The Amsterdam School of Historical Studies (ASH) invites applications for two PhD positions at the Faculty of Humanities, tenable from 1 September 2022. ASH represents and fosters the study of the human past from Antiquity to the present day. It brings together more than 200 academics who participate in ca. 20 research groups.

ASH is one of the six Research Schools/Institutes within the Amsterdam Institute for Humanities Research. Each research school/institute covers an important research area within the faculty and has its own research programme, and is also the home base for PhD candidates, who interact with each other and with senior members in the research groups that make up the research school.

What are you going to do

You will execute your doctoral research on the basis of your own proposal, within a research area of the Amsterdam School of Historical Studies, under the supervision of at least two experienced researchers.

Tasks and responsibilities:

• submission of a PhD thesis within the period of appointment;
• presenting intermediate research results at workshops and conferences;
• participation in the Research School and Faculty of Humanities PhD training programmes;
• possible teaching deployment at BA-level in the 2nd and 3rd year of the appointment, for a maximum of 0,2 FTE per year.

What do we require

You are a talented researcher, are motivated to embark on a four-year project, are able to work independently while guided by your supervisors, and have the communication skills to present your research clearly in papers, talks, and the final dissertation.

Requirements:

• a completed Master's degree in a field relevant to the proposed PhD project and the research areas of ASH, e.g. Art History, Classics, History, (historical) Literary Studies, (the history of) Philosophy Religious Studies. You may apply if you have not yet completed your Master's degree, but only if you provide a signed letter from your supervisor stating that you will graduate before 1 September 2022;
• excellent research skills demonstrated by an outstanding Master's thesis and/or a track record of academic publications;
• excellent command of English.

Please note that if you already hold a doctorate/PhD or are working towards obtaining a similar degree elsewhere, you will not be admitted to a doctoral programme at the UvA.

Our offer

We offer a temporary employment contract for the period of 48 months. The first contract will be for 16 months, with an extension for the following 32 months, contingent on a positive performance evaluation within the first 12 months. The employment contract is for 38 hours a week. The preferred starting date is 1 September 2022.

The gross monthly salary, based on 38 hours per week and relevant experience, ranges from €2,443 up to a maximum of €3,122. This sum does not include the 8% holiday allowance and the 8,3% year-end allowance. A favourable tax agreement, the ‘30% ruling’, may apply to non-Dutch applicants. The Collective Labour Agreement of Dutch Universities is applicable.

What else do we offer

• PhD candidates receive a tuition fee waiver;
• PhD candidates have free access to courses offered by the faculty’s Graduate School of Humanities and the Dutch National Research Schools.

University of Amsterdam

The University of Amsterdam is the Netherlands' largest university, offering the widest range of academic programmes. At the UvA, 30,000 students, 6,000 staff members and 3,000 PhD candidates study and work in a diverse range of fields, connected by a culture of curiosity.

Faculty of Humanities

The Faculty of Humanities provides education and conducts research with a strong international profile in a large number of disciplines in de field of language and culture. Located in the heart of Amsterdam, the faculty maintains close ties with many cultural institutes in the capital city. Research and teaching staff focus on interdisciplinary collaboration and are active in several teaching programmes.

Want to know more about our organisation? Read more about working at the University of Amsterdam.