The University of Luxembourg is an international research university with a distinct multilingual and interdisciplinary character. The University was founded in 2003 and now has over 6,700 students and 2,000 employees from all over the world. The University’s faculties and interdisciplinary centers conduct research in computer science and ICT, materials science, European and international law, finance and financial innovation, education, and contemporary and digital history.
Furthermore, the University focuses on cross-disciplinary research in data modeling and simulation, as well as health and system biomedicine. The University of Luxembourg is ranked #3 in the world by Times Higher Education for its “international outlook,” #20 in the Young University Ranking 2021, and among the top 250 universities worldwide.
The Institute for History (IHIST) brings together researchers from the fields of history, archaeology, cultural anthropology and sociology. Research at IHIST ranges from Antiquity to today, and by eschewing periodization, the continuities and changes over the long term are emphasized.
The historical areas forming today’s Luxembourg and Greater Region, the crossroads of Europe, constitute a stimulating case study for historical investigation of Borders and Identity, Power and Legitimation, History and Space, Materiality and Culture.
The successful candidate will become a member of the Doctoral Training Unit “Deep Data Science of Digital History” (D4H). This interdisciplinary DTU focuses on multiple challenges at the intersection between the disciplines of history and data science. The DTU will train a new generation of digitally literate PhD students to deal with “big data of the past” in a critical and competent way, combining the epistemic tradition of close reading with machine-based methods of distant reading (“scalable reading”).
It aims to develop a shared understanding of the human/machine nexus in collecting, curating, managing, analysing, interpreting, and visualizing historical data and to problematize the multi-layered temporalities of datasets and experiment with new forms and formats of historical models and simulations in a longue-durée / deep time perspective.
Your Role
This position is open for a student willing to write a PhD thesis in the field of digital history (focus on medieval and/or early modern history) or digital historical cartography.
Suggested topics of research may include but are not limited to:
- Spatial development in historical perspective
- History of the first cartographic surveys of the Austrian Netherlands (18th century)
- Urban history
- Historic towns atlases
- Spatial analysis of historical landscape changes in the longue durée
- History of environment, land use, industrialization and settlement
The main tasks will be to:
- write a PhD thesis in the field of digital history (focus on medieval and/or early modern history) or digital historical cartography.
- participate in the FHSE Doctoral School
- participate at DTU skills training activities, notably on digital history, and research workshops
- present papers at academic conferences
- participate at public history and outreach activities of the C2DH and the IHIST
D4H involves the University of Luxembourg’s Centre for Contemporary and Digital History (C²DH), the Faculty of Science, Technology and Medicine (FSTM), the Institute of History (IHIST) of the Faculty of Humanities, Education and Social Sciences (FHSE), the Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology (LIST) and the Institute of Socio-Economic Research (LISER). The DTU will include a total of 18 PhD positions. For a detailed description of the conceptual framework, the training program see: https://dhh.uni.lu/news/
The PhD student will be a member of the IHist/ University of Luxembourg and be enrolled in the Doctoral School of Humanities and Social Sciences (DHSS). All applicants should carefully read the extended research proposal of the DTU which is made available at https://dhh.uni.lu/d4h and submit an idea for a PhD project that fits into the conceptual framework of the DTU (one of the three research pillars).
What we expect from you…
- Master’s degree or diploma in history, geography, digital humanities
- Good digital literacy
- Excellent command in at least two of the following languages: German, English, French. A good command of all three languages is definitely an asset
We offer…
- Personal work space
- Dynamic and multicultural research environment
In Short…
- Contract Type: Fixed Term Contract 36 Month (extendable up to 48 months if required)
- Work Hours: Full Time 40.0 Hours per Week
- Ideal starting date: January 2023
- Location: Belval
- Employee and student status
- Job Reference: UOL05120
The yearly gross salary for every PhD at the UL is EUR 38.028,96 (full time)
How to apply…
Applications should be submitted online and include:
- Motivation letter (max. two pages)
- Curriculum vitae
- Sketch of PhD project
- List of publications (if available)
- Copies of diplomas
We ensure a full consideration for applications received by 15.08.2022. Please apply formally through the HR system. Applications by email will not be considered.
The University of Luxembourg embraces inclusion and diversity as key values. We are fully committed to removing any discriminatory barrier related to gender, and not only, in recruitment and career progression of our staff.
Here’s what awaits you at the University
- Multilingual and international character. Modern institution with a personal atmosphere. Staff coming from 90 countries. Member of the “University of the Greater Region” (UniGR).
- A modern and dynamic university. High-quality equipment. Close ties to the business world and to the Luxembourg labour market. A unique urban site with excellent infrastructure.
- A partner for society and industry. Cooperation with European institutions, innovative companies, the Financial Centre and with numerous non-academic partners such as ministries, local governments, associations, NGOs …
- Find out more about the University
- Addresses, maps & routes to the various sites of the University
Further information…
For more information about the IHIST, please visit https://history.uni.lu
For a detailed description of the conceptual framework, the training program see: https://dhh.uni.lu/news/
The research proposal of the DTU which is made available at https://dhh.uni.lu/d4h
For further information, please contact Prof. Dr. Martin Uhrmacher: https://history.uni.lu/team-martin-uhrmacher/ email: martin.uhrmacher@uni.lu
