The Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies is recruiting a

PHD RESEARCH ASSISTANT

for the project ‘The Myth of Homogeneity: Minority Protection and Assimilation in Western Europe, 1919-1939’.

PERIOD OF CONTRACT: 1 SEPTEMBER 2017 – 31 AUGUST 2020

ACTIVITY RATE: 100 %

DEADLINE FOR RECEIPT OF APPLICATIONS: 15 JANUARY 2017

Description of the project
The ‘Myth of Homogeneity: Minority Protection and Assimilation in Western Europe, 1919- 1939’ is a research project funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation and managed by Professor Davide Rodogno and post-doctoral researcher Emmanuel Dalle Mulle that will be pursued at the Graduate Institute between September 2017 and August 2020. Its main objective is to acquire an in-depth picture of the history of the relationships between national
minorities and majorities in Western Europe during the interwar years through the analysis of patterns of minority protection and/or assimilation in three case-study countries: Belgium, Italy and Spain. The project will be based on a multi-layered and multi-archival inquiry. The selected applicant will work in a small and dynamic team, under the direct supervision of the project coordinator.

Responsibilities

- Carry out substantive research on at least one of the case studies foreseen in the project, including visits to relevant archives;

- Write a dissertation in International History at the Graduate Institute on a subject to be formulated by the applicant in accordance with Professor Davide Rodogno (ideally on a subject compatible with that explored by the project);

- Present intermediary and final results at international scientific conferences;

- Contribute to the further conceptualisation and operationalisation of the project, as well as to the identification of areas of possible improvement;

- Help to organise public events relating to the project;

- Provide general administrative and communication support, including possible web and/or social media initiatives;

- Publish at least one paper in an international peer-reviewed journal during the duration of the project (ideal, not a requirement).

The candidate’s profile includes the following elements

- MA in history, sociology or political sciences, familiarity with nationalism studies and minority issues a plus;

- Fluent written and spoken English; intermediate (or higher) proficiency in German; any of the following (French, Spanish, Dutch, Slovenian, Italian) a plus;

- Excellent analytical, research and communication skills;

- Ability to work in team as well as independently;

- Good organisational skills and flexibility, notably ability to manage sudden peaks of workload and multiple tasks, as well as to plan ahead and meet deadlines;

- Familiarity with content management systems and social media a plus.

Interested candidates should submit their application consisting of a motivation letter, CV and 3-page research proposal detailing the subject of their prospective PhD in English.

We look forward to receiving your online application:
https://erecruit.graduateinstitute.ch/recrutement/?page=advertisement_display&id=113=113

Please be aware that, in order to be selected, the candidate must be regularly registered as a PhD student in International History at the Graduate Institute by September 2017. You can find more information about the admission process at: http://graduateinstitute.ch/application