PhD Computational Science for SevenFrontiers - IISH

What you will be doing
The aim of the ERC-funded SevenFrontiers project is to acquire a comprehensive understanding of the immense transformative effects of commodity frontiers in the Global South that fed the rise of early industrial capitalism, in the decisive years between the end of the Napoleonic Wars and the opening of the Suez Canal in in 1869. For further information see: https://iisg.amsterdam/nl/blog/erc-grant-sevenfrontiers-project.

Your task will be to map commodity trade in the seven most exported commodities from the Global South in these years (sugar, cotton, coffee, tea, precious metals (gold/silver), opium, and cereals). This will be done through automated reading of digitized newspapers and other relevant documents in search for trade-related data (prices, volumes, qualities, transactions and actors). You will develop and evaluate language and semantic web technology to identify and trace these concepts and to study the impact of digital processing tools on the hermeneutical practice of historical research.

You will conduct your research under the supervision of Prof. Ulbe Bosma (IISH) and dr. Marieke van Erp (head Digital Humanities Research Lab (DHLab) of KNAW Humanities). At the IISH you will be part of larger team of a postdoctoral researcher, 2 PhD researchers and student assistants. In addition, your work will specifically connect to the ERC Consolidator project TRIFECTA awarded to Dr. Van Erp so you will spend part of your time at DHLab. For further information on TRIFECTA see: https://trifecta.dhlab.nl and on DHLab see https://dhlab.nl

What you will be contributing

• You will bring an open-minded and collaborative attitude towards doing groundbreaking digital humanities research; 
• You have a firm grasp on computational methods and are willing to achieve proficiency in historical research methods or you are a historian willing to achieve proficiency in computational methods; 
• You will need to have finished your MA in history or a related field or MSc in language technology, semantic web or a related field by the starting date of the project; 
• Your English is excellent and proficiency in one or two other project languages such as French and Spanish  considered a bonus.

What we are offering
The IISH is a leading institute in the field of global history. It offers a welcoming environment for researchers from all over the world. DHLab is a pioneering group investigating and developing innovative, data-driven, and computationally strong methods for humanities research. Both are part of the KNAW Humanities cluster, which is strong in developing computational methods for connecting collections and resources, computational heuristics and tool criticism, aiming to bridge qualitative and quantitative methods.

During the project, you will be working towards your Ph.D. and receive further training in working in interdisciplinary digital humanities projects, preparing you for a career in research or innovation.

Your workplace
Your main office will at the IISH in Amsterdam East but you will also spend part of your time in the city centre at DHLab. Both the IISH research department and DHLab aim to be open and inquisitive, safe work environments where your input counts, not your job title. We value open conversations about pros and cons of a particular idea and approach based on content, not status.  

For more information
Please contact: Prof. Ulbe Bosma, ubo@iisg.nl

Application procedure

Please submit a CV, cover letter that includes a motivation on why you want to work on this project and a 1-page research statement. Submit your application via the ATS system by 1 July 2025. The first round of interviews will take place on 15 July.

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 2.901 and the maximum salary is 3.707 gross per month for a full-time appointment (scale P 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.