The three-month CSMCH-IASH Postdoctoral Research Fellowship in Modern and Contemporary History is intended to encourage outstanding early-career interdisciplinary research and scholarly collaboration in the broad field of modern and contemporary history. The fellow will be affiliated with the Centre for the Study of Modern and Contemporary History (CSMCH) in the School of History, Classics and Archaeology and the Institute for Advanced Studies in the Humanities (IASH).

Each year, the CSMCH will select an interdisciplinary research theme – for 2017-8, this will be ‘democracy’ – and applicants will need to show that their research addresses this theme. Otherwise, there is no limit on geographical area or time period, as long as the bulk of the applicant's research falls within the 'modern and contemporary' period (c.1750-present).

Fellows will work in collaboration with both the CSMCH and IASH. The fellow will be expected to:

- Present his or her work to the CSMCH seminar and to IASH, as well as take part in IASH work-in-progress sessions and other IASH community activities.

- Organise one event in collaboration with the CSMCH. This could be a public engagement event (eg. lecture, film series) or an academic event (eg. colloquium). Applicants should write about their proposed event in the application form. Both CSMCH and IASH will be able to help organise the event and the CSMCH may also provide small amounts of funding where appropriate.

- Identify and work with a mentor from the School of History, Classics and Archaeology. The mentor should be named in the application and a short supporting statement should be provided.

In order to facilitate cooperation within HCA and the CSMCH, fellowships can only be taken up from September to June. Candidates should indicate on the application form the dates during which they intend to be in residence.

Fellows will benefit from the combined resources of the School of History, Classics and Archaeology and IASH. The Institute for Advanced Studies in the Humanities is housed in an 18th century courtyard close to the University Library and about 20 scholars are in residence at any time. Fellows are allocated a private office in the Institute with all the usual research facilities.

The Fellowship comes with a stipend of £1100 per month (for three months) and up to £500 to offset travel expenses. It is anticipated that Fellows will use the Fellowship to launch joint publications, joint applications for research funding and/or collaborative research projects with their HCA mentor and/or with other members of the CSMCH.

A minimum of one short supporting statement is required. This must be from the member of HCA staff with whom the applicant wishes to collaborate. A minimum of two and a maximum of three confidential references are required. Applicants should ask their referees to send their references by email to iash@ed.ac.uk by the closing date. Referees should comment on the nature and quality of the research proposal, as well as on the qualifications of the applicant.

Please consult the CSMCH website for further information, eligibility, and guidance on the application process: http://www.ed.ac.uk/history-classics-archaeology/modern-contemporary-history-centre

Please complete the online application here: http://www.iash.ed.ac.uk/application-form