Postdoctoral Researcher Position in Economic and Social History at Utrecht University, Netherlands

About Position/Job

Utrecht University’s Faculty of Humanities is seeking a postdoctoral researcher Position to contribute to the groundbreaking project “The Good Society.” This role is part of a broader initiative to explore how societal transitions have influenced living standards throughout history. The project aims to Analyze the evolution of living standards during significant historical transitions and evaluate the effects of socio-economic changes across various societies.. This postdoc role will provide an excellent opportunity to engage in both historical and quantitative research, contribute to academic discourse, and generate datasets with long-term academic implications.

Position/Job Details

Position: Postdoctoral Researcher
Institution: Utrecht University
Department: Department of History and Art History
Research field: Economic and Social History
Location: Utrecht, Netherlands
Number of posts: 1
Job Type: Full-time, Postdoctoral
Start Date (Anticipated): September 2025
Working Hours: 36-40 hours per week
Salary Range: €4,537 – €5,013 per month
Required Degree/Diploma: PhD

Research Area

Economic and social history of transitions in societies
Historical analysis of living standards
Comparative research on socio-economic changes
Quantitative analysis of historical datasets
Long-run development of economies and societies

Eligibility & Qualifications

Minimum Requirements:

PhD in economic history, economics, sociology, or related discipline.
Strong quantitative and historical skills to construct and analyze historical datasets.
Proficiency in academic writing and publication.

Preferred Qualifications:

Interest in historical transitions and living standards.
Ability to work in an interdisciplinary, international research environment.
Fluency in spoken and written English.

Key Responsibilities

Identify cases of societal transitions in history and analyze their effects on living standards.
Conduct quantitative and historical research on real wages, education, stature, and life expectancy.
Produce datasets and academic papers on living standards and societal organization.
Collaborate with an interdisciplinary team of researchers and contribute to international research discussions.