"Post-doctoral Research Fellow in Israel Studies"

About the Role:

The Oxford School of Global and Area Studies (OSGA) invites applications from candidates with relevant qualifications and experience for a 3-year fixed-term externally funded postdoctoral research position, commencing on 1st October 2026 or as soon as possible thereafter. The School is seeking a candidate possessing expert knowledge of the relevant field of research and pertinent skills to manage academic research projects and associated activities, who will be able to play a leading role in developing Israel Studies at the University of Oxford.

The researcher will work alongside Professor Yaacov Yadgar, the Stanley Lewis Professor of Israel Studies. The successful candidate will be given the opportunity to launch their post-doctoral career. They will have a vibrant and dynamic research agenda, pursuing new and original independent research projects, and presenting their research in Oxford and other academic venues. They will be responsible for co-leading and developing the field of Israel Studies in Oxford: contributing towards teaching and supervision in their area of expertise; organising research seminars and conferences; and cultivating links with other scholars in relevant fields of research.

They will be pursuing an independent programme of advanced study and research in Israel Studies, prepare research publications and publish high-quality research in peer-reviewed journals and presses, contributing towards teaching in their area of expertise. Further duties will include organising research seminars and conferences and supervising master’s dissertations for students studying on the MPhil programmes in Global and Area Studies (GAS). The successful post holders will also be asked to contribute towards Global and Areas Studies and Modern Middle East teaching by offering an option course on Main Themes in Israeli Society and Politics at the Oxford School of Global and Area Studies.

What we offer

Working at the University of Oxford offers several exclusive benefits, such as:

• 38 days of annual leave (inclusive of public holidays) to support your wellbeing, with the option to purchase up to 10 extra days and additional leave after long service.
• One of the most generous family leave schemes in UK higher education, offering up to 26 weeks of full-pay maternity and adoption leave, plus 12 weeks of full-pay paternity/partner leave.
• An excellent contributory pension scheme.
• Affordable and sustainable commuting options, including a cycle loan scheme, discounted bus travel, and season ticket loans.
• Access to a vibrant community through our social, cultural, and sports clubs.

About You:

The successful candidate will hold, or be close to completion of, a relevant doctorate by the time of the start of employment, and no earlier than three years before 1st January 2026. Applicants from all academic fields will be considered. They will be able to demonstrate excellent communication skills, including writing for publication, presenting research papers at academic seminars and conferences and publishing high-quality research in peer-reviewed international journals and presses. Further essential criteria for the role include a commitment to teaching and supervising postgraduate students.

We welcome applications from candidates with previous experience in:
•   delivering teaching and thesis supervision
•   independently leading a research programme and
•   working collaboratively with researchers.

We are committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse academic environment. Applications are particularly welcome from women and Black and minority ethnic candidates, who are under-represented in academic posts in Oxford.

If, for any reason, a candidate has taken a career break or has had an atypical career and wishes to disclose this in their application, the selection committee will take this into account, recognising that the quantity of your experience may be reduced as a result.

The School holds a Bronze Athena Swan Award to recognise the advancement of gender equality, representation and progression.

How to Apply:

Applications are to be submitted via Oxford University’s website: please click on the “Apply Now” button and follow the application instructions. You will be asked to upload a CV, a supporting statement explaining how you meet each of the selection criteria for the post as well as a short statement of your proposed research project. For further details of your application, including the job description and selection criteria, please refer to the attached job description below. We request that candidates do not submit any published work at this stage.

For initial queries about the post, visas and application process please contact the HR Office at recruitment@area.ox.ac.uk. Any queries about the post that are non-administrative should be addressed to Professor Yaacov Yadgar at yaacov.yadgar@area.ox.ac.uk.

All enquiries will be treated in strict confidence; they will not form part of the selection decision. The successful candidates will be offered visa application support, if required, to allow them to apply to appropriate sponsorship schemes from the UK or from overseas.

If you, as an applicant, require reasonable adjustments to be made in the interview process, please do reach out and discuss this with our HR team at recruitment@area.ox.ac.uk. We will do our best to facilitate and accommodate reasonable adjustments

The closing date for applications is 12.00 noon (UK time) on Friday 13th March. Interviews are to be held remotely on Tuesday 21st April 2026