The research group SHOC (Social History of Capitalism) of the Vrije Universiteit Brussel is looking for a postdoctoral researcher. SHOC is a young, vibrant research group that aims to study the social history of capitalism from a global and bottom-up perspective. The group is home to several large research projects, spanning from migration in medieval Europe over foraging practices in colonial Central Africa to the dynamics of wealth inequality in the 19th century. 

As a postdoctoral researcher, you will engage with the following tasks: 

• You will conduct high-quality research in the field of the social history of capitalism, understood as the interaction with and negotiation of capitalist expansion from a bottom-up perspective. Specific research topics can include, but are not limited to, the study of political economy, welfare systems, social relations, migration, colonisation, economic/social inequality and ecological entanglements in any part of the world from the late Middle Ages to the twentieth century.
• You will publish your research in international peer-reviewed journals and will present your work at international conferences.
• You will apply for external postdoctoral funding and will contribute to funding applications by the research group.
• You will contribute to the organisation of the research group and will participate in its activities (meetings, research seminars).
• You are encouraged to assist in the supervision of master students working on the social history of capitalism.

Requirements

• Doctoral degree or equivalent in History or related disciplines with historical expertise
• Research experience in fields related to the social history of capitalism, i.e. the ways in which people engaged with the expansion of capitalism as a process that boosted material production but also generated structural inequalities.
• Publication history or a demonstrated ability to publish in international peer-reviewed journals and a track-record of presentations at international conferences.
• Expertise on any historical period or across periods from the twelfth to the end of the twentieth centuries.
• Experience with global historical perspectives, taking into account interactions between continents, is particularly welcomed.
• You are a team player and have good social skills.

Languages

English/Dutch

Benefits

• You’ll be offered a contract for a full time appointment for 24 months (pending positive evaluation after twelve months), with planned starting date between 1 October and 31 December 2024.
• You’ll receive a yearly salary of €63,500 to €69,000 before taxes and social security contributions.
• At VUB, you’re guaranteed an open and diverse workplace with opportunities to develop your career. You will also enjoy various other benefits:
  • Extensive homeworking options, a telework allowance of 50 euros or an internet fee of 20 euros per month;
  • An informal working environment with attention to work-life balance and exceptional holiday arrangements with 35 days of leave (fulltime contract), closure between Christmas and New Year and 3 extra leave days;
  • Cost-free hospitalisation insurance;
  • Full reimbursement of your home-to-work commute with public transport and/or bicycle allowance;
  • A wide selection of meals in our campus restaurants at attractive prices;
  • Excellent sport facilities, discounts via Benefits@Work and Ecocheques;
  • Nursery near campus, discount on holiday camps 

For additional job details, including the required documents, please visit https://shoc.research.vub.be/ or contact SHOC director Bart Lambert at bart.lambert@vub.be