PhD Researcher Global-Micro History Slavery Asia

The International Institute of Social History (IISH) is searching for the research project Voices of Resistance one 

PhD Researcher (0.8 to 1.0 fte)

The project Voices of Resistance: A Global Micro-Historical Approach to Enslavement across the Atlantic and Indian Ocean investigates histories of enslavement, slavery and racialization through the use of testimonies and personal accounts from court records and other primary source material from across the early modern European colonial empires in the Indonesian archipelago, the Indian Ocean and the Atlantic. The PhD project is open to a researcher that will study one of the following additional archives and case studies: the Catholic religious orders, the Danish and/or other Scandinavian merchants and companies, or relevant local archives in vernacular languages of societies across the Indian Ocean, East Asia and the Indonesian Archipelago. The project focusses on archives and sources that bring ‘everyday’ perspectives into the history writing of slavery, enslavement and racialization. The focus of the empirical part project is on the period from the sixteenth to eighteenth century, and on contributing case studies from outside the Atlantic as a way to balance and renew historiography.

What you will do

You will be employed as a PhD researcher within the collaborative research project. Under close supervision of the project leaders, you will work independently on your PhD research. As part of your employment, you will also collaborate and engage with the team on collective aspects of the research project, such as creating data sets (on slave trade, enslavement and stereotypes), organising meetings and contributing to the outreach of the project through public stories.

You will be part of a combined research team engaged with the global and local histories of slavery. You will be employed and based at the International Institute of Social History in Amsterdam, and also in the Economic, Social and Demographic History (ESDH) Department at the Radboud University in Nijmegen, and you will participate in activities at both institutes.

What you bring in

You have enthusiasm for research and writing. You are independent, but like to engage with colleagues in an open and collaborative manner. You have knowledge of and affinity with the history of slavery, colonialism, resistance and/or racialization. It is highly recommended if you have experience with social history, the use of the (proposed) early modern colonial archive, or other relevant aspects of the research.

What do we offer?

You will work in the Research Department of the IISH in Amsterdam, and participate in the department of Economic Social and Demographic History and the Graduate School of Radboud Institute for Culture and History in Nijmegen. Within the framework of the project, you will furthermore participate in the NW Posthumus Institute for economic and social history and connect to ongoing scholarly projects, such as Exploring Slave Trade in Asia, the Global Labour Conflicts Hub and GLOBALISE.

This is what we expect from you:

• A completed research master's or master's degree in history, or another discipline that is relevant to this research;
• Affinity with the history of slavery; or with history from 'below', the history of colonialism and/or resistance;
• Experience with historical (source-based) research;
• Proficiency of English, and at least (one of) the languages relevant for the case study your propose;
• Good writing skills;
• An independent, active, social and collegial working attitude.

Response:

You can apply by sending:

- curriculum vitae

- the questionnaire and a short proposal (see below)

- a motivation letter

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

Questionnaire and Short Proposal

Please answer the following questions (within the maximum 100 words):

• What do you find interesting in this research project?

• Why do you want to complete a PhD?

• What skills or experiences do you have that would be useful for this project and research?

• Short proposal: How would you approach the research of your proposed PhD project? And how will it contribute to the overall research project? (max. 600 words)
  Please address: research question(s); source material (case study); approach and methodology; region and period of time; contribution to the project.

Deadline and application

Responses can be submitted until 15 June 2025 via the application button.

Please ensure you submit all requested elements (CV, Questionnaire and Short Proposal, Motivation Letter, contact details of two references). Please combine these in one or maximum two files (pdf or word) before submitting.

The questionnaire is intended to enhance equal opportunities between applicants. In the short proposal (part of the questionnaire) you can provide your ideas on the archival material and case study you would like to focus on. In the motivation letter you can discuss your motivation or other additional information you find relevant for your application. We also ask you for the contact details of two references we can contact (these could be, for example, supervisors, lecturers, scholars or others you have worked with). We only request their contact details, it is not needed to include a reference letter.

In the interview stage of the selection procedure, we may ask for a sample of a text written by you (thesis; publication; otherwise) that gives a good impression of your writing skills. We aim to have the interviews within three weeks after the deadline.

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. Salary placement will depend on your qualifications and experience. Although scale 11 is preferred, a preliminary starting (scale 10) may be considered if necessary. An initial one-year contract is offered, with the possibility of transitioning to a permanent role based on performance.

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.