Job title:
Postdoctoral Researcher in the History of Historiography at the University of Leuven (KU Leuven): French and American Historical Societies in an Era of Globalization
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Job description
Offer DescriptionThe postdoctoral project is part of the larger research project GLOBAL ACADEMIES, funded by a Starting Grant of the European Research Council (ERC) and supervised by prof. dr. Joris Vandendriessche. The project uses scientific societies as a lens to scrutinize the changing social relations between scientists at a global scale over the course of the twentieth century. The project focuses more specifically on the regulatory role of scientific societies within science (e.g. by organizing conferences, selecting speakers, allocating prizes, electing boards etc.) during a period of intense social and geopolitical changes, such as decolonization and the Cold War. To uncover this regulatory role, the project will look at how formal and informal codes of conduct led societies to distinguish – consciously or unintentionally – between (sub)groups of scientists (e.g. women scholars, scholars with different nationalities or socio-political views), and to in- or exclude these groups from aspects of scientific practice. In addition, the project investigates how codes of conduct related to the setting and maintaining of scientific standards, and to coping with (political) dissent. The results of this research will contribute to a better awareness of the versatile regulatory role of scientific societies within science, and will offer a nuanced historical perspective to the initiatives taken by present-day academies on diversity in science.For more information about the project:The postdoctoral researcher will develop comparative historical research on historical societies and academies in France and the USA. In the USA, post-WWI structures of ‘elite’ science became eroded earlier than elsewhere in a political culture oriented towards democratization. Yet, research may reveal how this egalitarian rhetoric was juxtaposed with a reality of excluding scholars on the basis of gender, ethnicity and political ideology. France was a much more conservative country when it came to academic hierarchies and traditions in relation to democratization. Research into French societies may uncover the difficult incorporation of new social groups and the possible resistance against what may be felt as an ‘Americanization’ of scientific standards. To enable comparative research, the focus will be on scientific societies for historians (Société de l’Histoire de France, American Historical Association) and their relation to international societies and international organizations (International Committee for Historical Sciences, UNESCO). The research will involve journal analysis, archival research and oral hist… For more information seeWhere to apply WebsiteRequirementsResearch Field History Education Level PhD or equivalentLanguages DUTCH Level ExcellentLanguages ENGLISH Level GoodAdditional InformationBenefitsWe offer a fully funded, full-time postdoctoral position for the duration of 2 years. The initial contract will cover 1 year. After a positive evaluation, this can be extended with 1 year. Salary and benefits are in accordance with the university salary scales for postdoctoral researchers.You will carry out your postdoctoral research as part of the international research project GLOBAL ACADEMIES (funded by a Starting Grant from the European Research Council, N. 101042343) in the stimulating intellectual environment of KU Leuven’s History Department, which has a lively international community of (postdoctoral) researchers.You will benefit from guidance from experts in the field. You will be given a work space and the resources to attend and present at conferences, to publish in open access journals, and to cover travel expenses for research in France and the United States.Eligibility criteria-You have strong academic abilities and you have completed (or are about to complete) a Doctoral Degree in History or an equivalent degree in which a historical and/or a science studies and/or a gender and ethnicity studies perspective played a prominent role.-You have strong affinity and/or research experience with the field of history of historiography and historical culture.-You can read and speak Dutch, and are willing to teach in Dutch in the History Program at KU Leuven. The teaching duties comprise two overview courses, one in cultural history and one in historiography, at the bachelor level.-You can read and speak English and French, are prepared to publish in English.-You are willing to conduct substantial research stays (e.g. up to 6 months in total) in France and the United States to conduct oral history interviews and archival research.-You are willing to work in Leuven and live in Belgium during the main period of the PhD scholarship.-You are willing to communicate on your research at conferences, on social media, through publications, and by engaging in outreach activities in collaboration with present-day academies and scientific societies, which will be involved as stakeholders in the project.-You are willing to work in a team and to engage in comparative historical research, which involves close collaboration among the team members, and to play an active role within the Cultural History since 1750 Research Group.Selection processFor more information please contact Prof. dr. Joris Vandendriessche, tel.: +32 16 32 50 17, mail: .Candidates are invited to submit their application in English or Dutch, consisting of:– a cv, including a detailed list of publications– a letter of motivation stating the candidate’s qualifications and reasons for interest in the position– a writing sample, in pdf (e.g. a published article, a chapter of the dissertation …)– the contact information of two references (including information on relationship with the applicant).– a research plan (max. 2 pages) developing a strategy for the envisioned research project (e.g. research questions, methodological choices)Interviews with a selection of the applicants are scheduled on 29 April 2025. Candidates who are selected will be notified by 23 April 2025.You can apply for this job no later than 11/04/2025 via theWork Location(s)Number of offers available 1 Company/Institute KU Leuven Country Belgium State/Province Vlaams Brabant City Leuven Postal Code 3000 Street Leuven GeofieldContact State/ProvinceLeuven CityVlaams Brabant StreetLeuven Postal Code3000 E-Mailjoris.vandendriessche@kuleuven.beSTATUS: EXPIREDShare this page
Expected salary
Location
Louvain, Brabant Flamand
Job date
Sat, 22 Mar 2025 23:29:32 GMT
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