Research Assistant (Part time, fixed-term)

Do you have experience in producing high quality, accurate text? Do you have a keen eye for technical detail? Do you have particular interest and some experience in the history of English, Welsh or the study of place-names? We are looking to appoint a Research Assistant to work with the English Place-Name Society (EPNS) to bring to publication The Place-Names of Herefordshire. You would be working alongside academic staff in the Institute for Name-Studies based in the School of English. You would join us on a fixed-term contract, full-time (36.25 hours) for six months (or part-time for up to a year) from 1 April 2025. Job share arrangements may be considered. Requests for secondment from internal candidates may be considered on the basis that prior agreement has been sought from both your current line manager and the manager of your substantive post, if you are already undertaking a secondment role.

The EPNS has been publishing authoritative reference works since 1925: to date 85 volumes have appeared, dealing with the place-names of 34 of the country’s 41 historic counties. The books have a broad general and scholarly appeal, and are extensively used by local historians, linguists, archaeologists and geographers.  

As yet Herefordshire is unrepresented in the series, though the Society’s editor, Mr John Freeman, spent nearly four decades assembling material. At his death in May 2021 he was nearing completion of an initial volume treating all Herefordshire’s major names – towns, villages, major topographical features. You would be tasked with seeing this work to the completion of a final manuscript. Support and guidance will be offered by experienced editors Prof. Jayne Carroll and Dr John Baker (Institute for Name-Studies, Nottingham), and by Dr David Parsons (University of Wales), Director of the Survey.   

You will have a degree (or equivalent) in History, English or another relevant area, have excellent oral and written communication skills and be competent with Microsoft Office applications including Word and Excel. Master’s Degree or demonstrable interest in medieval or early modern history or literature is desirable. 

We recognise that what helps us succeed is the different ideas and experiences of colleagues across our School, who come from a mix of cultures and backgrounds. Together, we are welcoming, inspiring and supportive of everyone. We believe in diverse academic and research teams that will provide the best opportunities to be innovative and forward thinking. We are therefore seeking applications from candidates whose background, experience and identity broadens and enhances the diversity of our existing team and would particularly welcome applications from black and minority ethnic scholars. We are currently working to decolonise our teaching curriculum and understand that having a mix of opinions, broad perspectives, lived experiences and different ways of solving problems enhances our day-to-day work and enriches our academic community. 

We are committed to a Strategic Delivery Plan for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) and we warmly welcome applications from under-represented groups, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation, caring responsibilities, socio-economic background and any temporary impairment or other irrelevant distinction.

We strongly endorse Athena SWAN principles, and we have commitment at all levels of our organisation to address gender inequality.  It is our mission to ensure equal opportunities, best working practices and fair policies for all. 

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