POSITION DESCRIPTION

The research group SHOC (Social History of Capitalism) within the Faculty of Languages and Humanities of the Vrije Universiteit Brussel, is looking for a postdoctoral researcher. SHOC is a young and vibrant research group that aims to study the social history of capitalism from a global and bottom-up perspective. The group is home to several large projects, spanning from migration in Medieval Europe, to foraging practices in colonial Central Africa, and the dynamics of wealth inequality in the 19th century.

We are looking for a postdoctoral researcher to engage with the following tasks:

- You will conduct high-quality research in the field of the social history of capitalism, understood here as the interaction with and negotiation of capitalist expansion from a bottom-up perspective. Specific research topics are open and can include, but are not limited to, the study of political economy, welfare systems, social relations, migration, colonisation, economic and social inequality and ecological entanglements in any part of the world from the late Middle Ages to the twentieth century.
- You will publish your research in international peer-reviewed journals and will present your work at international conferences.
- You will apply for external postdoctoral research funding and will contribute to external funding applications by the research group.
- You will contribute to the organisation of the SHOC (Social History of Capitalism) research group and will participate in its activities (meetings, research seminars).
- You are encouraged to assist in the supervision of master students working on the social history of capitalism.

For this function, our Brussels Humanities, Sciences & Engineering Campus (Elsene) will serve as your home base.

PROFILE

What do we expect from you?

- Doctoral degree or equivalent in History or related disciplines with historical expertise
- Research experience in fields related to the social history of capitalism, i.e. the ways in which people engaged with the expansion of capitalism as a social process that boosted material production but also generated structural inequalities.
- Publication history or a demonstrated ability to publish in international peer-reviewed journals and a track-record of presentations at international conferences.
- You have expertise on any historical period or across historical periods from the twelfth to the end of the twentieth century.
- Experience with global historical perspectives, taking into account interactions between multiple continents, is particularly welcomed.
- You are a team player and have good social skills.

The VUB wants to be a reflection of the society where everyone's talent is valued, regardless of gender, age, religion, skin color, migration background, disability and neurodiversity.

OFFER

Will you be our new colleague? You’ll be offered a contract for an assignment of 1 FTE (full time appointment), for 24 months (pending positive evaluation after twelve months), with planned starting date between 1 October and 31 December 2024.

You’ll receive a salary linked to one of the scales set by the Flemish government: €63,500 to €69,000 yearly salary, before taxes and social security contribution.

At the VUB, you’re guaranteed an open, involved and diverse workplace where you are offered opportunities to (further) build on your career. You will also enjoy various other benefits:

- Extensive homeworking options, a telework allowance of 50 euros per month OR an internet fee of 20 euros per month;
- An open and informal working environment where attention is paid to work-life balance, and exceptional holiday arrangements with 35 days of leave (based on a fulltime contract), closure between Christmas and New Year and 3 extra leave days;
- Cost-free hospitalisation insurance;
- Full reimbursement of your home-to-work commute with public transport according to VUB-policy, and/or compensation if you come by bike;
- A wide selection of meals in our campus restaurants at attractive prices;
- Excellent and affordable facilities for sport and exercise, a range of discounts via Benefits@Work (in all kinds of shops, on flights, in petrol stations, amusement parks...) and Ecocheques;
- Nursery near campus, discount on holiday camps;
- The space to form your job content and to continuously learn through our VUB learning platforms and training courses;
- And finally: great colleagues with a healthy drive.

INTERESTED?

Then apply by sending the following documents as one integrated PDF file to SHOC@vub.be before 7 June 2024:

- your CV;
- your motivation letter (max two pages);
- a letter of recommendation;
- a copy of your diploma;
- A two page research note, setting out your views on the social history of capitalism and your research plans for the next five years.
- Two pieces of written research. These can include published articles and book chapters or chapters of your PhD dissertation.

Do you have questions about the job content? Contact Bart Lambert at bart.lambert@vub.be.