Job Description

The Post

Applications are invited for an ERC Synergy/UKRI-funded position of a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the University of Stirling. The role holder will examine the history of the Second Plague Pandemic in the Caucasus (broadly defined, including eastern Anatolia). On the basis of original sources, published and unpublished, the research fellow will reconstruct the spatio-temporal contours of recurrent plague waves in the region, their origins, natural environment, spread and impact on local communities, as well as the latter's response. The advertised position is offered as part of the project "SYNERGY PLAGUE: Reconstructing the environmental and societal drivers of plague outbreaks in Eurasia between 1300 and 1900" (https://www.synergy-plague.org/). This project is funded by a ERC Synergy/UKRI EPSRC Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council, which has commenced in July 2024 and is being co-led by Prof. Philip Slavin (University of Stirling) with three other principal investigators (PIs): Prof. Nils Stenseth (Oslo), Prof. Ulf Buntgen (Cambridge) and Dr. Florent Sebbane (the Pasteur Institute, Lille). The successful applicant will be based in the Division of History, Heritage and Politics at the University of Stirling. The successful candidate will need to be based at Stirling for at least nine months per year and spend the remainder of the year doing archival and library research in different parts of the Caucasus - particularly in Armenia, and any other location required for the project, as well as participating in conferences in and outside of the UK.

The Project

The project is part of a much larger ERC Synergy project, involving an international interdisciplinary team, led by four PIs: Slavin, Stenseth, Buntgen and Sebbane. The main objective of the project is to improve our understanding about the ecologies and spread mechanisms of plague during the Second Pandemic, all over Eurasia and North Africa. The project is strongly interdisciplinary in character, involving a team of epidemiological modelling (Stenseth), palaeo-climatology (Buntgen), plague biology (Sebanne) and history (Slavin).



Each of the PIs is leading a team of students, post-docs and research partners that will be expected to interact on a regular basis and attend project progress meetings. Slavin's team involves a group of three researchers (two doctoral students and one post-doc), with each individual focusing on a different part of the globe, and several PG students at the University of Glasgow (co-supervised with Prof. Sam Cohn) and the University of Oslo (co-supervised with Prof. Einer Wigen). Each researcher will focus on a different part of the globe.



The project aims to produce various outputs, from co-authored journal articles to a research monograph.

Description of Duties

Plan and manage their own research activity, as discussed with and approved by the Project Leader (Prof. Slavin), and meet objectives and deadlines in collaboration with the project's Project Lead Liaise with and report to the Project Leader regularly, at least once per month, about the project Liaise with the other project leaders (PIs) Attend regular project and editorial meetings as required (vis TEAMS and occasionally in person) Travel to relevant libraries, manuscript repositories and archives in the Caucasus and Europe, to conduct research (involving digitisation of sources) and attend workshops and conferences Read, analyse and partially translate relevant sources dealing with plague outbreaks, and input the data into the project's database of global plague outbreaks in-the-making Present single-authored or co-authored papers at international conferences Co-organise and participate in seminars and workshops at Stirling In total, single-author at least one journal article or book chapter, and co-author at least one more journal article or book chapter with the Project Leader and other PIs/postdocs/PG students/research partners of the project. The article(s) will be submitted to leading international journals Help maintaining and contributing to the Caucasus segment of the project's database in-the-making, by inputting new entries deriving from original sources, in line with the current database's format Translate relevant excerpts dealing with plague outbreaks from their original languages into English Co-organise the international conference on "Health and Diseases in Pre-Modern Caucasus and Central Asia" that will take place at Stirling Engage in research-related activities of the Faculty of Arts and Humanities at the University of Stirling in general, including the Centre for Environment, Heritage and Policy and meetings with other Early Career Researchers at the Faculty of Arts and Humanities Engage with continuing professional development and the training sessions that the Project Leader regards as necessary for the Postdoctoral Assistant to attend

Applicants should submit:

A cover letter (no more than 2 pages) outlining their qualifications and experience for the advertised position, and initial thoughts on how their interests dovetail with the project. The applicants should address in their cover letter all the essential criteria and as many as possible of the desirable criteria. However, they do not need to elaborate on how they are qualified to fulfil each of the duties mentioned above A curriculum vitae An example of recent academic writing (e.g., PhD chapter, journal article or book chapter) in English. This text can also be an unpublished one. In the latter case, the selection committee will treat this unpublished text in a strictly confidential manner and not share it with anyone else

Essential Criteria

Qualifications

The candidates must, by the time of appointment, have completed a PhD (or equivalent) in one of the following disciplines: Armenian history, Caucasian history, or another related discipline

Research

Experience with late-medieval/early modern sources from the Caucasus (especially Armenia), including work with unpublished manuscripts Experience in preparing research findings for publication or presentation at conferences Excellent command of spoken and written English Excellent knowledge of at least Classical and modern Armenian; however, a preference will be given to a candidate with additional languages, including Classical Georgian, Middle/early modern Persian, and Ottoman Turkish

Skills, attitude and behaviour

Evidence of self-motivation and the ability to work independently Excellent time management skills, including the ability to prioritise workload Proven ability to interact effectively and work collaboratively with colleagues Evidence of enthusiasm in engaging in activities addressing and/or involving non-academic publics

Desirable Criteria

Completed PhD thesis dealing with ANY topic on medieval/early Modern Caucasian history, with a special focus on Armenia Experience of working in research teams A record of research publications in the field of Armenian/Caucasian history Enthusiasm for conducting interdisciplinary work, including learning new methods and approaches from all the four project PIs Able to demonstrate a commitment to place the Caucasus into a wider context of global history of plague

Additional Information

Full time

Fixed term for 36 months, expected start date 01 September 2025 or by mutual agreement



The closing date for applications is midnight on Sunday 15 June 2025.


Interviews are expected to take place on Thursday 03 July 2025.



There is an expectation that work will be undertaken in the UK.



For the purposes of sponsorship, this role may be eligible for sponsorship depending


on candidate circumstances and is a postdoctoral role under SOC code 2119.



The University of Stirling recognises that a diverse workforce benefits and enriches the work, learning and research experiences of the entire campus and greater community. We are committed to removing barriers and welcome applications from those who would contribute to further diversification of our staff and ensure that equality, diversity and inclusion is woven into the substance of the role. We strongly encourage applications from people from diverse backgrounds including gender, identity, race, age, class, and ethnicity.

Behaviours and Competencies

The role holder will be required to evidence that they can meet the qualities associated with the following behavioural competencies, as detailed within the AUA Competency Framework.

Managing self and personal skills

Being aware of your own behaviour and mindful of how it impacts on others, enhancing personal skills to adapt professional practice accordingly.

Delivering excellent service

Providing the best quality service to external and internal clients. Building genuine and open long-term relationships in order to drive up service standards.

Finding solutions

Taking a holistic view and working enthusiastically to analyse problems and to develop workable solutions. Identifying opportunities for innovation.

Embracing change

Being open to and engaging with new ideas and ways of working. Adjusting to unfamiliar situations, shifting demands and changing roles.

Using resources effectively

Identifying and making the most productive use of resources including people, time, information, networks and budgets.

Engaging with the wider context

Enhancing your contribution to the organisation through an understanding of the bigger picture and showing commitment to organisational values.

Developing self and others

Showing commitment to own ongoing professional development. Supporting and encouraging others to develop their professional knowledge, skills and behaviours to enable them to reach their full potential.

Working together

Working collaboratively with others in order to achieve objectives. Recognising and valuing the different contributions people bring to this process.

Achieving Results

Consistently meeting agreed objectives and success criteria. Taking personal responsibility for getting things done.

About Us

The University of Stirling's largest faculty has earned a reputation for delivering some of the most highly-rated Arts and Humanities courses in the country. With a focus on innovation, exploration, and creativity, you will be part of a vibrant environment defined by world-class teaching and research. Staff thrive in a dynamic culture where collaboration is key, international links abound and the desire to make a meaningful contribution to society is always at the forefront of our minds.



Research within History, Heritage and Politics resonates far beyond the University. It has an interdisciplinary focus that cuts across both areas and engages with the work of others, especially in the fields of global security and the history and policy of civil society. Our work makes an impact on society and government policy. It focuses on challenges that matter - from environmental sustainability to international conflict resolution, diplomacy, and foreign policy. It also provides analysis and knowledge of the foundation on which our civil society rests, locally, nationally, and globally.

The University

The University of Stirling is committed to providing education with a purpose and carrying out research which has a positive impact on communities across the globe. Driven by our mission to be the difference, we are addressing real issues, providing solutions, and helping to shape society.



The University has more than 17,500 students globally and employs 1,800 staff, with more than 140 nationalities represented within our community. Our campus environment is ranked first in the UK and top 10 in the world, and our sports facilities rank first in the UK and second in the world (International Student Barometer 2024, wave two), reflecting our long-standing designation as Scotland's University for Sporting Excellence.



We were shortlisted for University of the Year 2024 at the Times Higher Education Awards and are proud holders of a Silver institutional award from the Athena Swan Charter, in recognition of our commitment to advancing gender equality. We have an overall five-star rating in the QS Stars University Ratings and are ranked top 30 in the UK for postgraduate teaching and learning (Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey 2024). In recognition of our excellence in business education, we are accredited by AACSB International.



Eighty-seven per cent of our research has an outstanding or very considerable impact on society, with more than 80% rated either world leading or internationally excellent (Research Excellence Framework 2021), and we are ranked among the top 100 institutions in the world for our contribution to meeting 10 of the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals. We have twice been recognised with a Queen's Anniversary Prize; for our Institute for Social Marketing and Health (2014) and our Institute of Aquaculture (2019).



Alongside partners, the University spearheads the 214 million Stirling and Clackmannanshire City Region Deal - which will deliver three major University-led projects: the National Aquaculture Technology and Innovation Hub, Scotland's International Environment Centre, and the Intergenerational Living Innovation Hub. We are also a central partner in the Forth Valley University College Health Partnership.



www.stir.ac.uk



Job Reference: FAC02040