Postdoctoral researcher in History or Literary Studies on ERC project 'AFROPRESS'

Organisation/Company

Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB)

Research Field

Cultural studies » Other
History » Other
Literature » Other

Researcher Profile

Recognised Researcher (R2)

Country

Belgium

Application Deadline

28 Feb 2025 - 22:59 (UTC)

Type of Contract

Temporary

Job Status

Full-time

Hours Per Week

38

Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?

Not funded by a EU programme

Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?

No

1 - Working at the VUB

For more than 50 years, the Vrije Universiteit Brussel has stood for freedom, equality and solidarity, and this is very much alive on our campuses among students and staff alike. 

At the VUB, you will find a diverse collection of personalities: innovators pur sang, but above all people who are 100% their authentic selves. With some 4,000 employees, we are the largest Dutch-speaking employer, in the private sector, in Brussels; an international city with which we are only too happy to connect and where (around) our 4 campuses are located. 

Add to this our principle of free research - in which self-reflection, a critical attitude and an open, creative mind around scientific and social issues are central - and you have a university that is fundamentally groundbreaking and pioneering in education and research. In short: the VUB all over again. 

Moreover, the VUB is a member of EUTOPIA, an alliance of like-minded European universities, all ready to reinvent themselves.

2 - Position description

The Faculty of Languages and Humanities, Department Linguistics and Literary Studies, research group Centre for Literary and Intermedial Crossings, is looking for a postdoctoral researcher. 

More concretely your work package contains: 

• You will become part of a new ERC project, ‘AFROPRESS: Recovering Global Exchanges from Sub-Saharan Africa’s Cultural and Political Magazines in the Age of Black Internationalism, 1918-68’ (https://researchportal.vub.be/en/projects/recovering-global-exchanges-from-sub-saharan-africas-cultural-and ).
• You will conduct individual research on cultural, political or student magazines in Uganda, especially in the period 1945-68 and with particular attention to transnational exchanges. This will require travel to Uganda and elsewhere to gather archival and empirical data. 
• You will contribute to the delivery of the ERC project’s output, including conference papers, journal articles and the coordination of a special issue. 
• You will collaborate with other team members, e.g. on the organisation of workshops, conferences and other related academic events. 
• You will assist the Principal Investigator (PI), e.g. in administrative and teaching matters.

For this function, our Brussels Humanities, Sciences & Engineering Campus (Elsene) will serve as your home base. 

3 - Profile

What do we expect from you?

• You hold a doctoral degree in History, Literary Studies or African Studies. 
• You have excellent proficiency in English, written and spoken.
• You have experience with empirical methods, especially interviews (demonstrate aptitude or willingness to acquire these skills may also be considered). 
• You have the ability to work collaboratively as a team. 
• Desirable criteria, but not required: 
  • You have experience with archival methods.
  • You are familiar with Uganda’s languages other than English. 

The VUB wants to be a reflection of the society where everyone's talent is valued, regardless of gender, age, religion, skin color, migration background, disability and neurodiversity.

4 - Offer

Are you going to be our new colleague?

You’ll be offered a contract, for an assignment of 1 FTE, for 12 months (extendable up to 36 months, on condition of the positive evaluation of the research activities), with planned starting date 01/05/2025. 

You’ll receive a salary linked to one of the scales set by the government.

At the VUB, you’re guaranteed an open, involved and diverse workplace where you are offered opportunities to (further) build on your career.

As well as this, you will also enjoy various other benefits:

• Extensive homeworking options, a telework allowance of 50 euros per month OR an internet fee of 20 euros per month;
• An open and informal working environment where attention is paid to work-life balance, and exceptional holiday arrangements with 35 days of leave (based on a 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 according to VUB-policy, and/or compensation if you come by bike; 
• A wide selection of meals in our campus restaurants at attractive prices;
• Excellent and affordable facilities for sport and exercise, a range of discounts via Benefits@Work (in  all kinds of shops, on flights, in petrol stations, amusement parks...) and Ecocheques; 
• Nursery near campus, discount on holiday camps; 
• The space to form your job content and to continuously learn through our VUB learning platforms and training courses;
• And finally: great colleagues with a healthy drive.

5 - Interested?

Is this the job you’ve been dreaming of?

Then apply, at the latest on 28/02/2025, via jobs.vub.be , and upload the following documents:

• your CV;
• your motivation letter;
• your diploma (not applicable for VUB alumni).

Beside these documents there’s also one letter of recommendation necessary, which needs to be sent by the recommender directly to ‘cedric.van.dijck@vub.be ’. 

Do you have questions about the job content? Contact Cedric Van Dijck at cedric.van.dijck@vub.be  or on +32472787809.

Would you like to know what it’s like to work at the VUB? Go to jobs.vub.be , and find all there is to know about our campuses, benefits, strategic goals and your future colleagues.

Would you like more information about EUTOPIA? Go to eutopia-university.eu , and read more about the role of the VUB in the development of the EUTOPIA alliance.

Website

https://academicpositions.com/ad/vrije-universiteit-brussel/2025/postdoctoral-r…

Research Field

Cultural studies

Years of Research Experience

4 - 10

Research Field

History

Years of Research Experience

4 - 10

Research Field

Literature

Years of Research Experience

4 - 10

Website for additional job details

https://academicpositions.com

Number of offers available

1

Company/Institute

Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB)

Country

Belgium

City

Brussels

Postal Code

1050

Street

Boulevard de la Plaine 2

Geofield

City

Brussels

Website

http://www.vub.ac.be/

Postal Code

1050

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