Post-doctoral scholarship social and/or economic history of Africa

Department: Department of History
Regime Full-time

Let’s shape the future - University of Antwerp

The University of Antwerp  is a dynamic, forward-thinking, European university. We offer an innovative academic education to more than 20000 students, conduct pioneering scientific research and play an important service-providing role in society. We are one of the largest, most international and most innovative employers in the region. With more than 6000 employees from 100 different countries, we are helping to build tomorrow's world every day. Through top scientific research, we push back boundaries and set a course for the future – a future that you can help to shape. 

The University of Antwerp (Belgium) is hiring a post-doctoral research fellow in the field of social and/or economic history of Africa:

Post-doctoral Scholarship (1-year – 100%): Social and/or Economic History of Africa.

Over the past fifteen years social and economic history research on Africa has evolved from a field dominated by debates on the (adverse) impact of colonialism to a much broader exploration of themes related to economic and urban development, material wellbeing or social inequalities. At the University of Antwerp, the existing collaboration between the Centre for Urban History and the Institute for Development Policy, joint together in the Antwerp Interdisciplinary Platform for Research into Inequality (AIPRIL), resulted in a structural initiative to strengthen research on the Social and Economic History of (Central) Africa. Together with the appointment of a new tenure-track research professor in this field, we are now looking for a post-doctoral researcher aiming to develop innovative research on the social and/or economic history of (Central) Africa. Potential topics include (but are not limited to) the history of urbanisation, (enslaved) labour, migration, wellbeing, inequality, political participation, health, demography, financial inclusion, etc.  

Position

• You develop innovative research in the field of Social and/or Economic History of Africa and communicate the results of this research via national and international scientific publications, presentations at conferences, and/or other publication outlets.
• You prepare an application for follow-up funding (notably Marie Curie IF Fellowship and/or FWO Postdoctoral Fellowship).
• You are embedded in the Centre for Urban History  of the University of Antwerp and participate actively in the research activities of this centre, the Great Lakes of Africa Centre  and AIPRIL  - Antwerp Interdisciplinary Platform for Research into Inequality.

Profile

• You hold a PhD in history, development policy or a related field, with a clear historical perspective.
• You are an excellent researcher, with an international track record and experience in research fields relevant to the objectives of the project.
• You are entitled to benefit from a postdoctoral scholarship at UAntwerpen, i.e. you spent at least 12 months of the three years prior to the start date of the status as a postdoctoral scholarship holder outside Belgium and did not work or study in Belgium during these 12 months. Short-term stays (e.g. holidays, participation in conferences, preparation for this stay as a postdoctoral scholarship holder) will not be taken into account.
• The postdoctoral scholarship is intended to support research mobility to Belgium. By the time the scholarship period starts, the postdoctoral scholarship holder must have moved to Belgium. Exceptions to this provision may be made only in exceptional cases upon reasoned request and with the approval of the supervisor and the Human Resources Department.
• During the appointment as a postdoctoral scholarship holder at the University of Antwerp, combinations with other scholarships, remuneration or professional activities in either employment or independent status will not be allowed, with the exception of a possible mobility allowance or family allowance provided for in the regulations of a public funding body.
• You are fluent in academic English.
• Your academic qualities comply with the requirements stipulated in the university’s policy
• You are quality-oriented, conscientious, creative and cooperative
• You have strong communication skills.

What we offer

• We offer a 1-year full-time (100%) postdoctoral scholarship.
• Your monthly scholarship amount is calculated according to the scholarship amounts  for postdoctoral scholarship holders on the pay scales for Contract Research Staff (Dutch: Bijzonder Academisch Personeel, BAP).
• You will do most of your work at the UAntwerpen City Campus, a dynamic and stimulating working environment. Working from home will be possible to a certain extent.
• The planned start date is between 1 October 2024 and 31 January 2025.

Want to apply?

• You can apply for this vacancy through the University of Antwerp’s online job application platform until 29/08/2024. Click on the 'Apply' button, complete the online application form and be sure to include the following attachments: (1) a motivation letter, (2) your academic CV, (3) any additional information you deem relevant for the selection.
• The selection committee will review all of the applications as soon as possible after the application deadline. As soon as a decision has been made, we will inform you about the next steps in the selection procedure.
• If you have any questions about the online application form, please check the frequently asked questions  or send an email to [email protected] . If you have any questions about the job itself, please contact one of the supervisors: prof. dr. Margot Luyckfasseel ([email protected] ), prof. dr. Tim Soens, Centre for Urban History ([email protected] ), or prof. dr. Tom De Herdt, Institute for Development Policy  ([email protected] )

The University of Antwerp received the European Commission’s HR Excellence in Research Award  for its HR policy. We are a sustainable, family-friendly organisation which invests in its employees’ growth. We encourage diversity  and attach great importance to an inclusive working environment and equal opportunities, regardless of gender identity, disability, race, ethnicity, religion or belief, sexual orientation or age. We encourage people from diverse backgrounds and with diverse characteristics to apply.