The Amsterdam School of Historical Studies (ASH) currently has a vacant Postdoc researcher position as part of the broader field of Cultural Heritage and Identity. Within this field the focus is on material and immaterial heritage, including digital Humanities and on Cultural Heritage and societal changes. ASH is one of the five Research Schools within the Amsterdam Institute for Humanities Research.

What are you going to do?

This postdoc position will focus on the intersection of (im)material culture and histories of colonialism. At ASH, we are looking for a postdoc who will contribute to our research on colonialism and its afterlives from a strong historical perspective. We are particularly interested in projects that focus on the historical and contemporary meanings of material and immaterial legacies of colonialism, the national and global histories of which they are a part, and the related contemporary societal questions around issues of (contested) heritage, cultural identity and belonging. We welcome projects that connect the (im)material legacies of colonialism to modern history, public history, architectural and urban history, or environmental history - thematic research groups that have a strong presence within ASH.

We are looking for a postdoc with a background in (post)colonial history, art history or architectural history, with a specific focus on the material and immaterial legacies of global encounters and histories of empire. They will develop their own research project, contribute to interdisciplinary research on colonialism and its afterlives within ASH and advance collaborations with relevant heritage institutions nationally and/or internationally. We strongly encourage projects that also include collaborations with societal partners and that actively connect academic research to a broader non-academic public.

The postdoc will take an active role within one of ASH's research groups or centres, for example the research group Modern History or the Amsterdam Centre for Urban History, and help develop a new interdisciplinary group on colonial and postcolonial history.

Your tasks and responsibilities:

• conducting research, presenting intermediate research results at relevant workshops and conferences and publishing (the equivalent of) two peer reviewed articles;
• participating in research groups and centres within ASH;
• help setting up collaborative research activities within ASH;
• co-organising collaborations with relevant cultural institutions.

Your experience and profile:

• a PhD in History, Art History, Architectural History or another relevant field;
• excellent research skills demonstrated by a track record of publishing in high-ranking journals and/or with leading presses or a demonstrable capacity to develop such a record;
• a strong cooperative attitude and proven ability to engage in collaborative research;
• enthusiasm for communicating academic research to non-academic audiences;
• excellent command of English.

The Postdoc researcher will be appointed at the History, European Studies and Religious Studies Department or the Arts and Culture Department of the Faculty of Humanities at the University of Amsterdam and will conduct research their research within ASH. The employment contract will be for one year. Contingent on a positive performance evaluation the contract will be extended with one year. The employment contract is for 30,4 - 38 hours a week. Preferred starting date is 01 October 2022.

The gross monthly salary, based on 38 hours per week and relevant experience, ranges between € 3,974 to € 5,439. This sum does not include the 8% holiday allowance and the 8,3% year-end allowance. A favourable tax agreement, the '30% ruling', may apply to non-Dutch applicants. The Collective Labour Agreement of Dutch Universities is applicable.

What else do we offer

• excellent possibilities for further professional development and education;
• an enthusiastic and inspiring research environment;
• the opportunity to collaborate with leading researchers at research institutes that - partly as a result of their interdisciplinary approach - are world renowned.

Faculty of Humanities

The University of Amsterdam is the Netherlands' largest university, offering the widest range of academic programmes. At the UvA, 30,000 students, 6,000 staff members and 3,000 PhD candidates study and work in a diverse range of fields, connected by a culture of curiosity.

The Faculty of Humanities provides education and conducts research with a strong international profile in a large number of disciplines in de field of language and culture. Located in the heart of Amsterdam, the faculty maintains close ties with many cultural institutes in the capital city. Research and teaching staff focus on interdisciplinary collaboration and are active in several teaching programmes.

Want to know more about our organisation? Read more about working at the University of Amsterdam.