What's Happening?
Erasmus University Rotterdam is offering a fully funded PhD candidate position to study the transimperial history of women's work between 1600 and 1900. The Erasmus School of History, Culture and Communication (ESHCC) is seeking two PhD candidates for
this ambitious research project, which will examine how European colonial expansion influenced ideas, practices, and experiences related to women's labor across different global regions. The project, led by Dr. Natália da Silva Perez, combines traditional historical and archival research with innovative computational approaches, including handwritten text recognition, multilingual datasets, digital humanities methods, natural language processing, statistical analysis, and qualitative historical research. Successful candidates will conduct independent doctoral research focusing on one of two historical cases: Pernambuco or Atlantic Africa (including areas like Senegambia, the Gold Coast, or Angola). The positions offer a competitive monthly salary ranging from €3,204 to €4,051, professional development opportunities, and extensive employment benefits.
Why It's Important?
This PhD opportunity is significant for advancing the understanding of global historical processes, particularly the intersection of gender, labor, and colonialism. By adopting a transimperial perspective, the research moves beyond isolated studies of colonial societies to explore how ideas, people, texts, and institutions related to labor moved across different colonial territories and European metropolitan centers. This approach can reveal deeper insights into the complex historical relationships shaped by gender, race, class, colonial power, slavery, and migration. The project's integration of digital humanities and computational methods is crucial for analyzing large, multilingual historical datasets, pushing the boundaries of historical research methodology. The findings could contribute to a more nuanced understanding of women's roles in historical economies and societies, challenging conventional narratives and highlighting the diverse experiences of women under colonial rule.
What's Next?
Prospective candidates must submit their applications by September 20, 2026. The application requires a CV, an academic writing sample, and a motivation letter of no more than 1,200 words. Applicants must clearly indicate their chosen historical case (Pernambuco or Atlantic Africa) and identify two archives they intend to consult, explaining their relevance. Interviews for shortlisted candidates are expected to take place online during Week 40 of 2026 (early October). The expected start date for the PhD positions is October 26, 2026, or a mutually agreed-upon date thereafter. The initial contract will be for one year, with the possibility of extension for an additional three years based on a positive assessment, leading to a potential four-year doctoral employment trajectory.
Beyond the Headlines
The project's emphasis on cultural sensitivity and reflexivity when working with archival materials related to enslaved and colonized peoples highlights a critical ethical dimension in historical research. Researchers are expected to approach these sources critically and responsibly, acknowledging the unequal power relationships and colonial perspectives embedded within them. This commitment to ethical engagement ensures that the research not only uncovers historical facts but also addresses the complex legacies of colonialism and slavery with appropriate scholarly rigor and respect. Furthermore, the interdisciplinary nature of the project, combining traditional historical scholarship with cutting-edge computational analysis, signals a broader shift in academic research towards integrating diverse methodologies to tackle complex societal questions. This approach could set a precedent for future historical studies, fostering a more comprehensive and technologically informed understanding of the past.
