Vacature: PhD Candidate: Giants of the Modern World (Deadline 14 May)
PhD Candidate: Giants of the Modern World (0.8 – 1.0 FTE)
Faculty of Arts
Vacancy number: 23.07.17
Application deadline: 14 May 2017
Responsibilities
You will participate in the research project ‘Giants of the Modern World; A new history of heights and health in The Netherlands 1811-1940′ in which social and economic historians of Radboud University cooperate with health economists of the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam and an anthropometric historian of the University of Groningen. The project is funded by the Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO).
This interdisciplinary project examines the question of how the Dutch have become the tallest people in the world. The project looks at the stature of conscripted soldiers over a long period of time, and analyses how their height is related to inherited (genetic) factors, deduced from the height of fathers and brothers. Questions concerning early childhood conditions and other socioeconomic factors are also part of the research. The same goes for the consequences of (small) height on the life course (what is the relation with marriage chances, reproduction, work opportunities and mortality?) Finally, the project studies how geographic and social differentiation in height in the Netherlands has developed over time.
You will analyse large historical databases in which height of conscripted individuals is linked to their entire life course. Your project will focus on the question of how conditions in the parental family affect height. You will be expected to participate actively in the research team. You will write papers and will publish peer-reviewed articles that should eventually result in a dissertation. You will also give presentations at relevant scientific conferences and will preferably also contribute to teaching at the History Department.
Work environment
The Faculty of Arts has over 600 academic and support staff. The faculty has two research institutes: the Centre for Language Studies (CLS) and the Institute of Historical, Literary and Cultural Studies (HLCS). The faculty has ten departments and currently approximately 2400 students.
What we expect from you
– a Research Master’s degree in History (preferably with a socio-economic specialisation), Sociology (preferably Social Demography) or any other relevant MA degree;
– excellent knowledge of and experience with research statistics;
– a strong commitment to interdisciplinary research;
– preferably written and oral fluency in English;
– a problem- and result-focused approach to historical research;
– good social and communication skills, willingness and capability to work in a team.
What we have to offer
– employment: 0.8 – 1.0 FTE;
– in addition to the salary: an 8% holiday allowance and an 8.3% end-of-year bonus;
– the gross starting salary amounts to €2,191 per month based on full-time employment, and will increase to €2,801 per month in the fourth year;
– your performance will be evaluated after 18 months. If the evaluation is positive, the contract will be extended by 2.5 years;
– you will be classified as a PhD Candidate (promovendus) in the Dutch university job-ranking system (UFO).
Are you interested in our excellent employment conditions?
Other Information
The starting date is 1 September 2017.
Would you like to know more?
Further information on: Faculty of Arts
Further information on: Giants of the modern world. A new history of heights and health in The Netherlands, 1811-1940
For more information about this vacancy, please contact:
Prof. dr. Jan Kok
Telephone: +31 24 3612778
E-mail: j.kok@let.ru.nl
Are you interested?
You should upload your application (attn. of Mr drs. L.J.P.M. van Mosseveld) exclusively using the button ‘Apply’ on the website. Your application should include (and be limited to) the following attachment(s):
– Motivation letter that reflects on this project
– Curriculum vitae including names and contact information of at least three referees
– A transcript of grades achieved in the Research Master’s programme
– Copy of your Research Master’s thesis
– Proof of English language proficiency for (at least two pages from one of your academic texts in English)
Interviews will take place on 30 May 2017.
