The Swiss National Science Foundation-funded Research Project Shaping Asian Future Generations in an Age of (De)Colonisation: Playgrounds and outdoor games in India and China (ca 1900–1950) directed by Dr Elena Valdameri is offering two PhD positions at the professorship for History of the Modern World in the Department of Humanities and Social and Political Sciences of the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) in Zürich, Switzerland.  

The positions are funded for three and a half years (extendable to four years) and the theses will be supervised by Prof. Dr Harald Fischer-Tiné in close cooperation with Elena Valdameri. The start date is 1 December 2024 (or at the candidates’ earliest convenience). Workplace is based in Zurich.

The two sub-projects on which the PhD students will work deal with India and China. These are:

1. Playing with Modernity: Playgrounds and outdoor games for new India
2. Childhoods at the Crossroads: Negotiating tradition and innovation through the playground in Hong Kong and Shanghai

The successful candidates will work in close cooperation with Elena Valdameri and the doctoral and postdoctoral researchers of the professorship ‘History of the Modern World’. The candidates are expected to present interim results at national and international conferences, write the PhD thesis and publish two scholarly articles in peer-reviewed journals during the duration of the contract.

Elena Valdameri’s project will contribute to the costs of the successful applicant’s research visits to the relevant archives in India, PRC, Switzerland, the UK and the USA, as well as travel expenses for conferences. The professorship ‘History of the Modern World’ offers an inspiring research environment with an international team of doctoral and postdoctoral researchers, and regular exchanges with scholars from around the world. Successful applicants will have full access to a modern infrastructure in one of the world’s leading research universities located in the heart of Europe. The salary is based on the ETH standards and regulations.

Applicants should:

• Hold an MA (or an MPhil) by September 2024;
• We aim to maintain and expand our diversity and thus, we encourage people from underrepresented groups to apply.
• Expertise in 20th century Global History; Imperial/Colonial History; South Asian History; East Asian History; Childhood Studies; and related fields is essential for these projects;
• Both post holders will have the regional expertise and relevant linguistic skills to open up new bodies of historical evidence beyond the British colonial archive and sources in the English language;
• Both post holders will be proficient in English;
• In addition to this, the PhD student working on project one will have a very good knowledge of two Indian languages, whereas the candidate working on project two will have a very good knowledge of both Mandarin and Cantonese.

ETH Zurich is a family-friendly employer with excellent working conditions. You can look forward to an exciting working environment, cultural diversity and attractive offers and benefits.

In line with our values, ETH Zurich encourages an inclusive culture. We promote equality of opportunity, value diversity and nurture a working and learning environment in which the rights and dignity of all our staff and students are respected. Visit our Equal Opportunities and Diversity website to find out how we ensure a fair and open environment that allows everyone to grow and flourish.

We look forward to receiving your online application in English with the following documents:

• Motivation letter
• Curriculum vitae
• Documentation of qualifications
• Chapter from the MA/ MPhil thesis or an article
• Letter of reference from an academic familiar with the applicant’s work 

Please note that we exclusively accept applications submitted through our online application portal. Applications via email or postal services will not be considered.

The deadline for applications is 31 October 2024. 

For further information please visit our website and/or contact Elena Valdameri elena.valdameri@gess.ethz.ch (no applications).

ETH Zurich is one of the world’s leading universities specialising in science and technology. We are renowned for our excellent education, cutting-edge fundamental research and direct transfer of new knowledge into society. Over 30,000 people from more than 120 countries find our university to be a place that promotes independent thinking and an environment that inspires excellence. Located in the heart of Europe, yet forging connections all over the world, we work together to develop solutions for the global challenges of today and tomorrow.