The History Department of the University of Basle, Switzerland, is opening a doctoral position as part of the joint research project “Global Cultures of Risk: Insurance in Non-Western Contexts (1870–1980)”, funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF).

Your position

The joint research project takes the history of insurance as an example to examine the institutional and cultural conditions of globalisation. It focuses on the tertiary sector and its goods and services, which were key to economic development also in non-Western regions. The doctoral position will be responsible for one of four subprojects, investigating “Development through insurance. The formation of an insurance industry in sub-Saharan Africa (World War I to 1970s)”. The subproject focuses on the insurance-related policies of international organisations in sub-Saharan Africa (UNCTAD, International Labour Organisation, United Nations) and on two African countries, Nigeria and Cameroon, and their insurance markets. The project is headed by Prof. Martin Lengwiler (University of Basel, Switzerland) and Prof. Robin Pearson (University of Hull, UK). The position is part of a research team, together with two other doctoral positions (see the parallel offer at theUniversity of Hull).

Your profile

You have a university degree (M.A. or equivalent) in History and excellent knowledge in English (preferably also in German). You have experience in the fields of economic history and/or global history/African history and in working with archival sources. Also, you are prepared to pursue your dissertation project within a collaborative framework, affiliated to the University of Basel and as a member of the Basel Graduate School of History.

We offer you

The Department of History provides a qualified field of work in a dynamic academic work environment as well as attractive conditions of employment and social benefits.

Application / Contact

The University of Basle is committed to increasing the number of women in its scientific personnel and warmly encourages well-qualified women researchers to apply.

The application dossier contains a curriculum vitae and copies from academic diplomas. We look forward to receiving your complete online application by the deadline of June, 30th, 2018.

Beginning of contract: August 1st, 2018, or upon agreement.

Additional information on this position may be obtained by Prof. Dr. Martin Lengwiler, Department of History, Hirschgässlein 21, CH-4051 Basel.