Postdoc fellowship in colonial history

Welcome to Linnaeus University! A place for knowledge, ideas and development. For growth potential and a belief in the future. In Småland and in the world.

Linnaeus University Centre: Concurrences in Colonial and Postcolonial Studies, established in 2012, is a leading interdisciplinary research environment at the Linnaeus University (LNU), Sweden. It hosts scholars in history, literature, sociology, film studies, and anthropology whose research enquires into present and past cultural and political encounters—‘simultaneities’—of claims to reality, experience and meaning, in the Nordic countries, Asia, Africa and the Americans. 

The postdoctoral position will be placed at the Department of Cultural sciences that hosts archaeology, library- and information studies, philosophy, geography, cultural geography, history, cultural sociology, and religious studies. 

Field of subject for the position: History
Placement: Växjö
Extent and period: Full-time for two years
Last day of application: 1 February 2017 

Context of position: 

The project ‘Huseby in the world’ (‘Huseby i världen’) engages with the unique collection of historical documents, the Joseph Stephens Archive, that encompass the material of a subcontractor in the railway constructions in 1860s western India. The recently discovered collection is unusually detailed and comprehensive, and opens a window to the life and work of the region, the workforce, the engineers, the railway company, and the social life of the unruly post-revolt years in colonial west India. Simultaneously, it places southern Scandinavia and the Småland County in a British imperial context which challenges current historiography of Swedish 19th century history. 

‘Huseby in the world’ is a collaboration between LNU and the Huseby Estate (Huseby Bruk AB), which is the iron mill and agrarian estate into which Joseph Stephens invested his earnings from India, today a cultural centre. In addition to historical research, disseminated in academic publications, the project aims at making academic historical research available in pedagogical programmes for the public at the Huseby Estate. 

The postdoc position is open to scholars with a PhD in history. The postdoc shall conduct research in the Joseph Stephens archives and other archives that are relevant to the specific topic. The specific research theme is the formation of practical and theoretical knowledge, the organisation of labour, and the social networks that facilitated the work of a railway contractor. 

The postdoc fellow will work in a team, including researchers and pedagogical staff at the Huseby Estate. The postdoc applicant is expected to contribute to the development of the Centre through research and publications, participate in seminars and other activities at the Centre, and collaborate with other scholars and graduate students within the Centre. 

Qualification requirements: 

Qualified for appointment is anyone who holds a PhD in history, or a degree that is the equivalent to a PhD, and who has completed their degree no more than three years before the application deadline. Applicants must not have previously been employed as a postdoctoral fellow for more than a year in the same or related subject area at the Linnaeus University. Documented skills of the ability of working in historical archives, and good knowledge of English are required for the position. 

The application has to be registered no later than February 3th, 2017. Mark your application with reference number 2016/184-2.2.1 .

Read more about the assessment criteria and contacts for the employment at https://lnu.se/en/meet-linnaeus-university/work-at-the-university/


Linnaeus University has the ambition to utilize the qualities that an even gender distribution and diversity brings to the organization.

Please apply by clicking on the "Apply" button at the bottom of the ad. Your application should be designed according to the Template for application which can be found in the Guide to Appointment procedures under important documents below the ad. The credentials you invoke must be verified with certification and they must be attached digitally in your application. Other documents, including various types of scientific works, must be submitted digitally along with the application. The application and other documents to be marked with the reference number. All documents cited must be received by the University no later than 24.00 on the closing day.