Research Associate/Fellow (fixed term)

The School of Geography at the University of Nottingham is committed to being a globally leading centre for the creation, dissemination, and application of geographical knowledge and understanding. As part of this commitment, the School  invites applications for a fixed-term Post-Doctoral Research Associate to join the UKRI Future Leaders Fellowship project ‘Constructing Climate Coloniality: Histories, Knowledges and Materialities of Climate Adaptation in Southern Africa’. 

The School promotes and maintains a supportive environment to help all colleagues achieve their full potential. We positively encourage applications from underrepresented groups, for example women and people from Black, Asian, and minority ethnic backgrounds. We are also supportive of requests for flexible working and to those with caring responsibilities. 

The fellowship, led by Dr Matthew Hannaford, is an ambitious and transdisciplinary project about the emergence, evolution and ongoing forms of climate coloniality in southern Africa, specifically western Zimbabwe, southern Mozambique and southern Malawi. It aims to build new, usable pasts of climate extremes, colonial marginalisation and local agency by drawing upon diverse archival collections. Through co-production with project partners and local stakeholders, a further key goal is to determine ways to integrate these histories into foresight planning to drive equitable and sustainable climate change adaptation. 

The appointee will develop, conduct and publish work on the (trans)formation of knowledges and practices relating to climate in western Zimbabwe (modern-day Matabeleland) during the 19th and early-20th centuries, primarily through archival research. They will also shape and contribute to co-production workshops in the project areas. The position offers an exceptional opportunity for an individual aiming to lead interdisciplinary, high-impact research through collaboration with leading researchers in the field. The successful candidate will be expected to meet regularly with other project members and will be required to travel in the UK and internationally for data collection, co-production and dissemination activities. 

The candidate will have a PhD (or be nearing completion) in History, Geography, or a related area. Experience of archival and/or oral history research is essential, as is a research profile in African history, environmental/climate history or historical geography. The candidate should have a good track record of publishing in the field. An aptitude for interdisciplinary team working and excellent written and spoken communication skills are essential. Knowledge of languages relevant to the project area is highly desirable. 

The post is offered on full time (36.25 hours per week), fixed term contract until 20 April 2028. 

Informal enquiries may be addressed to Matthew Jones, Head of School, email matthew.jones@nottingham.ac.uk. Please note that applications sent directly to this email address will not be accepted.