Post Doc Energy economics, History of economic thought: Dutch and Flemish speaking corpuses

This post doctorate will consist in the analysis of energy issues and transitions in the history of Dutch and Flemish economic thought from the 19th and 20th centuries, following the research questions and framework of the ERC Starting-Grant project ETRANHET.

Activities
The post-doctoral fellow will use historical methods – including archival research and tools from the digital humanities (digitisation of materials, lexicographic analysis, etc.) – to explore the Dutch and Flemish speaking economic literature from the 19th and 20th centuries dealing with energy issues and transitions. The first stage of the research will consist in mapping this literature through an extensive literature review and a few expert consultations. Then, the second stage will consist in analysing the most relevant writings, controversies and episodes allowing for a good understanding of Dutch and Flemish speaking economists’ ideas, theories, concepts, models, and policy recommendations related to energy issues and transitions. Particular attention will be given to the reactions of Dutch economists to what would be known as the resource curse. More generally, research questions will include: What role did economists attribute to energy in economic growth and development? What role did they attribute to technology in energy transitions? What strategies did they use to draw scientific and public attention to energy issues when they were not otherwise a major preoccupation (e.g. during recessions, epidemics, or when energy was cheap and abundant)? The post-doctoral fellow will thus contribute to
picturing a worldwide panorama of energy transitions in the history of economic thought, in order to take a fresh look at today’s challenges with respect to the low-carbon transition. Interaction with other members of the ETRANHET team working on other corpuses (English-, French-, Spanish-, Portuguese-, German-, Italian-, Japanese-speaking corpuses) is expected. The post-doctoral fellow will also be required to participate in the collective tasks related to ETRANHET (e.g. communication, dissemination, organization of events, team-building, supervision of students) and in the different research activities taking place at CIRED (e.g. weekly seminars, general assemblies, workshops).

Skills
Degree: PhD in economics, history of economic thought, philosophy of economics, history of ideas, intellectual history, history of science, economic history, energy history, political science, STS or cultural studies, with a strong interest in economic and historical research, and energy and sustainability issues. Prior knowledge of the Dutch and Flemish (past and present) economic literature would be welcome. Languages: English required (working language), Dutch/Flemish required (at least B2-C1 in oral and written communication), knowledge of another language (mentioned above, e.g. French or German) would be a plus. Other skills: computer skills (usual software, qualitative database management, collaborative tools), autonomy (in particular for conducting on-site archival research), teamwork, ability to take initiatives, ability to work in an interdisciplinary and intercultural environment.

Work context
The position is funded by the ERC Starting-Grant project ETRANHET – ‘Energy Transitions in the History of Economic Thought (19th-20th c.)’ led by Dr. Antoine Missemer (PI) and hosted by CNRS (https://www.centre-cired.fr/etranhet/). ETRANHET will provide favourable material conditions for the proper conduct of the research (e.g. travel and documentation allowances). The recruited person will work at the CIRED laboratory located in Nogent-sur-Marne (Paris area, France). Remote working will be possible in moderate proportions. CIRED is a multidisciplinary unit (about 100-120 permanent and non-permanent members), with a core expertise in economics, gathering researchers and PhD students working on environmental and development issues. With members involved in the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), CIRED is recognized as a top-research unit in the field of environmental, climate, and energy economics. A few researchers in sociology, business organization, and history of economic thought, complement the unit’s larger teams more specialized in integrated assessment modelling (IAM), land-use, transportation economics, and ecological accounting. The Parisian university context is conductive to active participation in many national and international research networks.

Constraints and risks
Not applicable.

To apply:
All applications must go through the CNRS job portal at: https://emploi.cnrs.fr/Candidat/Login.aspx.
Reference: UMR8568-ANTMIS-003. Applications are open from 5 May 2022 to 15 June 2022.

Applicants are invited to create a ‘candidate account’ and give standard information. Among the required documents (to be uploaded on the platform), please provide: (1) a CV including your list of publications (if any), (2) a cover letter (max. 2 pages), (3) an electronic copy of your PhD dissertation, (4) up to two letters of recommendation from senior scholars (optional).

Interviews with a reduced panel of candidates will be held remotely (via Zoom) on Thursday 23 June 2022 and Friday 24 June 2022 (to be confirmed). Outcomes will be communicated by 1 July 2022.

For additional information, contact address: antoine.missemer[at]cnrs.fr

General information
Workplace: Nogent-sur-Marne (Paris area)
Type of contract: fixed-term contract scientist
Contract period: 12 months
Expected date of employment: 1 September 2022
Proportion of work: full time
Salary: from 2700€ to 3900€ monthly gross salary, depending on experience and CNRS rules
Desired level of education: PhD
Experience required: 0-4 years after PhD
Deadline for application: 15 June 2022