Applications are invited for a 3-year postdoc position (0.8 fte) within the framework of the HERA JRP research project PUblic REnaissance: Urban Cultures of Public Space between Early Modern Europe and the Present (PURE; part of the HERA JRP “Public Spaces: Culture and Integration in Europe”). The central concept of the project is that of a “Public Renaissance”, by which the research team intends to examine both the urban cultures of public space in the early modern era, and to set this into dynamic dialogue with the recently invigorated discourse around the agency of public space in shaping contemporary events. By proposing a cross-chronological enquiry that sets the relatively remote formative period of many European cities into dialogue with the contemporary world, the project explores and reveals how the past is inscribed in the material culture of the public spaces we still inhabit, and how these contribute to shaping actions and events in the present. The project considers the early modern period (c. 1450-1700) in the urbanized heart of Europe, with particular attention to case examples between the Netherlands (in particular Deventer, but also Leiden and Amsterdam), Germany (Hamburg), Spain (Valencia, Madrid), Italy (Trento, Venice, Bologna, Florence) and England (Exeter and Bristol). Working with an interdisciplinary team of architectural, social and cultural historians, in collaboration with non-academic partners from the museum/heritage sector, and shaping the research agendas in dialogue with contemporary planners, architects and policy-makers, the research team will probe the continuities and ruptures that shape urban spaces of the past in relation to contemporary urban interaction. In addition to primary archival research methods, they will work with locative media technologists to create smartphone apps that enable an engagement with histories of place, to propose an innovative place-based research methodology. While historical enquiry is at the heart of the project, through digital tools and interaction with regional city museums, they will communicate the memories and meanings of public space in European cities.

The research project includes 5 partner institutions (Universities of Groningen, University of Exeter, FBK Trento, Valencia, and Erlangen-Nürnberg), involving partnerships with museums in five cities (Deventer in the case of the Netherlands) and a digital component.

• PhD degree (at the time of appointment) in (medieval or early modern) history, archeology or spatial sciences
• excellent research record in the field
• affinity with spatial approaches in the humanities
• good working knowledge of Middle and Early Modern Dutch
• good working knowledge of modern languages (German, English and French)
• ability to read late medieval and early modern handwriting (paleography)
• interest in digital humanities and public history
• proactive attitude
• the candidate enjoys working in a closely collaborating European research team

Fixed-term contract: 12 maanden.

The University of Groningen offers a salary depending on qualifications and work experience starting from a minimum of € 3,255 to a maximum of € 3,637 gross per month (salary scale 10.4 – 10.7 Collective Labour Agreement Dutch Universities) for a full-time position. The position is funded for three years at 0.8 fte. The successful candidate will first be offered a temporary position of 12 months with the perspective of extension for another 24 months. The conditions of employment comply with the Collective Labour Agreement for the University of Groningen 2017-2019, available in English at: www.vsnu.nl.

Interviews are expected to take place in the course of April 2019.
The appointment will be effective from 1 June 2019 or as soon as possible after that date. The candidate will be based at the Department of History, under supervision of prof. dr. Sabrina Corbellini (PI).

Application procedure
You may apply for this position until before 1 April 2019 Dutch local time by means of the application form (click on ‘Apply’ below on the advertisement on the university website).
Your application should be in English and include:

• letter of motivation explaining why you are a suitable candidate for the postdoc position (max. 1 page)
• full curriculum vitae (including a list of publications)
• copies of academic degrees (MA and PhD), or a statement from your PhD supervisor that you will have completed the PhD requirements before the appointment date
• contact information of two academics, familiar with your work, who can be contacted directly if further information is needed.
Applications have to be submitted electronically in PDF format by means of the application form (please merge all documents into one PDF file).

Applications that are incomplete or otherwise faulty will not be taken into consideration.

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Faculty of Arts

Since its foundation in 1614, the University of Groningen has enjoyed an international reputation as a dynamic and innovative center of higher education offering high-quality teaching and research. The Faculty of Arts is a large, dynamic faculty in the heart of the city of Groningen. It has more than 5000 students and 700 staff members, who are working at the frontiers of knowledge every day. The Faculty offers a wide range of degree programmes: 15 Bachelor's programmes and over 35 Master's specializations. Our research, which is internationally widely acclaimed, covers the following fields: Archaeology, Cultural Studies, History, International Relations, Journalism, Language and Literary Studies, and Linguistics.