PhD placement: the Norman Conquest

Calum Cockburn (Curator of Medieval Manuscripts) and Claire Breay (Head of Ancient, Medieval and Early Modern MSS).

Three six-month placements are available.

Earliest start date (for first placement): June 2026.

Latest end date (for third placement): June 2027.

Placement holders will be funded £11,390 for the duration of their six-month placement.

Can only be offered on a full-time basis.

Placement holders must be able to work onsite at the British Library, London.

PhD placement students are welcome to access a wide range of workshops, talks and training available at the Library. Supervisors will offer advice on which opportunities may be of particular relevance. Depending on availability, these wider training opportunities may include, for example, the Digital Scholarship Training Programme, Research Packed Lunches and staff talks. 

In addition, this PhD placement will provide the following opportunities:

• Gaining first-hand experience with historic manuscript collections
• Experience of developing an exhibition
• Experience of collaborating as a team
• Experience of writing for a general audience
• Using social media for heritage promotion.

The Library welcomes applications to its PhD Placement Scheme from all current PhD students registered with a UK university.

International PhD students are eligible to apply, subject to meeting any UK visa/residency requirements. It is the responsibility of the student to ensure they are meeting these requirements. We are unable to provide sponsorship or advice for visas.

The Library is an equal opportunities placement provider and encourages applications from PhD students from all backgrounds.

PhD placement scheme applicants must have the support of their supervisor. Successful applicants must secure the approval of their institution and training grant provider as necessary.

In addition, the following applies:

• If you are in the final year of your PhD: You are eligible to apply, provided that you are able to undertake all of the placement prior to submission of your thesis
• If you have not begun your PhD: If you have been accepted as a PhD student from academic year 2026/27 onwards, you are not eligible to apply in this round. Sign up to our mailing list to hear about future opportunities. Our PhD Placement Scheme runs annually.
• For both on-site and remote placements, you must be based in the UK at the time of undertaking the placement.
• The Library is responsible for all documentation relating to the placements, and no additional paperwork will be completed. The student is advised to check in advance of application that the Library's paperwork is acceptable for their HEI's internal processes.

All applicants will be expected to demonstrate the following: 

• Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing, internally and externally
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office applications and online meeting tools
• Ability to follow instructions and policies, in particular with regard to health and safety and the safe use of collections
• Ability to work effectively with others while also completing tasks independently
• Clear reasons for applying to a specific placement and good understanding of the project purpose.

In addition, this specific placement project requires applicants to demonstrate the following: 

• Strong knowledge of the history of England in the 11th and 12th centuries
• Strong skills in medieval palaeography relevant to 11th- and 12th-century manuscripts
• The ability to read Latin
• Experience of writing about any aspect of medieval studies for a general public audience.

All applications will be assessed against the criteria specified under ‘Required knowledge and skills’ included in the placement description.

We receive a high volume of applications, but all applicants will be notified whether they have been shortlisted for interview approximately 2–3 weeks after the deadline. Applicants shortlisted for the next stage will be invited to interview in April 2026. Interviews will be held using Microsoft Teams in April or May 2026. All placement offers and start dates for successful candidates will be subject to the British Library’s security clearance processes, which may take up to 6 weeks.

Placements offer student development opportunities within the specific context outlined in each project description and for the duration indicated. A placement offer does not constitute an offer of temporary or permanent employment at the British Library.