Postdoctoral Research Fellowship on the transnational dimensions of the French home front

Funded by the European Research Council, the Advanced Grant “The Global War on Civilians, 1905-1945” aims at exploring the evolution of types of warfare that targeted the enemy’s civil population, focusing on (1) aerial bombardment, and civil defense (2) food blockades, and home front campaigns to ration food, and (3) efforts to “demoralize” enemy civilians, while boosting “morale” at home. We investigate how the transnational circulation of knowledge and practices culminated by World War II in systematic attacks on civilians and the creation of home fronts that mobilized civilians.

The Principal Investigator (PI) is Prof. Sheldon Garon, a global historian and specialist in Japanese history. The project is hosted by the Centre d’Histoire of Sciences Po in Paris, France, an international research institution with strengths in history and the social sciences.

The current team members are researching Italy, Germany, Britain, Japan, the Second Sino-Japanese War, Spanish Civil War, United States, and international law and humanitarianism.

We seek a Postdoctoral researcher on the French home front, who thinks transnationally and also can connect developments in France from World War I to World War II, including relevant developments in the interwar decades. The Postdoctoral Researcher will work under the direct supervision of the PI and in collaboration with the other team members.

Tasks

Reporting to the Principal Investigator, the main tasks are (but are not limited to) the following:

• Research extensively in French archives, libraries, and digital collections relating to the research topics above. Notable archives: National Archives, Defence Historical Service, and Diplomatic Archives, Paris.
• Publish at least two papers in English related to the project, one of which will appear in the collective volume edited by the PI. 
• Participate in the project’s workshops and conferences over the five-year span of the project
• Actively collaborate with other team members to excavate transnational connections among the national cases.
• Assist the PI with research for his book, “When Home Fronts Became Battlegrounds: The Global War on Civilians”. 
• Contribute to the project’s Dataset and Glossary.

Preference will be given to candidates who have done historical and archival research on aspects of war and society in France from 1914 until the end of the Second World War. He / she must be able to develop and carry out a research program in relevant archives across France and Europe. The Postdoctoral researcher will be affiliated with Sciences Po, Paris. The selected candidate must ensure he / she has legal permission to work in the European Union. Sciences Po is an equal opportunities employer and is committed to ensuring a balanced representation of genders, geographical areas and minorities. Applications from women are particularly welcome.

Funding

For this position, we offer:

• a contract for two years of full-time employment as a Postdoctoral Researcher;
• a competitive salary that includes social benefits;
• an allowance for travel and research expenses.

Profile description

Ph.D. defense must be completed before the start date. Excellent skills in archival research in France. Expertise in collecting and preparing historical data for datasets. Excellent writing and communication skills. Advanced level in English. Sense of teamwork.

Application

1. A letter of application (no more than 2 pages) explaining your qualifications and motivation for the project and the added value that you are expected to bring;

2. A curriculum vitae with a list of education, positions, teaching experience, administrative experience, other qualifying activities and a list of publications;

3. Scanned copies of relevant diplomas and certificates;

4. A final report on your PhD dissertation (“Rapport final de soutenance”);

5. Contact information (email addresses, number phones) for two academic references. Applications to be sent to the ERC project manager: alexandra.shubenkova@sciencespo.fr