Student assistant Travel Journals

The International Institute of Social History (IISH-KNAW) has a vacancy for a project that inventories our unique collections of travelogues and maps:

Student Assistant (0,4 fte)

The IISH is preparing to make a unique series of circa 3.500 travel journals travelogues (travelogues) and colonial maps that are part of the KNAW collection more widely available. It is the aim to inventory, describe, and later partly digitize and enrich these travel journals and potentially maps. The project will focus on travelogues (and maps) that provide information on societies and social relations in Asia, Africa and the America's in the period between 1500 and 1900. 

What will be your tasks?

As student assistant you will take care of the inventorisation and preparation needed for this project by:

- Creating and completing a detailed inventory (with descriptions) of the manuscripts of the collection;
- Identifying what parts of the collection are unique (esp. manuscripts, potentially also maps), and what parts are also available in other library and archival institutions (in similar or different prints) and whether such other versions are digitally available (including what quality and technical format the digital versions have);

- Advising on prioritization for digitization and possibilities for digital enrichments that serve historical research and wider audiences.

You will be supervised and work as part of our combined projects research team that explores the history of slavery, slave trade and colonialism. You will actively gather input, advice and relevant (processing) guidelines from colleagues of the Collection department.

What are we looking for in the Student Assistant?

We are looking for a Student Assistant that would like to gain experience of working in an academic and archival context, and who is inspired by working with the collections, especially early modern travel journals (potentially also maps). We are looking for a Student Assistant that is independent, motivated and communicative. You will work in a collaborative and social atmosphere, but you will work on dedicated tasks that require precision and discipline (especially the manuscript descriptions, (online) catalogue research and data entry work for the inventory).

You will need to have familiarity with colonial, non-European or travel writing histories. It will also be helpful if you have experience with working with manuscript and archival collections, data processing (or digital methods), or other relevant skills. 

What do we offer?

The Student Assistant will be integrated in the Research Department of the IISH and have active contact with the Collection Departments. You will be involved in the combined research team of slavery research projects and activities of the Research Department.

What do we need from you?

• You are enrolled as a student, preferably in History, Archival Studies or another relevant discipline;
• Knowledge and affinity regarding the history colonialism, non-European history, and/or travel writing;
• Experience in working on intellectual tasks that require precision, discipline and speed; experience with processing data (e.g. in Excell or other environments);
• Experience with reading early modern travelogues and print letters (e.g. Gothic);
• Sufficient command (passive/reading) of French, German and/or other relevant languages.

How to apply to this vacancy?

You can apply to this Student Assistant position by submitting the following documents:

• A Curriculum vitae
• A motivation letter
• A document with answers to the Questionnaire.

Questionnaire:

• Why do you want to be a Student Assistant at the IISH?
• Why are you interested in this project specifically?
• What makes you the ideal candidate for this position?
• What skills, competences and experiences do you have that will benefit the development of the project?

Each answer should not exceed 100 words. 

Please combine the files (CV, Letter, Questionnaire) in one or maximum two files (pdf or word) before submitting.

For more information about this Student Assistant vacancy, please contact Matthias van Rossum (mvr@iisg.nl). 

Applications can be submitted until 15 June 2025 via the “sollicitatieknop”. The interviews will most likely take place in the last week of June or first week of July 2025.

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.