About the role

We are seeking to appoint a Research Associate to join an interdisciplinary research team on a prestigious Wellcome Trust Discovery Award: Prisons, Drugs and Mental Health: an interdisciplinary global study. Led by PI Professor Clare Anderson, this ambitious international collaboration spans the arts, humanities and social sciences, and brings together partners from the University of Leicester, the University of Guyana, the University of the West Indies (Cave Hill) and the NGO Le Chantier in Mauritius.

You will contribute to historical research across six case study sites—Guyana, Barbados, Jamaica, Trinidad & Tobago, Mauritius, and Seychelles, exploring colonial and post-colonial legacies related to prisons, drugs and mental health. You will engage in archival research, primarily at The National Archives at Kew. In addition, you will work closely with the team conducting contemporary research through Law, Criminology and Arts: CIs Dr Tammy Ayres and Dr Lucy Evans, Leicester; Dr Mellissa Ifill, University of Guyana; Dr Janeille Matthews, UWI Cave Hill; Dr Vijaya Teelock, Le Chantier Mauritius; and associated RAs and PhD students. This may include research on post-colonial records in UK and overseas repositories.

Your role will encompass the analysis and dissemination of findings through scholarly publications and policy-relevant outputs. You will contribute to stakeholder engagement, support events including an international conference, and mentor early-career researchers and citizen researchers in-country.

About you

With a PhD in History or a related discipline (awarded prior to the start date) and expertise in British colonial history, particularly in relation to prisons, drugs or mental health, you will have experience of archival research and a clear understanding of decolonised approaches to scholarship. A proven track record of peer-reviewed publications and a demonstrable commitment to research impact and community engagement will be essential. Prior experience of research related to the British Caribbean, Mauritius or Seychelles, and language literacy in French and/ or Spanish, would be advantageous.

As part of a collaborative research team, you will need excellent communication and interpersonal skills, a collegial working style, and the ability to work both independently and collaboratively. You will be adept at managing your own workload and contributing to shared project milestones.

Additional information

For informal enquiries, please contact Clare Anderson on [email protected]

We anticipate that interviews will take place on 20 May 2025.

As part of the University’s ongoing commitment to professional development, this role will also be considered on a seconded basis for existing staff members. Please ensure this is discussed with your line manager prior to applying. More information regarding secondments can be found here.

The University of Leicester has been changing the world, and changing people’s lives, for 100 years. When you join us, you’ll become part of a community of Citizens of Change, which includes not only our staff and our current students but also thousands of Leicester graduates around the world.

As a diverse and forward-thinking employer, we embed the principles of equity, diversity and inclusion into everything we do. That includes not just our core missions of teaching and research, but also our support for staff, students and our local community through our values of Inspiring, Impactful and Inclusive.

We’re committed to the wellbeing of all our staff and to the sustainability of our environment, on our campus and beyond. We offer a competitive salary package, excellent pension scheme and a generous annual leave allowance, along with opportunities to develop your career in a supportive and collaborative environment.

Job Summary

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Research Associate - Prisons, Drugs and Mental Health: an interdisciplinary global study

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