Middle East/West Asia, Greece, North and East Africa.

Position/Job Details

Position: Postdoctoral Research Fellow
Institution: British International Research Institutes (BIRI)
Department: Various BIRI member institutions
Research Field: Ottoman Studies, Mobility, Cultural Exchange
Location: Based at one of BIRI’s affiliated countries (Türkiye, Jordan, Kenya, Italy, Greece, UK)
Number of Posts: Multiple
Job Type: Full-time, Fixed-term
Start Date: 1 September 2025
Working Hours: Full-time
Funding Duration: Until 31 March 2026 (with potential extension)
Required Degree: PhD

Research Area

Ottoman history and imperial governance
Mobility studies (people, ideas, goods, technologies)
Cultural and art history (manuscripts, artworks, luxury items)
Anthropology and social transformations
Archaeology and material culture
Literary studies and intellectual networks
Migration, diaspora, and borderland studies

Eligibility and Requirements

A PhD in a related field awarded within the last ten years (degree must be awarded by the time of appointment).
Demonstrated relevant research experience.
Excellent command of written and spoken English.
Strong command of one or more relevant languages (e.g. Ottoman Turkish, Turkish, Arabic, Greek, Armenian, Kurdish, Balkan languages, French, Italian).
Evidence of ability to work independently and collaboratively in a team setting.
A publication record appropriate to career stage.
Must have the right to work in at least one of the countries covered by the following BIRI (Türkiye, Jordan, Kenya, Italy, Greece, UK).

Key Responsibilities

Conduct independent and collaborative research within the project scope
Produce scholarly outputs (e.g. articles, presentations)
Engage with institutional activities at the host BIRI
Contribute to interdisciplinary dialogue and academic exchange

Application Process

How to Apply

Applicants must submit their materials via the BIRI or British Academy application portal. You may need to register or log in to complete the process.