2 positions for PhD Candidates (0.8 fte) Facing the Enemy. The Spanish Army Commanders during the First Decade of the Dutch Revolt (1567-1577)
Faculty of Humanities, Institute for History, General History
From June 1, 2014, the Institute for History of the Faculty of Humanities at Leiden University (General History Section) will be appointing:.
2 positions for PhD Candidates (0.8 fte) Facing the Enemy. The Spanish Army Commanders during the First Decade of the Dutch Revolt (1567-1577)
Vacancy: 14-052/14-053
This NWO funded project, under the supervision of Dr. Raymond Fagel, concentrates on the commanders of the Spanish army residing in the Low Countries between 1567 and 1577. Drawing on both Dutch and Spanish sources, it literally gives a face to the classical enemies of the Dutch. We want to know how these historical figures became either war heroes or war criminals in narrative sources from Spain and the Low Countries but also how these images relate to actual war experiences as reflected in the commanders’ letters, a rich source virtually neglected up to the present. By combining modern narrative analysis from cultural studies with in-depth archival research, this project aims to bridge the methodological gap still yawning between the two traditions, creating a dynamic vision of the Spanish army in the Low Countries and placing the subject in a wider context of warfare and military violence.
Within this project, two PhD positions are available:
- War Heroes and War Criminals. The Spanish Commanders and their Actions during the First Decade of the Dutch Revolt in Narrative Sources from Spain and the Low Countries, 1567-1648 (Vacancy number 14-052)
In this subproject, for the first time the well-known negative images of the Black Legend will be confronted with the images created by Spanish authors, comparing the anecdotes about the Spanish commanders and their actions during the first decade of the Dutch Revolt in narrative sources from Spain and the Low Countries, especially chronicles. Simultaneously, the project will focus on the changes these anecdotes underwent as more time elapsed between the events and the narratives.
- Spanish Heroes in the Low Countries. The Experience of War during the First Decade of the Dutch Revolt, 1567-1577 (Vacancy number 14-053)
The letters of the Spanish commanders active in the Low Countries during the first decade of the Dutch Revolt have been used only incidentally for historical research. These letters were written by the commanders who were often present in the actual war theaters. In order to be able to analyze the interplay between professional and personal elements in these letters written by the group of commanders under research, we also need to know the basic features of their military careers and their personal backgrounds. The analysis of the commanders’ letters will be compared to the information about these commanders in the letters of the political elite.
The General History Section is a dynamic research group with broad interests, enthusiastic researchers and lecturers with outstanding track records and is successful in attracting national and international research grants.
Tasks
- writing a dissertation in English within five years;
- submitting research results for publication in international peer-reviewed academic journals (either individually or co-authored);
- presenting papers at conferences and workshops;
- co-organizing conferences and workshops;
- teaching undergraduate courses in the third and fourth year of appointment;
- actively participating in project discussions and working as a peer reviewer for the team
- participating in PhD training courses.
Requirements for position 1 (vacancy number 14-052)
- MA degree in History or a related field (historical literature; cultural studies);
- high level of active and passive English and passive command of Dutch and Spanish (additionally, passive command of French would be a great advantage);
- demonstrable interest in the history of the Early Modern Period;
- experience in working with primary sources from this period;
- willingness to work in an international and highly competitive environment;
- willingness to utilize theoretical and comparative frameworks;
- ability to work both independently and as part of the team.
Requirements for position 2 (vacancy number 14-053)
- MA degree in History or a related field;
- high level of active and passive English and Spanish (additionally, passive command of Dutch and French would be a great advantage);
- demonstrable interest in the history of the Early Modern Period;
- paleography and/or experience in working with manuscript sources from this period;
- willingness to work in an international and highly competitive environment;
- willingness to utilize theoretical and comparative frameworks;
- ability to work both independently and as part of the team.
Conditions of employment:
The two PhD positions are part-time (0.8 fte; 80%) and for five years. Initially all employees will receive a one year contract. An extension of four years is possible after positive evaluations of capabilities and compatibilities. A four-year contract full-time is however negotiable.
Remuneration for a full working week will be € 2.083,- gross per calendar month in the first year, increasing to € 2.664- gross per calendar month in the fourth and fifth year. An appointment with Leiden University includes a pension build-up and facilitates other benefits such as an annual holiday premium of 8% and an end-of-year premium of 8.3%.
Information
For more general information, and/or a more elaborate project description (to be used for the statement of Purpose) , please contact Dr. Raymond Fagel (r.p.fagel@hum.leidenuniv.nl)
Read more about the Institute for History: http://www.hum.leiden.edu/history/
Applications
Letters of application should be submitted in English and include a:
- cover letter, specifying for which of the two PhD positions you apply;
- statement of Purpose, which will
- state the ways in which your experience and knowledge would aid the team in achieving the goals of this project;
- explain how you see your role as a researcher in a comparative, interdisciplinary and international project;
- curriculum vitae, an overview of to the subject related courses and grades, and a list of publications (if applicable);
- copy of MA thesis;
- proof of English language proficiency for non-native English speakers or those without an undergraduate degree obtained in The Netherlands or an English-speaking country (IELTS 7.0 or lower will only be considered in exceptional circumstances, e.g. in the case of other compensatory factors such as unique experience and expertise);
- list of (maximum) two referees to your application (with full postal addresses, telephone numbers and emails). Referees will be contacted directly by the search committee.
Please quote the vacancy number in your application and send it electronically to: vacaturesgeschiedenis@hum.leidenuniv.nl before April, 1, 2014. All requested documents should be sent in PDF format.
An interview with the search committee is part of the procedure. Short listed candidates will be interviewed at Leiden University. Interviews will be held in the second half of April 2014.