The Project
SUSPICIO stems from the hypothesis that security became a key concept of governance in the late Spanish Empire (ca. 1766–1820). The perception of threat and the Spanish government’s distrust of their own population in America gave rise to extensive security regulations and measures in order to identify and judge those individuals who were perceived to be a threat to the order, i.e., who were categorized as “suspects.” The project analyzes the extent to which the treatment of “suspects” brought about a fundamental shift in the colonial legal system, and thus in colonial rule. Chronologically, the project covers the period from around 1770 to 1820, and refers to the entire Spanish America. The project group will comprise the PI (principal investigator), two postdocs and two doctoral students. The project is located in the Department of Modern History and History of America at the University of Granada in Spain.
Mission and Activities
Your part in the project will be to study one or more of the following regions: Nueva Granada (Colombia), Venezuela, Perú, Alto Perú (Bolivia) o Ecuador
- Archival research in Latin America and Spain
- Conduct your own research agenda and collaborate with other project members in relation to the overall project aims
- Administrative and organizational tasks of the project (including workshops)
- Collaboration in the establishment of a database
- Publish your research results in the form of a monograph (“second book”) and journal articles, and disseminate these at international conferences
Your Profile
- A high-standard doctorate in history or a related field
- Research experience in Spanish or Latin American history and/or in the field of security history is desirable
- Experience in archive research
- Very good command of both written and spoken Spanish and English
- International research profile
- Openness to digital history methods
- Readiness to take up residence in Granada
Your Benefits
You will participate in the set-up of an international research group at the Department of Modern History and History of America at the University of Granada and actively shape SUSPICIO’s research activities. You will also have the opportunity to pursue your own research agenda within the project and to conduct archival research in Spain and Latin America. The research environment at the University of Granada, the organization of workshops and participation in conferences will enable you to connect your research internationally. Funds are available for archive trips and conference participation. There is no teaching obligation associated with the position.
Application
Your application should include:
- Cover letter
- CV (2 pages)
- Publication list
- Outline of a research project related to SUSPICIO (2-3 pages)
- Copies of certificates
Applications should be submitted between February 14 and February 27, 2025, via the University of Granada’s applicant portal:
https://investigacion.ugr.es/recursos-humanos/personal/solicitud
Interviews for shortlisted candidates are expected to take place in March 2025.
Contact
Martin Biersack
Departamento de Historia moderna y de América
Facultad de Filosofía y Letras, s/n.
18071 Granada/ Spain
mbiersack@ugr.es