Postdoc position 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 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 PostDoc position is part of the FNR-funded project "Tracing the legacy of Edward Steichen: A glocal approach to the international reception and national heritagisation of the "Family of Man" exhibition" (FomLeg) which is realized in collaboration with the Centre National de l'Audiovisuel (CNA). This research project aims at problematizing the audience response to one of the most famous photographic exhibitions of the 20^th century using a glocal history approach. In combining global, national, and local processes of circulation, translation, and appropriation of photographs, the project aims at retracing and understanding the itinerancy of the exhibition and its audience responses. While a separate PhD project will focus on the international reception of FoM, the PostDoc research is intended to study the heritization process of Edward Steichen in his native country Luxembourg where the exhibition has acquired the status of Unesco World Heritage. It aims at exploring the history of private and public collections linked to the artist within the political and socio-cultural contexts of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg.

Next to academic publications the project will produce innovative forms and formats of transmedia storytelling, e.g. through the development of a deep mapping visualisation of the global circulation of FoM, combining a traceable itinerary of the exhibition around the world with virtual exhibits of those places of display studied as historical case studies in the project. In addition, a graphic novel will offer a research-based narrative about Steichen and the emergence of FoM as one of the most iconic photograph exhibitions of the 20th century.

What we expect from you…

• PhD in history, cultural anthropology, media studies or related field
• Expertise in the field of history of photography / media history is an asset
• Good digital literacy and interest in transmedia storytelling; experience in script-writing is an asset
• Good language proficiency in English, French, and German; Luxembourgish is an asset
• Team working spirit and participation in outreach activities of the C²DH

How to apply...

Applications should be submitted online and include:

• Curriculum Vitae
• Cover letter

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
• Work Hours: Full Time 40.0 Hours per Week
• Location: Belval
• Job Reference: UOL06340

The yearly gross salary for every Postdoctoral Researcher at the UL is EUR 83099 (full time)