Job Summary Table of American History Fellowship

Job Description Summary

The Broadbent Career Development Fellowship offers an exceptional opportunity for early-career researchers in American History to develop their academic career at the University of Oxford’s prestigious Rothermere American Institute (RAI), contributing to research, teaching, and public engagement activities.

Responsibilities

• Conduct original postdoctoral research in American History since 1600 for publication in academic books and articles
• Contribute to the academic life of the Rothermere American Institute and St Edmund Hall
• Convene research seminars and doctoral workshops in collaboration with other US historians
• Teach for up to three hours per week to undergraduate and graduate students
• Undertake innovative public engagement activities on behalf of the RAI
• Participate in the vibrant intellectual community of North American history scholars at Oxford
• Organize academic events such as conferences, workshops, and lectures
• Contribute to graduate student mentoring and academic supervision

Benefits and Perks

• Competitive salary range of £38,674 – £46,913 per annum (Grade 7)
• Access to world-class research facilities and resources
• Opportunity to collaborate with leading scholars in American history
• Integration into Oxford’s prestigious academic community
• Support for research publication and career development
• Participation in an internationally renowned center for American studies
• Access to Oxford’s college system through affiliation with St Edmund Hall
• Networking opportunities with visiting international scholars

Company Overview

The University of Oxford is consistently ranked among the world’s top universities and is a leading center for research and teaching in North American history. The Rothermere American Institute (RAI) serves as Oxford’s dedicated center for the study of the United States and its place in the world, supporting world-leading scholarship through extensive programming and resources.

Company Culture

The RAI fosters a vibrant intellectual environment with over 100 seminars, workshops, conferences, and lectures annually, attracting leading scholars, students, policymakers, and public figures worldwide. The institute embraces a collaborative approach to scholarship, bringing together approximately twenty faculty members, numerous graduate students, early-career researchers, and distinguished visiting professors including the John G. Winant Professor of American Government and the Harmsworth Professor of American History.

Career Growth Opportunities

This three-year fellowship is designed specifically to support early-career academics in developing their research profile and teaching experience within a world-class institution. Fellows benefit from mentorship, collaborative opportunities, and exposure to cutting-edge scholarship in American history. The position serves as an excellent stepping stone toward permanent academic positions, offering valuable experience in research, teaching, and academic leadership.

Research Environment and Academic Community

🔍 World-Class American History Research at Oxford

The Rothermere American Institute stands at the forefront of American historical scholarship outside the United States. As the Broadbent Career Development Fellow, you will join a thriving community that includes approximately twenty faculty members working on American topics, visiting professors from leading U.S. institutions, and a cohort of graduate students pursuing research in American history.

The fellowship provides unparalleled access to Oxford’s extensive resources, including the Vere Harmsworth Library, which houses one of the best collections of American historical materials in Europe. This resource-rich environment enables fellows to produce exceptional research for publication in leading academic journals and university presses.

📚 Teaching American History at Oxford

North American history enjoys significant popularity among Oxford students at both undergraduate and graduate levels. The teaching component of this fellowship offers valuable experience across various formats, including:

• Contributing to popular outline papers in US History
• Teaching specialized undergraduate courses
• Participating in the team-taught US History ‘strand’ in Oxford’s prestigious Master of Studies and Master of Philosophy programs
• Supporting doctoral students working on United States or pre-Revolutionary American history topics

This teaching experience, limited to three hours weekly, provides an ideal balance that allows fellows to develop pedagogical skills while maintaining research productivity.

🌐 Public Engagement and Academic Leadership

A key aspect of this fellowship involves contributing to the RAI’s extensive program of public engagement and academic events. The fellow will collaborate with RAI staff to:

• Convene research seminars that attract leading scholars in the field
• Organize doctoral workshops to support emerging researchers
• Develop innovative public engagement initiatives that showcase American historical scholarship
• Participate in the institute’s renowned lecture series and conferences

These activities provide valuable leadership experience while enhancing the fellow’s academic profile and professional network.

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging

The University of Oxford is committed to fostering an inclusive culture which promotes equality, values diversity, and maintains a working, learning, and social environment in which the rights and dignity of all its staff and students are respected. The Rothermere American Institute specifically values diverse perspectives in the study of American history and actively encourages applications from candidates of all backgrounds.

Equal Opportunity Statement

The University of Oxford is an equal opportunity employer committed to providing equal employment opportunities without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability or any other legally protected characteristics.

Remote Work Policy

This position requires on-site presence at the Rothermere American Institute (1a South Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3UB) and St Edmund Hall. The role involves in-person teaching, mentoring, and participation in the academic community, though some research activities may be conducted remotely as appropriate.

Application Details and Process

📝 Application Process

1. Prepare your curriculum vitae highlighting your research accomplishments and teaching experience
2. Develop a comprehensive supporting statement demonstrating how you meet the selection criteria
3. Provide contact details for two academic referees who can speak to your qualifications
4. Submit your complete application package through the Oxford University online recruitment system
5. Shortlisted candidates will be invited for interviews

Application Deadline

Applications must be received by 12:00 noon on Wednesday, 22 April 2025. Late submissions cannot be considered.

How to Apply

To apply, please visit the University of Oxford recruitment website and quote Vacancy ID 178535 on all correspondence. Interviews are expected to be held on Friday, 23 May 2025.

For academic inquiries about the position, contact Dr. Daniel Rowe, Director of Academic Programmes, at daniel.rowe@rai.ox.ac.uk. For administrative questions, contact Katy Long at hr@rai.ox.ac.uk.

FAQs or Additional Information

Q: What are the key selection criteria for this position?
A: Successful candidates will have completed a PhD within the last three years, demonstrated research potential to influence their field, and shown commitment to high-quality teaching and public engagement.

Q: Is there flexibility in the teaching requirements?
A: Teaching responsibilities are capped at three hours per week to ensure fellows maintain research productivity while gaining valuable teaching experience.

Q: What documentation is required for the right to work in the UK?
A: Candidates must be able to provide proof of their right to work in the UK according to current government regulations. For specific documentation requirements, please contact hr@rai.ox.ac.uk.

This prestigious fellowship represents an exceptional opportunity for early-career American historians to develop their research profile at one of the world’s leading universities while contributing to Oxford’s vibrant intellectual community. The position’s balanced focus on research, teaching, and public engagement provides ideal preparation for a successful academic career.

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