Join us!
This postdoc position, part of the ERC-Synergy sponsored BLOCKADE project, seeks to understand the long legacies of blockades on the post-war order. Specifically, it questions how the blockades of the era of the total war influenced or inspired the key tools of the post-1945 liberal international order, namely inter- and supranational forms of credit, finance, and resource control under United Nations management. Specifically, it questions whether these blockade-mediated institutions facilitate or hinder the transition from dependence to independence and the subsequent integration of new African member states into the United Nations-backed global order. We are looking for someone with advanced skills in ‘decolonising’ international history to answer these questions! Case studies you will look must include one former French possession (e.g. Mali, Morocco, Tunisia) and one former British possession (e.g. Ghana, Sudan). The source base includes digitised UN Economic Commission for Africa records, as well as national financial and foreign office archives.
This is what you will be doing
- Designing and conducting research under the guidance of the project leader, resulting in at least two peer-reviewed academic publications in (inter)national journals, edited volumes, and/or monographs, including one chapter in the project’s blockade handbook;
- Contribute to data collection (qualitative and quantitative primary sources) for the central project database located in Amsterdam;
- Actively participating in the research and outreach activities of the BLOCKADE project, including its online reading and research groups, and its on-site workshops and conferences;
- Organizing (or co-organizing) expert meetings and a symposium;
- Participating in committees and working groups, as well as performing administrative tasks.
This is what we ask of you
- A PhD in history or a related field within the humanities or social sciences;
- Experience in using archival sources;
- Oral and written presentation skills in English equivalent to at least level B2;
- Reading skills in French equivalent to at least level B1;
- A strong cooperative attitude and willingness to engage in collaborative research;
- A strong interest in BLOCKADE’s research topic;
- Prior knowledge of the historiography and primary sources related to the (institutional) legacies of the Second World War in Africa;
- Publication record in international journals;
This is what we offer you
- The employment will be for one year. Contingent on a positive performance evaluation the contract will be extended for two years. The preferred starting date is in September or early October 2026;
- Experience in an exciting, multi-location international research project;
- Generous travel and conference funds and opportunity to invite guest scholars;
- Opportunity for intellectual growth and career advancement, including a wide variety of training, mentoring and professional development offerings available at the university;
- Open, inclusive and supportive work environment with committed colleagues;
- Excellent possibilities for further professional development and education;
- An inspiring academic and international work environment in the heart of Amsterdam;
- An enthusiastic and professional academic team;
- The opportunity to collaborate with leading researchers at research institutes that – partly as a result of their interdisciplinary approach – are world renowned.
This is where you will be working
At the Amsterdam School of Historical Studies (ASH) of the University of Amsterdam you will benefit from an international, creative and independent work environment, as well as excellent terms of employment. Your place of work will be the vibrant city centre of Amsterdam as part of an internationally orientated history department. The project you will be working on is an essential part of the wider BLOCKADE project, bringing together four universities, 19 project members, and 4 PIs, in an interdisciplinary working environment with the ambitious goal to rewrite the history of the World Wars and their aftermaths.
BLOCKADE explores the two global blockades of the First and Second World Wars, and their aftermaths. A cooperation between the universities of Trondheim, Hamburg, Freiburg and Amsterdam, BLOCKADE sets out to prove that these blockades are crucial to understanding not only the way the world wars were fought but also their globality and totality, their immediate effects and their long-term global repercussions. More information can be found on the project website: https://blockades.eu/
Join us!
This postdoc position, part of the ERC-Synergy sponsored BLOCKADE project, seeks to understand the long legacies of blockades on the post-war order. Specifically, it questions how the blockades of the era of the total war influenced or inspired the key tools of the post-1945 liberal international order, namely inter- and supranational forms of credit, finance, and resource control under United Nations management. Specifically, it questions whether these blockade-mediated institutions facilitate or hinder the transition from dependence to independence and the subsequent integration of new African member states into the United Nations-backed global order. We are looking for someone with advanced skills in ‘decolonising’ international history to answer these questions! Case studies you will look must include one former French possession (e.g. Mali, Morocco, Tunisia) and one former British possession (e.g. Ghana, Sudan). The source base includes digitised UN Economic Commission for Africa records, as well as national financial and foreign office archives.
This is what you will be doing
- Designing and conducting research under the guidance of the project leader, resulting in at least two peer-reviewed academic publications in (inter)national journals, edited volumes, and/or monographs, including one chapter in the project’s blockade handbook;
- Contribute to data collection (qualitative and quantitative primary sources) for the central project database located in Amsterdam;
- Actively participating in the research and outreach activities of the BLOCKADE project, including its online reading and research groups, and its on-site workshops and conferences;
- Organizing (or co-organizing) expert meetings and a symposium;
- Participating in committees and working groups, as well as performing administrative tasks.
This is what we ask of you
- A PhD in history or a related field within the humanities or social sciences;
- Experience in using archival sources;
- Oral and written presentation skills in English equivalent to at least level B2;
- Reading skills in French equivalent to at least level B1;
- A strong cooperative attitude and willingness to engage in collaborative research;
- A strong interest in BLOCKADE’s research topic;
- Prior knowledge of the historiography and primary sources related to the (institutional) legacies of the Second World War in Africa;
- Publication record in international journals;
This is what we offer you
- The employment will be for one year. Contingent on a positive performance evaluation the contract will be extended for two years. The preferred starting date is in September or early October 2026;
- Experience in an exciting, multi-location international research project;
- Generous travel and conference funds and opportunity to invite guest scholars;
- Opportunity for intellectual growth and career advancement, including a wide variety of training, mentoring and professional development offerings available at the university;
- Open, inclusive and supportive work environment with committed colleagues;
- Excellent possibilities for further professional development and education;
- An inspiring academic and international work environment in the heart of Amsterdam;
- An enthusiastic and professional academic team;
- The opportunity to collaborate with leading researchers at research institutes that – partly as a result of their interdisciplinary approach – are world renowned.
This is where you will be working
At the Amsterdam School of Historical Studies (ASH) of the University of Amsterdam you will benefit from an international, creative and independent work environment, as well as excellent terms of employment. Your place of work will be the vibrant city centre of Amsterdam as part of an internationally orientated history department. The project you will be working on is an essential part of the wider BLOCKADE project, bringing together four universities, 19 project members, and 4 PIs, in an interdisciplinary working environment with the ambitious goal to rewrite the history of the World Wars and their aftermaths.
Questions?
If you have any questions, please contact Samuël Kruizinga: s.f.kruizinga@uva.nl.
Application
If you recognize yourself in the profile and are interested in the position, we look forward to receiving your application. To apply, please submit:
- A letter of motivation detailing your prior experience and your fit for the project (1 page max.);
- A research plan (2-4 pages);
- A full academic CV;
- Name and contact information of two referees to be contacted for references.
Please combine these files into a single PDF file.
The vacancy closes on 22-05-2026. The first round of interviews will take place in June 2026, and will take place online.
