Two PhD Positions in Public History

The University of Luxembourg aspires to be one of Europe’s most highly regarded universities with a distinctly international and interdisciplinary character. It fosters the cross-fertilisation of research and teaching, is relevant to its country, is known worldwide for its research and teaching in targeted areas, and is establishing itself as an innovative model for contemporary European Higher Education. It`s core asset is its well-connected world-class academic staff which will attract the most motivated, talented and creative students and young researchers who will learn to enjoy taking up challenges and develop into visionary thinkers able to shape society.

The Luxembourg Centre for Contemporary and Digital History (C2DH) is a research centre for the study, analysis and public dissemination of contemporary history of Luxembourg and Europe with a particular focus on digital methods and tools for doing innovative historical research. It serves as a catalyst for innovative and creative scholarship and new forms of public dissemination and societal engagement with history.

Your Role

The PhD students will join the Public History as the New Citizen Science of the Past (PHACS) project hosted at the Luxembourg Centre for Contemporary and Digital History (C²DH) and will work under the direct supervision of Prof. Dr Thomas Cauvin. Focusing on the production of history with a public perspective, public history has developed as one of the most dynamic international fields of the historical discipline. In collaboration with cultural institutions and universities all over Europe, PHACS studies, researches, but also develops, constructs and evaluates the impact of public participation, coproduction, and shared authority for history-making. Connecting digital participatory practices issued from citizen sciences and crowdsourcing to history-making, PHACS is contributing to reshaping public history methodology. PhD research and projects may for instance focus on (but are not limited to) participatory exhibitions in museums, crowdsourcing cultural heritage, digital public history collections, community-based activities, or historical performances. Research and projects can be done in partnership with local or national partnering cultural institutions.

Research and write a history thesis in the domain of contemporary history
Participate in the development and evaluation of participatory practices in public history
Contribute to the development of public history training in Europe

For further information, please contact: phacs@uni.lu

Your Profile

Master’s degree or diploma (Master equivalent) in history or related field
Experience in/with cultural institutions (especially but not only museums and archives) is an asset
Knowledge in digital history and/or public participation is an asset
Excellent command of English and good working knowledge of another language (French, German, Luxembourgish, Italian preferred)

We offer

A creative and innovative working environment within the Luxembourg Centre for Contemporary and Digital History (C²DH) with great opportunities for training in new digital and public methodologies
An attractive salary; work contract subject to public national security system benefits
A multilingual, international, and interdisciplinary working environment

In Short

Contract Type: Fixed-term contract 36 months (renewable for up to 48 months; depending on thesis progress evaluation)
Number of positions: 2
Work Hours: Full Time 40.0 Hours per Week
Location: Belval
Employee and student status
Foreseen starting date: 1st of May 2021
Job Reference: UOL03749

Further Information

Candidates should submit the following documents by 31/12/2020:

• Cover letter (including details about research and/or work experience with participatory practices)
• Curriculum vitae
• List of publications and projects (if available)
• Brief history writing sample (maximum 25 pages) or public history project’s written description (including information about your role, your partnerships and the tasks performed, (maximum 5 pages)) (if applicable)
• Copies of diplomas

Please apply ONLINE formally through the HR system. Applications by email will not be considered.

The University of Luxembourg embraces inclusion and diversity as key values. We are fully committed to removing any discriminatory barrier related to gender, and not only, in recruitment and career progression of our staff.