PhD Position in Czech Studies / Czechoslovak History – University of Amsterdam

 

The University of Amsterdam and the Amsterdam School for Regional and Transnational and European Studies (ARTES) are pleased to announce a fully-funded 4-year PhD position in Czech Studies. The successful candidate will be part of a project “Soft” Antisemitism? Cartoons and the Decline of Democracy in Interwar Czechoslovakia (2023-2028), funded by the Dutch Research Council (NWO). The project is led by Dr Ewa Stańczyk. ARTES is one of the five Research Schools within the Amsterdam Institute for Humanities Research.

Project summary

Drawing on a variety of historical and visual sources, this PhD project investigates how and why Czechoslovak illustrators and magazines vilified Jews, and how this corresponded with top-down policy and bottom-up attitudes. The insights from this project will provide historical grounding for the topical discussions surrounding the revival of antisemitism in contemporary democratic societies as well as raising wider questions about the visual portrayals of other ethnic and religious groups in Europe’s multicultural states. The project seeks to explore three central questions:

• What visual tropes and discursive strategies were used by the artists and to what extent did they respond to global trends in representation?
• How did the multilevel interactions between individuals (e.g. illustrators), institutions (e.g. publishing houses, artist associations), and the state contribute to the spread of antisemitic imagery?
• What can antisemitic cartoons tell us about the state of democracy in interwar Czechoslovakia, more generally?

The project can be adapted to meet the individual interests of the PhD candidate.

As PhD candidate, you will:

• Conduct research in archives and libraries in the Czech Republic
• Author / co-author peer reviewed articles and chapters
• Present project findings at conferences
• Co-organize the project workshop
• Participate in PhD training and project meetings
• (Co)-teach courses at the BA-level in the 2nd and 3rd year of the appointment (max. 0,2 fte per year).
• Complete your PhD thesis within the required timeframe of 4 years

The successful candidate will have:

• a master’s degree in East European studies, history, art history, cultural studies, Jewish studies, or a related field by 1 October 2023;
• native or near-native command of Czech or Slovak;
• professional proficiency in English;
• an ability to work both independently and as a team member;
• a demonstrable interest in academic research and a strong drive to grow in the profession;

A working knowledge of German and/or Hungarian is not required but will be an asset.

What can we offer you?

We offer a temporary employment contract for the period of 48 months. The first contract will be for 16 months, with an extension for the following 32 months, contingent on a positive performance evaluation within the first 12 months. The employment contract is for 38 hours a week. The preferred starting date is 01 October 2023.

The gross monthly salary, based on 38 hours per week and relevant experience, ranges from € 2,541 up to a maximum of € 3,247. This sum does not include the 8% holiday allowance and the 8,3% year-end allowance. A favourable tax agreement, the ‘30% ruling’, may apply to non-Dutch applicants. The Collective Labour Agreement of Dutch Universities is applicable.

What else do we offer

• PhD candidates receive a tuition fee waiver;
• PhD candidates have free access to courses offered by the Graduate School of Humanities and the Dutch National Research Schools;
• excellent possibilities for further professional development and education;
• an enthusiastic, inspiring and professional academic team.

About us

The University of Amsterdam is the Netherlands’ largest university, offering the widest range of academic programmes. At the UvA, 42,000 students, 6,000 staff members and 3,000 PhD candidates study and work in a diverse range of fields, connected by a culture of curiosity.

The Faculty of Humanities provides education and conducts research with a strong international profile in a large number of disciplines in de field of language and culture. Located in the heart of Amsterdam, the faculty maintains close ties with many cultural institutes in the capital city. Research and teaching staff focus on interdisciplinary collaboration and are active in several teaching programmes.

Want to know more about our organisation? Read more about working at the University of Amsterdam.

Any questions?

Do you have any questions or require additional information? Please contact (during office hours):

• Dr Ewa Stańczyk, T: +31 (0)20 525 2280

Job application

If you feel the profile fits you, and you are interested in the position, we look forward to receiving your application. You can apply online via the link below. The deadline for applying for this vacancy is 01 September 2023.

To apply for this opportunity, please submit the following materials (submitted in one .pdf by uploading in the required field ‘CV’):

• A CV detailing your previous education and academic achievements.
• A covering letter.
• official transcripts for any previous degree-level study.
• Writing sample of approximately 5,000-8,000 words. The sample can be either an essay produced during masters-level studies or a section of a master’s dissertation, and must be a single-authored work.
• The names and contact details of two referees who are familiar with your work in the relevant field whom we can contact for a reference once the vacancy has closed.

Only complete applications received within the response period via the link below will be considered.

The interviews will be held in person in the week of 11-15 September 2023.

The UvA is an equal-opportunity employer. We prioritize diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for everyone. We value a spirit of enquiry and perseverance, provide the space to keep asking questions, and promote a culture of curiosity and creativity.