Research Fellow: Voices of Motherhood

Location: City Campus

Contract Type: Fixed Term - 18 Months

This is an exciting opportunity to join the team working on ‘Voices of Motherhood: A History of Maternal Activism from the Women's Co-operative Guild to Pregnant then Screwed’ a UKRI-funded Future Leaders’ Fellowship (FLF) (ref: MR/Y018184/1). You will work closely with the Principal Investigator (PI), Dr Anna Muggeridge, as a postdoctoral Research Fellow, contributing to the project and developing your own skills as a researcher.

As part of the role, you will have the opportunity to:

• Undertake research as directed by the PI (including archival research and collection of oral histories).
• Shape and direct your own research project within the remit of the Fellowship, with direction from, and to be agreed by, the PI.
• Access relevant training and career development opportunities within and beyond the University of Worcester.
• Develop your own research profile through, for example, presenting work at conferences (covered by the project funding) and publishing research in relevant journals as a co- or lead author.
• Build your experience of disseminating research outside of academia, participating in partnerships with stakeholders in both the third sector and heritage sector.

You will hold, or be close to completing, a PhD in modern British history, and be able to demonstrate a clear research interest in women’s history and/or gender history. You will be able to work both independently and as part of a team; have extensive experience of archival research; experience managing research projects; an emerging publication profile, and experience disseminating research beyond academia. Your responsibilities will include the collection of new oral histories. Prior experience collecting oral histories or in similar qualitative research methods is not required as full training will be offered, however you will be able to demonstrate a clear understanding of oral history methodologies. 

You will be based in the Department of History and Sociology at the University of Worcester. You will be required to meet regularly with the PI to plan and manage your activities. You will be expected to travel throughout the United Kingdom to undertake archival research and collective oral histories. We welcome applications to hold the post on a part-time or job-share basis. We also welcome applications from those candidates who meet the above specifications, and have taken a career break from academia for any reason.

Selection methods:

Applicants should complete the application form and upload a CV, list of publications and outline proposal for a research project that fits within the remit of the Fellowship. You can read the project summary at: https://gtr.ukri.org/projects?ref=MR%2FY018184%2F1 

This initial outline should be no longer than 500 words, inclusive of any references.

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to a formal panel interview, and also asked to deliver a presentation to the following brief:

Please give a 15 minute presentation on your plans for a project that fits within the Fellowship’s remit. This research proposal should cover: the main objectives of the proposed research; evidence of its impact and strategic relevance for the Fellowship; a plan for undertaking a complete project within 18 months (e.g., a Gantt chart); proposed outputs and/or dissemination from the project. It should build on and further develop the outline proposal submitted during the application process. You can read the project summary at: https://gtr.ukri.org/projects?ref=MR%2FY018184%2F1

How to apply:

Please upload:

• A short academic CV, of no more than two A4 pages in length (mandatory);
• A list of publications (mandatory);
• An outline proposal for a research project that fits within the remit of the Fellowship, which you would undertake as lead researcher, across the duration of the post alongside your other duties. This outline proposal should be no more than 500 words in length, inclusive of any references. You are advised to read the project summary (linked in application). Shortlisted candidates then will be asked to expand on this outline at interview (mandatory);
• If required, a personal statement (500 words). Applicants are invited to include any information relating to their professional career which they may wish to be taken into account in assessing this application. For example, details of a career break, or the effect of working on a part-time contract may be relevant. This is an optional field.

Complete the responses to the essential criteria (please upload a list of publications for point 5).

What's in it for you?

• Annual incremental increase up to £41,732, with the opportunity to progress to £45,585 subject to performance and the university reward scheme
• Up to 36 days of leave per year (inclusive of bank holidays and University closure days) rising to 41 total days after 5 years’ continuous service
• Attractive Company Pension Scheme
• Access to a range of benefits including our Staff Retail Benefits Scheme
• Wellbeing advice and support through our Employee Assistance Programme
• In-house training and development support
• A friendly, inclusive and supportive culture and work environment

From 1st July 2025, the salary range for this role will increase to £38,249 - £42,882, with the opportunity to progress to £46,735 subject to performance and the university reward scheme.

Applications close at 11:59pm on Sunday 25 May 2025 and it is anticipated that interviews for shortlisted candidates will take place on Monday 23rd June 2025, in person at the University of Worcester City Campus. The cost of an off-peak return train ticket from your nearest station to Worcester will be covered on request; other modes of transportation and accommodation regrettably cannot be funded.

It is expected that you will commence the role on Monday 1 September 2025 or as soon as possible thereafter. The post is fixed term for 18 months. Informal enquiries about the role may be addressed to Dr Anna Muggeridge at anna.muggeridge@worc.ac.uk.

Please note that this post may be eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker visa route if your individual circumstances enable this in accordance with the Skilled Worker visa rules. For more information on how the Skilled Worker visa rules may apply to you please visit: https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa

Closing Date: Sunday 25 May 2025

Interview Date: Monday 23 June 2025