Call for Joint Applications for Marie Skłodowska-Curie Fellowship Positions at the History of Capitalism Research Group, University of Oslo

The History of Capitalism research group at the Department of Archaeology, Conservation and History, University of Oslo, is seeking excellent and highly motivated researchers to submit joint applications for the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Postdoctoral Fellowships action. If successful, the project will lead to a two-year postdoctoral position at the University of Oslo as a Marie Skłodowska-Curie fellow. The MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowship supports projects that convincingly show how the applicant’s career will develop by moving to another research group and how the host environment will likewise benefit from the applicant’s knowledge and skills.

About the History of Capitalism Research Group: Accepted fellows will join the History of Capitalism research group at the Department of Archaeology, Conservation and History. Our group employs interdisciplinary approaches from cultural history, book history, global history, and social and economic history to explore the history of capitalism. Our discussions frequently center on the circulation of knowledge across different geographical and temporal contexts, and digital humanities are integral to several of our projects.

We organize regular meetings, invite researchers to present their work, and serve as a hub for projects related to our central research themes. Our research group hosts several projects exploring various aspects of the history of capitalism, including intellectual property rights, knowledge dissemination, educational reforms, and the management of mineral wealth. Some of these projects are:

Creative IPR examines the history of intellectual property rights (IPRs) in the creative industries from the late 19th century to today, focusing on Europe in a global context. It explores how patents, copyrights, trademarks, and trade secrets have shaped creative industries and how technological innovation has influenced legal protection strategies.

Before Copyright (BE4COPY) studies the development of printing privileges and copyright in early modern Europe (c. 1500-1850). The ERC-funded project examines how legal frameworks shaped the dissemination of knowledge and how concepts of property were linked to changing political landscapes.

Persistence or Change? analyzes the long-term effects of the Scandinavian unity school model on social and economic equality. By building a Scandinavian Education Database with individual-level data, the project examines generational mobility and the impact of historical educational reforms.

MININGRIGHT investigates how past societies managed and contested mineral wealth, shaping economic booms, technological revolutions, and resource conflicts. By tracing historical patterns of extraction, governance, and environmental impact, the research informs contemporary debates on sustainable resource management.

 Applicants with interests aligned with these research areas are especially encouraged to apply.

Eligibility for a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Postdoctoral Fellowship: Candidates can be of any nationality but must hold a PhD degree (awarded within the past eight years) and must not have worked or lived in Norway for the previous 36 months at the time of application.

Required working language: English.

Successful candidates will have a strong international research profile, an excellent publication record, and demonstrated potential for scientific excellence. Our research group offers an ambitious and stimulating academic environment, and we expect successful applicants to actively contribute to our intellectual community.

 If you are interested in pursuing this opportunity, please contact us to discuss your project idea. Moreover, the following must be submitted by 19 March 2025:

 1. The applicant’s CV

 2. Project title and a one-page outline of the project idea

Expressions of interest must be submitted to:

 • Kristin Ranestad: kristin.ranestad@iakh.uio.no

 • Véronique Pouillard: v.i.c.pouillard@iakh.uio.no

 • Marius Buning: marius.buning@iakh.uio.no

Read more about the History of Capitalism group at the Department of Archaeology, Conservation and History at https://www.hf.uio.no/iakh/english/research/groups/history-of-capitalism/

Read more about Marie Skłodowska-Curie Postdoctoral Fellowship at https://ec.europa.eu/research/mariecurieactions/actions/individual-fellowships_en