Overview
Research Assistant/Associate role at Newcastle University, focused on the AHRC-funded project “Unlocking the Musical Collections of England’s County Record Offices.” The post is 0.4FTE (14.8 hours per week), fixed‑term for 7 months, starting no later than 12 January 2026.
Salary
Research Assistant: £33,002 to £34,610 per annum
Research Associate: £35,608 to £37,694 per annum
The Role
The project is uncovering and investigating music manuscripts and printed sources from c.1550 to c.1850 held in local archives across England. The postdoctoral Research Assistant/Associate (RA) will work with Professor Kirsten Gibson and the full project team to contribute to all work packages. Responsibilities include cataloguing musical sources, generating research data for the Répertoire International des Sources Musicales, presenting progress reports, delivering conference presentations, designing and delivering public engagement activities, and carrying out project administration.
Key Accountabilities
* Undertake research on musical sources held in England’s local archives.
* Undertake bibliographical analyses of these sources.
* Generate research data suitable for entry into the open‑access union catalogue of musical sources.
* Present regular progress reports to team members and project partners.
* Plan, prepare, and deliver conference presentations on project findings.
* Design and deliver co‑created public engagement activities involving local communities.
* Carry out administrative tasks associated with the research project, including organising meetings, financial control, and risk assessment.
* Undertake regular professional development within the research area.
The Person
Knowledge, Skills And Experience
* Knowledge of English music history from the late 16th to early 19th centuries.
* Knowledge of relevant research methods, including historical musicology and bibliographical description.
* Ability to read historical musical notation and 17th/18th‑century handwriting.
* Attention to detail and high accuracy.
* Proven ability to analyse data and write up results.
* Ability to present complex information effectively.
* Practical experience applying specialist skills and techniques.
* Experience with webpage software to create engaging copy and images.
* Excellent IT skills in major Office applications.
Desirable
* Knowledge of cataloguing practices in archives and for rare music.
* Experience conducting research in local archives.
* Experience running public engagement activities.
* Evidence of publication record in scholarly journals.
* Experience with digital humanities techniques such as geo‑mapping tools.
Attributes and Behaviour
* Ability to work as part of a multi‑skilled research team.
* Strong negotiation, prioritisation, and deadline management skills.
* Commitment to continued professional development.
* Commitment to equality, inclusion, and diversity.
Desirable (additional travel)
* Ability to travel across the UK and work occasionally at evenings or weekends for public engagement events.
Qualifications
* PhD in a relevant subject for Research Associate (or near completion for appointment of Research Assistant).
Newcastle University is a global University where everyone is treated with dignity and respect. We are a fully inclusive university actively recruiting, supporting, and retaining colleagues from all sectors of society. We value diversity and celebrate, support, and thrive on the contributions of all employees and communities. We are an equal opportunities employer and encourage applications from individuals who can complement our existing teams.
We hold a gold Athena Swan award for gender equality and a Race Equality Charter Bronze award. We are a Disability Confident employer and will offer an interview to disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the role as part of the offer and interview scheme. We are a member of the Euraxess initiative supporting researchers in Europe.
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