About the Position/Job
The University of Sheffield is inviting applications for a Research associate in history & digital Humanities to join the major project “Rebuilding lives, redefining belonging: ex-soldiers, their families and communities in post-war Africa, 1945–60.” Supervised by Dr Sarah Frank, this fixed-term post offers the opportunity to explore the experiences of African veterans and their descendants, focusing especially on the Francophone case study of Senegal. The role integrates oral histories, archival research, political and social analysis, mental health perspectives, and digital humanities methodologies, contributing to a deeper understanding of generational trauma and post-conflict reintegration. Working within the School of History, Philosophy & Digital Humanities, the post supports the University’s commitment to interdisciplinary, globally engaged research and provides meaningful international collaboration and fieldwork opportunities.
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Position/Job Details
- Position: Research Associate
- Institution: University of Sheffield
- Department: History, Philosophy & Digital Humanities
- Research Field: Post-War African History, Oral Histories, Digital Humanities
- Location: Sheffield, United Kingdom
- Number of Posts: 1
- Job Type: Full-time, Fixed-term
- Start Date (Anticipated): April 2026
- Working Hours: Full-time
- Salary Range: £38,784 per annum
- Required Degree/Diploma: PhD
Research Area
- Psychology
- Sociology
- History
- Medical Humanities
- Disability Studies
- Political Studies
- Francophone Studies
- African History and Post-War Studies
- Digital Humanities
Eligibility & Qualifications
Minimum Requirements:
- PhD in a relevant discipline
- Research experience in psychology, history, sociology, Francophone studies, medical humanities, African history, WWII or post-war studies
- Native or near-native fluency in French
- Proven record of high-quality research and peer-reviewed publications
- Strong written and verbal communication abilities
- Good computer literacy and data management skills
- Ability to work both independently and within a team
- Ability to plan, prioritise and meet deadlines
- Experience delivering presentations
- Demonstrated commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience in outreach or public engagement
- Creative problem-solving ability
- Prior fieldwork or research experience in West Africa
- Knowledge of Wolof, Pulaar, Serere or Jola
Key Responsibilities
- Conduct approximately 40 oral-history interviews and code transcripts
- Support development of historical record databases using OCR and metadata frameworks
- Assist in testing, refining and validating computer-assisted transcription and coding systems
- Contribute to the design and evaluation of project search tools, digital interfaces and data visualisations
- Lead data analysis with guidance from the Principal Investigator
- Ensure ethical approval and compliance throughout the research process
- Present findings at internal meetings, conferences and stakeholder events
- Produce academic and non-academic publications
- Organise workshops, conferences and engagement activities
- Participate in School administrative duties and contribute to knowledge-exchange initiatives
- Travel for fieldwork, archival research and conferences
Application Process
How to Apply
Applicants must apply through the University of Sheffield’s official recruitment portal by submitting all required documents before the deadline.
Required Documents:
- Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Cover Letter or Application Statement addressing criteria
- List of publications
- Contact details for referees
- Any additional documents requested on the application portal
Important Dates
- Application Opens: 04 December 2025
- Deadline: 05 January 2026
- Interview Date: To be announced
Useful Links
- Institution Website: University of Sheffield
- Official Notification Link: click here
- Apply Now: University of Sheffield Careers Portal
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