Research Fellow x2 (109856-1125)

For informal enquiries, please contact the Wellcome Trust Career Development Award holder, Dr Anna Toropova (Assistant Professor) at anna.toropova.1@warwick.ac.uk.

The Department of History seeks to appoint two Research Fellows for a fixed-term period of 24 months each, one post from 1 April 2026 and one from 1 September 2026 to work with Dr Anna Toropova on the Wellcome Trust funded Career Development Award: ‘Traumatised Minds, Neurosis and Hysteria in Soviet Medicine and Culture, 1917-1953’. 

This project examines scientific, medical and cultural approaches to psychological trauma in the Soviet Union between 1917 and 1953. It has often been assumed that Soviet authorities forced conformity to a Pavlovian model that severely neglected the mental realm and silenced the question of traumatised consciousness. ‘Traumatised Minds’ seeks to complicate this narrative by bringing to light a vibrant tradition of research on psychological trauma, neurosis and hysteria that persisted throughout this period.

Examining a diverse body of research and practice across the Soviet republics, the project aims to reveal a unique tradition of understanding trauma which was neither ‘Freudian’ nor straightforwardly ‘Pavlovian’. Spotlighting the scientific and medical work that took place in Soviet Ukraine, the Baltic states, Central Asia and the Caucasus, ‘Traumatised Minds’ will examine how specific local contexts impacted research, diagnosis and strategies of care. The wider cultural resonance of medical understandings of traumatic neurosis will be explored through attention to artistic, literary, and cinematic engagements with the topic of trauma. Uncovering the new meanings that mental distress acquired in popular culture and in first person accounts, the project will examine how ideas about trauma travelled outside the clinic.

You will be part of one of the largest History departments in the UK with a thriving community of teachers and researchers covering a range of disciplines and geographical areas.   

The successful candidates will work closely with the lead investigator, Dr Toropova, to examine medical and cultural approaches to the traumatised mind in the Soviet republics between 1917 and 1953.

The candidates will have expertise in the history and the languages and cultures of one (or more) of the non-Russian republics of the Soviet Union, and will pursue independent research that advances the project aims of ‘Traumatised Minds’.

The candidates will be expected to undertake high quality research and conduct fieldwork, to produce sole authored journal articles and co-authored work with the lead investigator, to collaborate on the organisation of workshops and an edited volume, and to contribute to public engagement activities associated with the project.

The successful candidates are expected to reside in the UK for the duration of their fellowship (excluding periods of travel for fieldwork). Funding to cover the Research Fellows’ fieldwork travel expenses will be provided.

We are particularly keen to see applications from backgrounds currently under-represented in UK higher education. 

For details on the experience and skills required, please refer to the job description attached as a PDF below.

PhD Status

We welcome applications from early career researchers from all sections of the community from around the globe. Please note, however, that the PhD must be awarded by the job start date: 1 April 2026 for one post, 1 September 2026 for the second one.

The Warwick University History Department is one of the largest history departments in the UK, with teaching and research notable for its disciplinary range and geographical scope. The Department is comprised of ~ 50 academic staff, 5 postdoctoral staff, 13 support staff, ~1,000 undergraduate students, and ~80 postgraduate students. The Department has a strong international reputation and consistently high rankings in both UK and international surveys. In the recent REF 2021 exercise 92% of research was ranked as world leading (4*) or internationally excellent (3*). The Department is committed to maintaining and promoting equality, diversity and inclusion amongst its staff and student community.

The Department is home to six research centres: the Global History and Culture Centre; the Centre for the History of Medicine, Technology and Medicine; the European History Centre; the Early Modern and Eighteenth Century Centre; the Centre for Global Jewish Studies and the Centre for Caribbean Studies. We also engage with another faculty research centre:  The Centre for the Study of the Renaissance. 

We are a world-leading research-intensive university founded in 1965. We are ranked 106th in the world and 8th in the UK.* Additionally, 92% of our research is rated world-leading or internationally excellent.**

Find out more about us at warwick.ac.uk/about/.

* World University Ranking 2024, Guardian University Guide 2025

** Research Excellence Framework 2021

CLOSING DEADLINE: Monday 5 January 2025 at 11:55pm (UK Time)*

To apply, please click "Apply" below and submit an application form by the closing deadline.

You will be asked to include two attachments.**

The first attachment should include:

• A CV outlining your education and employment history, plus any other relevant experience (e.g. volunteering, extracurricular, etc.).

The second attachment should include:

• A covering letter outlining, using examples, how you meet the essential and desirable criteria detailed in the job description (PDF attached below).
• A 500-word research proposal outlining the research topic that you wish to pursue for the next 2 years, clarifying which Soviet republic(s) your work will focus on, and setting out how the proposed research would advance the aims of ‘Traumatised Minds’. 

Please specify in your application which starting date you would prefer: 1 April 2026 or 1 September 2026.

Writing samples might be requested from candidates at the shortlisting stage of the recruitment process and should not be submitted with the initial application. 

• Interview Date: February 2026
• Start Date: 1 April 2026 for one post, 1 September 2026 for the other.

* Please note application forms must be submitted before the stated deadline - you will not be able to submit after 23:55 (even if you opened the form earlier). Only applications submitted via our official careers portal (warwick-careers.tal.net) will be considered.

** Our application system can only accommodate a max. of two attachments, hence our asking candidates to include their covering letter and research proposal in a single document.

We provide a comprehensive range of benefits, including:

• An attractive pension scheme.
• 30 days holiday plus University Christmas closure.
• Generous parental/adoption leave policy.
• Onsite childcare facilities.
• Excellent learning and development opportunities.

We recognise the importance of a healthy work/life balance and offer access to flexible working arrangements. For more information, see here.

We are proud to be a Living Wage employer.

Equality, Diversity, & Inclusion

Warwick is committed to fostering a diverse, inclusive and respectful community where everyone can thrive. We welcome applications from all backgrounds, cultures, and communities, and actively encourage candidates from underrepresented groups to apply.

Find out more about our Social Inclusion work at Warwick.

Find out more about our awards and accreditations.

We are also one of the six founder institutions of the EUTOPIA European University Alliance.

Safeguarding & DBS

The University of Warwick is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all those we work with.

• Roles involving regulated activity are subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check at the appropriate level, in line with the DBS Code of Practice.
• The University will ensure that anyone subject to a barring order does not undertake any work with the barred group (children and/or adults).
• All employees, volunteers, and partners are expected to share our commitment to safeguarding.

Rehabilitation of Ex-Offenders

The University will not discriminate against applicants who make a disclosure relating to a conviction.

Disclosures at application stage are only visible to the DBS team, not to hiring panels. This ensures fairness and removes bias from the shortlisting process.