Vacancy: Northern Bridge Collaborative Doctoral Awards PhD opportunity: The Growth and Decline of North East Jewish Communities, 1881-2000

About the role

This PhD project explores the growth and decline of North East Jewish communities in the period 1881-2000. The industrial growth of the late Victorian period coincided with Jewish diasporic migration globally, and the North East of England experienced significant growth in its Jewish population. However, this growth was followed by a dramatic decline in the latter half of the twentieth century. The project aims to understand the reasons behind this decline and its impact on the urban centres of Newcastle, Sunderland, and other smaller towns.

Responsibilities

The project will employ a network analysis approach to trace the growth and decline of these communities, drawing on archival documents housed at the Tyne & Wear Archives & Museum (TWAM) in Newcastle. The project will also use oral history to examine the personal, familial, and communal lived experience of this loss. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to learn how public-facing heritage projects develop from the inside and gain direct experience of research impact and knowledge transfer.

Requirements

• Submit a two-page CV and a personal statement of no more than two pages explaining why they would be an ideal match for the project by 31 January 2024
• Meet the entry requirements for Durham’s History PhD programme

Qualifications and Skills

The ideal candidate will have a strong background in history and research skills. The ability to work with archival documents and conduct oral history interviews is desirable.

Benefits

The project offers a unique opportunity for the PhD student to collaborate with Durham University’s History Department and the TWAM, and to gain experience in research impact and knowledge transfer.