Vacancy: Postdoctoral Researcher in Enlightenment Studies

We are delighted to invite applications for a 2-year role:

Postdoctoral Researcher in Enlightenment Studies

Contract type: Fixed Term Contract (2 years)

Hours: Full time (37.5 hours)

About the role

The Voltaire Foundation is a busy and friendly research department within the Humanities Division, based at 99 Banbury Road, Oxford, specialising in the European 18th Century and digital text editing.

We seek a Postdoctoral Researcher who will pursue their own two-year research project in the general area of the history and culture of the Enlightenment in Europe or North America (c. 1680-1815). This project may include a consideration of the legacies of Enlightenment debates and the present-day reception of certain central eighteenth-century areas of concern such as campaigns for the abolition of the slave trade or early forms of constitutionalism.

The Postdoctoral Researcher will also assist with a programme of events relating to the reception of Enlightenment debates in the modern world, such as lecture organisation and seminars.

The role is fixed-term for 2 years and fully supported by the United Grand Lodge of England in recognition of the strong connection between Freemasonry and Enlightenment values.

Application process – click here to apply

A pdf with the job description is available here.

You will be required to upload a CV and a supporting statement explaining why you consider yourself particularly suited to this position, with reference to the essentials of the person specification. As part of your application you will be asked to provide details of two referees and indicate whether we can contact them now.

For further details, please refer to the How to apply section of the job description. Any further enquires may be directed to hr@humanities.ox.ac.uk.

The closing date for applications is 12.00 noon on Friday 30 May 2025. Only applications received before this time can be considered.

Interviews will be held on 16 or 17 June 2025.