Research Fellow in Medieval History at UCL, London

About the Position

The UCL Institute of Archaeology is inviting applications for a Research Fellow in North African Medieval History as part of the prestigious ERC Synergy project “MEDGREENREV: Re-thinking the ‘Green Revolution’ in the Medieval Western Mediterranean (6th–16th centuries)”. UCL is recognised as one of the world’s leading centres for archaeology and heritage, offering a vibrant and dynamic research environment in the heart of London. This exciting project explores agrarian economies, environmental changes, and historical transformations in North Africa, in collaboration with top European institutions. The successful candidate will conduct in-depth research on pre-modern Arabic sources, support comparative analyses of faunal and archaeobotanical data, and collaborate closely with archaeologists and historians. This fixed-term, full-time role offers a unique opportunity to contribute to groundbreaking interdisciplinary work in a globally renowned department.

Position/Job Details

Position: Research Fellow in North African Medieval History
Institution: University College London (UCL)
Department: Institute of Archaeology (UCL SLASH)
Research field: Medieval Islamic History, North African History, Environmental History
Location: London, United Kingdom
Number of post: 1
Job Type: Full-time, Fixed-term until 31 July 2028
Start Date (Anticipated): 1 October 2025
Working Hours: 36.5 hours per week
Salary Range: £43,374 to £51,860 per annum (Grade 7; initial appointment at Grade 6B, £38,607 if PhD pending)
Required Degree/Diploma: PhD

Research Area

Medieval Islamic and North African History
Agrarian economies and environmental change
Archaeobotanical and faunal analysis
Arabic manuscript studies
Historical archaeology

Eligibility & Qualifications

Minimum Requirements:

PhD in Medieval Islamic History or a related field (or near completion)
Strong expertise in pre-modern Arabic written sources
Commitment to interdisciplinary collaboration

Preferred Qualifications:

Interest in medieval agrarian economies or North African environmental history
Willingness to travel for archival work and field visits in Europe and North Africa

Key Responsibilities

Conduct research on medieval North African history, focusing on Arabic written sources
Collaborate with project partners and archaeologists on comparative data analysis
Contribute to academic publications and project dissemination
Participate in research trips to archives and partner institutions
Potentially engage in field excavations in North Africa

Application Process

How to Apply:

Applications must be submitted via UCL’s online application portal (click “Apply Now” on the official posting).

Required Documents:

CV including academic and employment history
Cover Letter addressing how you meet the criteria in the Person Specification
Evidence of qualifications

Application Fee: None