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 2: Local Colour Fiction in Flanders and the Netherlands, 1851-1914: Transnational Perspectives.

Your PhD research, which is to result in a dissertation, concerns the transnational dimensions of Dutch and Flemish local colour fiction from the period 1851-1914. While manifestations of the genre have often been identified with the quest for national identity since 1830, this project assesses the transnational dimensions of local colour writings by the most widely read Flemish (e.g. Conscience, Streuvels) and Dutch writers (e.g. Seipgens, Gijsen), with regard to:
1. representations of foreigners, travellers, migrants;
2. transnational circulation and reception.

Through the comparative perspective, this subproject also aims to shed light on similarities as well as distinctions between the ways in which the genre developed in both countries.

Furthermore, you will contribute research results to the project’s database. You are also expected to participate as a speaker in the project’s programme of meetings (e.g. expert meetings, conferences).

• A completed research MA or equivalent in literary studies, cultural history or cultural studies.
• Demonstrable expertise about Europe in the long nineteenth century; preferably with knowledge about periodical cultures and/or regionalism.
• Excellent command of spoken and written English; good reading knowledge of at least two other European languages (preferably including either German or French).
• Demonstrable strong affinity with scientific research.
• The ability to work collaboratively in an international research team, as proven by previous team work.
• The demonstrable 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 18 months, after which your performance will be evaluated. If the evaluation is positive, the contract will be extended by 2.5 years.

• Employment: 40 hours per week.
• The gross starting salary amounts to €2,325 per month, and will increase to €2,972 in the fourth year (P scale).
• 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 18 months, after which your performance will be evaluated. If the evaluation is positive, the contract will be extended by 2.5 years.
• The intended start date is 1 February 2020.
• 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?

Aan de Radboud Universiteit werken docenten en onderzoekers uit meer dan 50 landen op 7 faculteiten, in alle wetenschapsdisciplines. Dit doen we op een groene, moderne campus met state-of-the-art voorzieningen. De Radboud Universiteit kent een open en persoonlijke sfeer. Dit stimuleert kennisdeling tussen collega's, voorbij de grenzen van vakgebieden en onderzoeksinstituten. We geloven dat een brede blik leidt tot nieuwe inzichten en oplossingen, in de wetenschap én de samenleving.

Faculteit der Letteren

The Faculty of Arts employs over 500 academic and support staff 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 the Institute for Historical, Literary and Cultural Studies (HLCS). The faculty currently enrols some 2,400 students in three departments: the department of History, Art History and Classics, the department of Modern Languages and Cultures, and the department of Language and Communication.