Vacancies

These appointments are for postdoctoral researchers shortly after the award of the PhD to help them establish research based careers. Different schemes are run by the Economic and Social Research Council, the British Academy and the Leverhulme Trust; terms of eligibility vary, but these ‘early career’ fellowships are normally limited to those in receipt of the PhD within about 5 years. They require pre-arrangement with a ‘host’ department, so those interested in applying for one of these schemes should approach at the earliest opportunity a member of the History Faculty to explore possibilities for hosting. Generally the Faculty provides office space to successful applicants. There may also be possibilities for affiliation with a college as a Fellow or Bye-Fellow. Postdoctoral fellowships normally also provide opportunities for teaching in both the Faculty and the colleges.

Junior Research Fellowships (JRFs) are advertised in the Cambridge University Reporter, particularly at the beginning of the academic year, although some competitions begin earlier and later.

JRFs are appointments made by colleges to the most promising researchers at the very start of their career, either just completing or having recently completed the PhD. Most colleges hold JRF competitions on an annual basis, but terms and conditions vary.

Most JRFs carry a stipend (although there are ‘non-stipendiary’ JRFs for those who hold another award) and a college fellowship, which itself can convey privileges such as accommodation, dining rights, allowances, and teaching opportunities. JRFs in History can affiliate to the History Faculty through one or more of its subject groups and can play a role in teaching at both university and college levels.

Vacancies are advertised in the Cambridge University Reporter.

Many Cambridge colleges employ historians on a full or part-time basis to do undergraduate teaching, administration and research; these are ‘college lecturers’, who might be also employees of the universities (University Teaching Officers, or UTOs), or employees solely of the college (College Teaching Officers, or CTOs). In addition to payment for teaching, college lecturers hold college fellowships which may carry additional privileges such as office space, accommodation, computer support, dining rights and allowances. Colleges advertise vacancies for lectureships as they arise.

College lecturers, whether or not they are employees of the university, can affiliate to the History Faculty through one or more of its subject groups and can play a prominent role in both undergraduate and postgraduate teaching.

Job opportunities advertised by the University of Cambridge

The University of Cambridge Careers Service portal

The CHRIS/5 Application for Employment should be used for applications for assistant staff posts; it can also be used for academic-related vacancies.

Download the CHRIS/5 form here.

Applications for academic, research and some academic-related posts are made by CV. The CHRIS/6 Cover Sheet for CVs should be used to accompany applications for employment being made by CV.

Download the CHRIS/6 form here.