PhD Candidate in Contemporary History

The University | About us...

The University of Luxembourg is an international research university with a distinctly multilingual and interdisciplinary character. The University was founded in 2003 and counts more than 6,700 students and more than 2,000 employees from around the world. The University's faculties and interdisciplinary centres focus on research in the areas of Computer Science and ICT Security, Materials Science, European and International Law, Finance and Financial Innovation, Education, Contemporary and Digital History. In addition, the University focuses on cross-disciplinary research in the areas of Data Modelling and Simulation as well as Health and System Biomedicine. Times Higher Education ranks the University of Luxembourg #3 worldwide for its "international outlook," #20 in the Young University Ranking 2021 and among the top 250 universities worldwide.

The Centre for Contemporary and Digital History at the University of Luxembourg is seeking candidates for a doctoral position focused on the contemporary history of mobility in Luxembourg. In the late 19th century, the Minett region saw the emergence of a single working environment that spanned national borders without natural barriers. Within a few decades, this industrial space, dominated by the iron industry, established a dense network of steel and mining companies. Due to the high demand for industrial workers and the limited availability of local workers, who were predominantly employed in agriculture, industrial companies extended their recruitment efforts to include foreign workers. The City of Dudelange in southern Luxembourg transformed from a village into a bustling town in response to the rapid development of industrial production and the influx of foreign workers.

Over the past two years, more than 40,000 registration cards from the City of Dudelange have been digitised, and a workflow for digital analysis has been established. The goal of this PhD study is to leverage the scientific value of the city's registration cards, which document the residences and mobility of its inhabitants from the late 19th century to the late 20th century. Specific objectives include:

• Tracing the administrative logic of registration, the card index system, and administrative practices through (digital) source criticism
• Extracting data from the collection of registration cards via digital transcription (criticism)
• Reconstructing changing patterns of mobility within and beyond the city through geographical visualisations
• Contextualising the findings within past Luxembourgish and European migration policies

Your Role...

Conducting a PhD thesis on the history of mobility within and beyond the city of Dudelange.

Contributing to the creation of a multimedia digital repository of digitised and born-digital sources to serve as a digital archive for the production of transmedia storytelling formats for the wider public.

Supporting the research agenda of the Contemporary History of Luxembourg research area, including organising a study day focused on Contemporary History in the Greater Region.

Contributing to the research agenda of Professor Dr Machteld Venken.

For further information, please contact: Machteld Venken ()

For more information about C2DH, please visit: www.c2dh.uni.lu

What we expect from you…

• M.A. in Contemporary History, Migration History or Digital Humanities
• Participation in collaborative and interdisciplinary research projects
• Active knowledge of French, English and German. Notions of Luxemburgish constitute a real advantage

How to apply...

Applications should be submitted online and include:

• Curriculum Vitae
• Motivation letter
• List of publications

Early application is highly encouraged, as the applications will be processed upon reception. Please apply 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.

General information:

• Contract Type: Fixed Term Contract 36 Month (extendable up to 48 months if required)
• Work Hours: Full Time 40.0 Hours per Week
• Location: Belval
• Employee and student status
• Job Reference: UOL06474

The yearly gross salary for every PhD at the UL is EUR 40952 (full time)