Postdoc ERC: Voices of Resistance and Resisting Enslavement

The International Institute of Social History (IISH) is searching for the research projects Voices of Resistance and Resisting Enslavement a

Postdoc Researcher (0.8-1.0 fte)

The projects Resisting Enslavement and Voices of Resistance investigate histories of slavery, resistance and racialization through the use of testimonies and personal accounts from court records from across the early modern European colonial empires in the Indonesian archipelago, the Indian Ocean and the Atlantic world.

What you will do
As a Postdoc your research engages with and expands the academic agenda on the history of slavery of the research projects and the IISH. You will collaborate closely with other members of the projects to contribute to collective output. This includes contributing to collective data sets on slave trade, resistance and stereotypes, as well as collective publications. You will take a responsible role in coordinating project meetings, organizing workshops and conferences, and in the outreach of the project (public stories). We are especially looking for someone who can bridge the Atlantic and the Indian Ocean in studying the history of slavery.

What you bring in
You strengthen the team with your research on slavery, resistance and/or racialization. You bring in expertise on archives and literature of (parts of) the Atlantic or Indian Ocean world, and command of Portuguese, French or Spanish languages.

You have enthusiasm for research and writing. You value collaboration and you actively help to create and foster a collegial working environment. You take responsibility for coordinating collective tasks within the project. You are an independent and innovative researcher, while actively helping others and contributing your insights, research and data to the team.

What do we offer?
As part of our research team, the members of the different projects collaborate closely around our shared research agenda that contributes to innovating the study of the history of slavery, slave trade, resistance and racialization. We foster a culture of collaboration, while encouraging individual development (including working towards new grant applications).

You will be part of a research team at the International Institute of Social History in Amsterdam and the Economic Social and Demographic History (ESDH) Department at the Radboud University in Nijmegen, and will participate in activities at both institutes. You will be based in the Research Department of the IISH in Amsterdam. Within the framework of the project, you will also participate in ongoing scholarly infrastructure initiatives, such as Exploring Slave Trade in Asia, the Global Labour Conflicts Hub and GLOBALISE.

This is what we expect from you:

• A completed PhD in history, or another discipline that is relevant to this research;
• Experience on and affinity with the history of slavery, history from below, colonialism, resistance and/or racialization;
• Experience with historical research in (colonial) archives for the Atlantic and/or wider Indian Ocean world;
• Proficiency of English, and at least one of the following languages: French, Portuguese or Spanish;
• Good writing skills;
• Experience with coordinating, collaborating or supervising tasks;
• A collegial, social, proactive and independent working attitude.

Response:
You can apply by sending:

- a motivation letter

- curriculum vitae

- the contact details of two references (email and phone number)

- one key publication

Deadline and application
Responses can be submitted until 13 October 2024 via the application button. Please ensure you submit all requested elements (CV, Motivation Letter, two References, key publication). These can be combined in one or two files (pdf or word). We ask only for the contact details of two references we can contact, it is not needed to include a reference letter. For more information about the vacancy you can contact Matthias van Rossum (projectleader and supervisor). The project descriptions can be found on the website of the IISH,  https://iisg.amsterdam.

About the IISG
The International Institute of Social History (IISG-KNAW) is an Academy research institute. IISG is one of the most prestigious social history research institutes worldwide. It examines how work and labour relations have developed globally over time. To support its research, it collects archives and data from all over the world. The relationship between its research and its data and archive collections contributes substantially to the institute’s unique nature.

Terms of employment
Depending on education and experience the minimum salary is 4.492 and the maximum salary is 6.148 gross per month for a full-time appointment (scale 11 cao Nederlandse Universiteiten/KNAW). This is exclusive of 8% vacation allowance, 8.3% year-end bonus, travel allowance, internet allowance, home working allowance and pension accrual with ABP.

The KNAW offers its staff an excellent package of secondary benefits. A package that meets the different needs of employees depending on their stage of life, lifestyle or career ambitions. For example, by working an extra two hours a week, it is possible to increase the number of days off from 29 to 41 days a year (with full-time employment).

For a complete overview of the terms of employment, please refer to the web page: werken bij de KNAW.

Applying for a Certificate of Good Conduct can be part of the employment procedure.

Diversity & Inclusion
The KNAW considers a working environment in which everyone feels welcome and appreciated of great importance. A working environment in which attention is paid to individual quality and where development opportunities are paramount. Together we strive for an inclusive culture in which we embrace differences. We would therefore like to invite candidates who want to contribute to this through their background and experience. In the event of equal suitability, preference will be given to the candidate who thus enhances diversity within the Academy.

We will not respond to any supplier enquiries based on this job advertisement.

Apply now »