The Institute for Historical Studies of the Science and Research Centre Koper invites you to participate in the recruitment for the position of assistant doctoral student under the ERC Advanced Grant ” Cold War Europe Beyond Borders. A Transnational History of Cross-Border Practices in the Alps-Adriatic area from World War II to the present.” (OPEN BORDERS, no. 101054963, Principal Investigator: Borut Klabjan, PhD).
OPEN BORDERS project aims to rethink the history of Cold War Europe by examining the development of transnational cross-border cooperation from the end of World War II to the present. Overcoming traditional narratives of a clear-cut European separation symbolised by the Berlin Wall, a decentralised analysis of recent European history will show us that the question of a divided continent should be reframed. The final objective is to challenge a dichotomous vision of two separate Europes, “East” and “West”, from a new, border perspective. To this end, a highly qualified team of senior and junior scholars under my guidance will focus on the Alps-Adriatic region, a historical area that is now shared by Austria, Italy, Slovenia and Croatia. This case involves a relatively narrow geographical area but an unusually broad typological range of subjects. During the Cold War it was divided among socialist but non-aligned Yugoslavia, capitalist but neutral Austria, and NATO and EEC member Italy. Its development from the “southern end” of the Iron Curtain in 1946 to the “most open border” during the Cold War and a precursor to present-day Schengen Europe, represents a paradigmatic case to study an alternative attitude towards borders, frontiers and boundaries. Drawing on Cold War and borderland studies, social history and the history of European integration, which up till now have not found common ground, our innovative conceptual elaboration will demonstrate the interplay between top-down politics and bottom-up initiatives, thus offering a new, and more nuanced history of Cold War Europe from the border perspective. Reconsidering the European past from this transnational angle, both in terms of geographic and methodological perspectives, will allow us to rediscover the human face of European integration and will offer us a new platform for contemporary discussions on sovereignty, territoriality and belonging and on the future role of borders in Europe and in the world.
For more information about the project, see: https://erc-openborders.eu/.
The announcement is intended for candidates who meet the requirements for admission to the doctoral study program in the mentioned fields. The employment is envisaged from October 1, 2023 for a fixed period of 48 months or until the defense of the doctoral thesis, at the latest by December 31, 2027.
The amount of remuneration: 36 salary grade (currently amounts to 1.815,99 EUR/month gross), this amount will be reduced by relevant contributions. The young researcher, upon employment, will also receive a scholarship equivalent to the value of the doctoral study for the entire study period.
By the end of the collaboration, the candidate must pass all exams and defend the doctoral dissertation.
Candidates should include the following documents in their application:
- Motivational letter (up to 2 A4 pages),
- Curriculum vitae (up to 2 A4 pages),
- Proof of attained educational level,
- List of scientific and professional publications indicating articles and publications,
- Doctoral dissertation project that is thematically related to the “OPEN BORDERS” project(up to 3 A4 pages); for more information about the project, see: https://erc-openborders.eu/ and/or contact the Principal Investigator Borut.Klabjan@zrs-kp.si.
Candidates can obtain additional information regarding:
The public announcement information: Ana Šajn; ana.sajn@zrs-kp.si
The work/research area from the mentor via email: Prof. Borut Klabjan, PhD borut.Klabjan@zrs-kp.si
Preference will be given to candidates who already have experience in scientific research work.
Active knowledge of English is mandatory, preference will be given to candidates with active knowledge of Slovene, Italian or German and at least passive knowledge of the Croatian language.
Candidates should send their applications (subject: MLADI RAZISKOVALEC – ERC) by email to martina.zerak@zrs-kp.si, please CC borut.klabjan@zrs-kp.si and ana.sajn@zrs-kp.si on this email.
Candidates must submit their applications by email no later than July 14, 2023, at 15:00.
Application materials received after the deadline will not be considered in the application process. The submission of documents should be understood as their receipt by the entities indicated in the announcement.