PhD i inter-island history of slavery in the Lesser Antilles c. 1650-1850

The Saxo Institute at the University of Copenhagen is pleased to announce a call for applications for a 3-year fully funded PhD scholarship in the inter-island history of slavery in the Lesser Antilles c. 1650 – 1850. The position is available from January 1, 2022 or as soon as possible thereafter.

The position is part of the research project ‘In the Same Sea: The Lesser Antilles as a Common World of Slavery and Freedom’, funded by the European Research Council. In the Same Sea investigates the shared history of the Lesser Antilles from the 1650s to the 1850s. The research team explores how the islands of the Lesser Antilles were shaped by inter-island connections that transformed separate islands in different empires into a common world of slavery and freedom.

The successful candidate will carry out independent research on how members of various social groups attempted to consolidate their futures in the Lesser Antilles. Research may include, but is not limited to, questions about how islanders engaged with and used natural resources, the formation of inter-island familial ties among white elites and/or free people of color, and the development of cultural practices aimed at withstanding the hazards of living in fragile, overexploited societies.

In addition to conducting independent research, the candidate will participate in the team’s research activities, including the construction of databases and maps. For more, see IN THE SAME SEA

For further information, please contact Associate Professor Dr. Gunvor Simonsen . Dr. Simonsen will also act as supervisor.

For questions about the Saxo Institute and the PhD-program, refer to Associate Professor Søren Rud .

Qualification requirements
The successful candidate will have excellent communication skills in English, both spoken and written. Experience with database construction (Access) and map construction (ArcGIS and Adobe Illustrator) will be an advantage. In addition, candidates will have the skills to conduct research in Danish and English and, in time, in Dutch and/or French.

Admission requirements
Applicants should hold a two-year Master’s degree (120 ECTS) or the equivalent in history or a similar discipline. If the MA-thesis is not completed at the application deadline, applicants must send pre-approval of their thesis.

If the MA diploma and/or examination records are in another language than English, German, French, Spanish, Danish, Norwegian or Swedish, please include a translation into either of these languages in your application.

The translation of diplomas/certificates and transcripts must be made or approved by either of the following:

• A state-authorized translator
• The embassy or consulate of the country where the original document was issued or where the translation was made  
• A Danish consulate/embassy  

The administration encourages applicants from within the EU to enclose a Diploma Supplement. The Diploma Supplement is part of a common European framework for transparency of competencies and qualifications see Europass / EU .

Application

The application should include the following:

1. Cover letter

(2,400 characters)

2. CV  

Please include a complete CV, including a list of publications where relevant.  

3. Writing sample

Please include an example of your academic writing in English, such as an article or a MA-thesis chapter.

4. Diploma and transcript of records 

Please include the following documentation:

• A copy of the applicant’s Master’s degree diploma (if not available before the application deadline, a pre-approval must be submitted)  
• A copy of the applicant’s Master’s degree transcript of records (an official description of the grading scale must be included)  
• A copy of the applicant’s Bachelor’s degree diploma  
• A copy of the applicant’s Bachelor’s degree transcript of records (an official description of the grading scale must be included)  

Recruitment process

Applicants are selected for assessment on the advice of an Appointment Committee. All applicants will be notified of the decision of the Appointment Committee. Following shortlisting, an Assessment Committee is appointed. Shortlisted applicants are notified of the composition of this committee. Applicants have the opportunity to comment on the assessment of their own application. Following assessment, a number of qualified candidates will be invited for an interview.

For further information on the recruitment process: Recruitment, UCPH .

Enrolment
As a PhD student at The Faculty of Humanities, University of Copenhagen, you will be supervised for approximately 180 hours distributed over 6 semesters. In addition to this, you must complete PhD courses of a total approximating 30 ECTS. On completion of the PhD program, you must submit a PhD thesis.

For more information: PhD studies, Faculty of Humanities, UCPH .

Terms of Employment
PhD students at the Faculty of Humanities are appointed under the terms and conditions of the collective agreement between the Danish Ministry of Finance and the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations.

As an equal opportunity employer, the university invites applications from all interested candidates regardless of gender, age, ethnic origin or religion.

Contact information
For any further questions regarding recruitment please contact HR officer Mette Christensen, E-mail [email protected]  please refer to ID number 211-0908/21-2H

Application deadline

Applicants must submit the application electronically no later than October 18, 2021 at 23.59 (CET).  

Applicants can amend their application after submission up until the application deadline.

Part of the International Alliance of Research Universities (IARU), and among Europe’s top-ranking universities, the University of Copenhagen promotes research and teaching of the highest international standard. Rich in tradition and modern in outlook, the University gives students and staff the opportunity to cultivate their talent in an ambitious and informal environment. An effective organisation – with good working conditions and a collaborative work culture – creates the ideal framework for a successful academic career.