You will work as part of a team on the NWO-funded VICI project Redefining the Region: The Transnational Dimensions of Local Colour. This project aims to examine the unexplored transnational dimensions of local colour by studying media representations of regions and local colour fiction from the long 19th century in European and transatlantic frameworks. These materials provide unique case studies for transnational approaches: images and texts about European regions reached transnational audiences through emerging periodical cultures, dissemination of local colour fiction across Europe, and transcultural networks with North American diasporic communities.

Subproject 5: ‘Travelling’ European Regions in the Transatlantic World, 1845-1914. Your postdoctoral research, which is to result in four scientific publications (one monograph, three articles), examines Irish- and German-North American publishers and periodicals. The nineteenth century and early twentieth century were marked by massive emigration from Ireland and Germany to the USA and Canada. As a result, transnational infrastructures (Adam 2005; Carkner 2002; Cusack 2015; McMahon 2015) came into being.

You will
1. examine the circulation of newspaper reports, illustrations about regions and local colour fiction in a selected number of the most prominent German- and Irish-North American periodicals. Which material was reprinted and where?
2. additionally, investigate the ways in which Irish and German regions were conceptualised in material written originally in the USA and Canada, published by the most productive Irish- and German-North American publishing houses and most widely read periodicals.

Furthermore, you will contribute research results to the project’s database. You will participate in the project’s programme of meetings (e.g. expert meetings, conferences), as a speaker (3) and organiser (2), and you are also expected to contribute to collaborative research output (articles, public events).

• A (soon to be) completed PhD degree in literary studies or cultural studies (at least a manuscript approved by the board of examiners).
• Demonstrable expertise about Europe and/or the USA and Canada in the long nineteenth century; preferably with knowledge about (Irish and/or German) diaspora cultures, periodical cultures or the literary field.
• Excellent command of spoken and written English, and good reading knowledge of German.
• An excellent track record of research achievements and publications.
• A demonstrable affinity with knowledge utilisation.
• The ability to work collaboratively in an international research team, as evidenced by previous work experiences.
• The proven capacity to work with deadlines.
• Experience with working in a Digital Humanities environment, and DH literacy will be considered a plus.

Fixed-term contract: You will be appointed for an initial period of 12 months, after which your performance will be evaluated. If the evaluation is positive, the contract will be extended by 2 years.

• Employment: 32 hours per week.
• A maximum gross monthly salary of € 4,274 based on a 38-hour working week (salary scale 10).
• The exact salary depends on the candidate's qualifications and amount of relevant professional experience.
• In addition to the salary: an 8% holiday allowance and an 8.3% end-of-year bonus.
• Duration of the contract: You will be appointed for an initial period of 12 months, after which your performance will be evaluated. If the evaluation is positive, the contract will be extended by 2 years.
• The intended start dat is between 1 February and 1 August 2020 (negotiable date).
• You will be able to make use of our Dual Career Service: our Dual Career Officer will assist with family-related support, such as child care, and help your partner prepare for the local labour market and with finding an occupation.
• Are you interested in our excellent employment conditions?

Radboud University

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Faculteit der Letteren

The Faculty of Arts employs over 500 staff members who teach, conduct research, or support educational and research endeavors in the fields of history and art, languages and cultures, linguistics and information, and communications technology (ICT). Research is embedded in one of the two faculty research institutes: the Centre for Language Studies (CLS) or Historical, Literary and Cultural Studies (HLCS). The faculty provides education for circa 2,400 students, spread over three departments: the department of history, art history and classics, that of modern languages and cultures, and the department of language and communication.