We're looking for a postdoctoral researcher to strengthen our team. We are looking for a person with the following profile:
- You have 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;
- You have a Ph.D. degree in semantic web or a related field by the starting date of the project;
- Your English is excellent and you have or are willing to obtain a working proficiency in Dutch.
In this use case, you will work on Tracing Contentious Entities and Concepts in Maritime History. This entails developing and evaluating language and semantic web technology to identify and trace concepts such as 'Dutch East India Company' and 'East India'. On the digital methodological strand, this sub-project will study the impact of digital processing tools on the hermeneutical practice of historical research. Your work will intersect with the food history use case on shared concepts and entities.
Why you should consider working with us:
Location, location, location: Our offices are located in a historical building in downtown Amsterdam. Researchers work together in projects and a shared office space and can choose to spend part of their time at home.
The team: We value a social, open and inquisitive, safe work environment where your input counts, not your job title, this means open conversations about pros and cons of a particular idea and approach based on content, not status. We also brew a mean cup of coffee and the office has a cooking club.
Good to know: The Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences is not an educational institution, this means that you can focus on building your research profile without a teaching load. We do work together with various Dutch universities so some teaching is an option.
About the procedure: Apply by 28 October 2026. Please do not provide more information than what is requested (motivation letter, CV, 1-page research-statement and one illustrative publication). If the committee requires more information, they will ask. The hiring committee will review the applications and invite candidates for an online interview with an optional second interview. The first round of interviews will take place in the week of 10 November.
Starting date & duration: the ideal starting date is 1 January 2027 as the project team prefers to fill the vacancy sooner rather than later. The position is for 12 months.
For more information: browse the Trifecta and DHLab websites or contact the PI.
About HuC
The KNAW Humanities Cluster stands for innovative and interdisciplinary research in the humanities and heritage sector.
The KNAW Humanities Cluster is a collaboration of three KNAW institutes: the Huygens Institute for the History of the Netherlands, the International Institute of Social History (IISH) and the Meertens Institute. In these institutes, we conduct pioneering and excellent humanities research (history, ethnology, literature, linguistics) using innovative methods in which informatics plays an important role. he business office of the KNAW Humanities Cluster supports these three institutes, as well as the Netherlands Institute for Advanced Study (NIAS) and the Netherlands Institute for War Documentation (NIOD), in their operational management. The KNAW Humanities Cluster has placed its operational management in a central business office and has a joint department for Digital Infrastructure, a Digital Humanities Lab and NL Lab.
Terms of employment
Depending on education and experience the minimum salary is 4.925 and the maximum salary is 6.682 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.