Research Fellow in Medieval History at UCL, London

About the Position

The UCL Institute of Archaeology is inviting applications for a full-time Research Fellow to join the ERC Synergy-funded project MEDGREENREV: Re-thinking the “Green Revolution” in the Medieval Western Mediterranean (6th–16th centuries). Based in London, this interdisciplinary role focuses on the environmental and societal transformations in medieval North Africa, contributing to UCL’s comparative analysis of archaeobotanical and faunal data within a multi-institutional European collaboration. Supervised by Professor Corisande Fenwick, the successful candidate will explore unpublished Arabic manuscripts, conduct archival research, and help lead publications and events. The role offers an exciting opportunity to shape innovative research that bridges archaeology, palaeoenvironmental studies, and medieval Islamic history. The position starts on 1 October 2025 and supports UCL’s commitment to cutting-edge, collaborative scholarship in historical and environmental humanities.

Position/Job Details

Position: Research Fellow
Institution: University College London
Department: Institute of Archaeology
Research Field: Archaeology, Medieval History
Location: London, United Kingdom
Number of Posts: 1
Job Type: Full-time, Postdoctoral
Start Date (Anticipated): October 2025
Working Hours: 36.5 hours per week
Salary Range: Grade 6B/7 (commensurate with qualifications)
Required Degree/Diploma: PhD

Research Area

Medieval Islamic history (600–1600)
Archaeology
Environmental and economic history
Arabic manuscript studies
North African and Western Mediterranean history
Comparative analysis of faunal and archaeobotanical data

Eligibility & Qualifications

Minimum Requirements:

PhD (or near completion) in medieval Islamic history or a related field
Excellent knowledge of medieval Arabic
Proven ability to conduct independent research
Strong publication record (relative to career stage)
Experience working with unpublished Arabic sources
Proficiency in French and Spanish for scholarly reading
Willingness to travel and work collaboratively

Preferred Qualifications:

Research experience in environmental or economic history of the Islamic world
Advanced written and spoken French

Key Responsibilities

Conduct research on medieval Arabic sources (published and unpublished)
Collaborate on comparative analysis of archaeological datasets
Publish academic outputs including three articles and an edited volume
Organise and participate in workshops and conferences
Support day-to-day coordination of the project at UCL
Represent the project locally and internationally
Maintain ethical research conduct and adhere to institutional policies

Application Process

How to Apply:

Submit your application via the UCL Jobs Portal. Ensure your application includes a CV, a detailed cover letter addressing each essential and desirable criterion, and contact information for at least two referees.

Required Documents: