Research Associate (Fixed Term) - New frontiers in demographic and public health history

The Faculty of History has a vacancy for a Research Associate working on a new project funded by a private donation which will be based with the Cambridge Group for the History of Population and Social Structure, located in the Faculty of History at the University of Cambridge The postholder will work under the guidance of Prof S. R. S Szreter. This post is linked to a related part-time position working on the same project based in the Department of Geography under the guidance of Prof K. Schürer. It is envisaged that the two posts will work closely together.

The mid-nineteenth to the early twentieth-century was a period of widespread and rapid demographic change in England and Wales with declines in both fertility and mortality. In order to shed further light on this fertility decline (and related changes in mortality) the work will require excellent historical archival skills since a large component of the work for this position will be to visit national and local archives and record offices in order to collect and assemble a range of community-based data and information from primary sources. This will require the identification of historical sources relating to local labour markets, including child and female employment, education provision and take-up, poor relief and public health measures being carried out by an increasing range of officials, as well as related information sourced from local newspapers.

Knowledge of the historical censuses of Great Britain is also desirable, but not essential. General data literacy and computer skills will be important and an ability to work with Excel will be required.

Eligible candidates must have post-graduate research experience in sourcing, handling and processing a range of historical sources, preferably from the second half of the nineteenth and early-twentieth centuries, and preferably also relating to England and Wales.

Candidates for the position will be expected to have obtained (or submitted) a PhD in History or related social science/humanities subject.

Applicants must be highly motivated and should have excellent organisational and communication skills, excellent attention to detail and be able to both work well as part of a team, whilst at the same time work independently on the tasks set.

The successful candidate will be based in Cambridge and have the opportunity to participate in a wide range of Faculty and University activities, including seminars, and reading groups across the University. Remote working and job sharing are possible for suitable candidates.

More information about the faulty is available here :

Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available for 18 months in the first instance.

Once an offer of employment has been accepted, the successful candidate will be required to undergo a health assessment.

The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.

The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.