The Department of History of the University of Fribourg invites applications for a
PhD position (4 years, 60%) in early modern history.
The PhD thesis will be realized in the framework of the PRIMA project “Early Childhood and Dynastic Reproduction at Princely Courts, 1600–1800: European and Global Perspectives” directed by Nadine Amsler and financed by the Swiss National Science Foundation. The position will start on 1 January 2022 (negotiable).
The project focuses on the problem of dynastic continuity in early modern monarchical political systems and explores it by intersecting multiple perspectives such as gender, childhood, and global history. The advertised PhD project will be situated in the history of knowledge and explore representations of Eurasian ruling dynasties in European travel literature.
Your responsibilities:
You will define and conduct your own independent research project on the representation of ruling dynasties in European travel literature of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. Potential foci include but are not limited to the Ming and Qing courts in China, the Rurik and Romanov courts in Russia, and the Ottoman court. While writing your dissertation, you will be able to participate in international workshops and conferences with leading experts of the field.
Your profile:
You hold a master’s degree in History or a related field by the time you enter the position. You should be highly motivated to do historical research and have good reading skills in French, English, and at least one other European language. Familiarity with one of Eurasia’s major dynastic empires’ history and language is welcome. The PhD thesis may be written in English, German, or French. For the duration of the contract,residency in Switzerland is required.
What we offer:
We offer you the possibility to develop your own research project in collaboration and exchange with a highly motivated team situated in the stimulating research environment of University of Fribourg’s bi-lingual department of history. Furthermore, we provide you with opportunities for professional development (participation in conferences and publications, workshops with experts in the field). We offer a four-year employment contract with a salary paid according to the SNSF rates for doctoral students (approximately 47'000 CHF for the first year). Extra funding for research activities such as travel to conferences and stays in research libraries is available.
Your application should include:
- A letter of motivation: Please explain what makes you a suitable candidate for this position and why you are interested in it.
- Your MA thesis or a significant seminar paper, if possible with the examiners’ report.
- A full CV.
- Copies of your university transcripts and diplomas.
- The names and e-mail addresses of two possible referees whom the University of Fribourg may contact.
The letter of motivation and the CV may be written in German, French, or English, according to the candidate’s preference.
The University of Fribourg strives for a balanced representation of women and men. Applications by women are therefore explicitly welcome. As a signatory of the DORA Declaration, the University of Fribourg attaches importance to a qualitative assessment of academic performance.
Please send your application in one PDF file by e-mail to Nadine Amsler (nadine.amsler@unifr.ch) until 30 September 2021 at the latest.
