PhD in the long-term history of the European Union's Eastern enlargement

Maastricht University

  • Maastricht, Limburg
  • € 3.059 per maand
  • Vast
  • Voltijds
  • 24 dagen geleden
Are you interested in conducting doctoral research on contemporary European history? Would you like to develop an independent research project within the overarching theme of the long-term history of the Eastern enlargement of the European Union? And do you see yourself working in an international and interdisciplinary environment at the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences at Maastricht University?Job DescriptionThe History Department is seeking a PhD candidate interested in exploring the long-term history of the European Union's (EU) Eastern enlargement. The proposed research should examine East-West European relations, informal contacts, or mutual perceptions, with a focus on the period between the 1970s and the 1990s. The position comprises 85% research and 15% teaching.The 2004 Eastern enlargement of the EU marked a pivotal moment in the history of European integration and in the broader trajectory of Europe. While it is often regarded as a political decision responding to the collapse of state socialism and aimed at effectively integrating Central and Eastern European countries into Western international structures, it was also the result of long-term processes. Recent literature on the Cold War, European integration, and state socialism has demonstrated that, since the 1970s, socialist regimes and capitalist countries in Europe were increasingly entangled on economic, political, and cultural levels. Historians have highlighted phenomena such as the foreign loans taken by socialist regimes from Western states and banks, and the westernization of socialist elites, as key processes that undermined these regimes and laid the foundations for later political and economic integration. Moreover, scholars have uncovered the critical roles played by Western international organizations, including the European Economic Community and pan-European bodies such as the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe and the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe, in easing Cold War tensions and bridging the capitalist and socialist parts of the continent. From the perspective of these studies, the 2004 enlargement appears not as a spontaneous decision triggered solely by the collapse of socialism, but rather as a response to processes and intentions that had emerged much earlier.We invite proposals from candidates interested in further exploring the long-term history of the EU's Eastern enlargement. Potential projects should look at East-West European relations, informal contacts, and mutual imaginaries, focusing on the period between the 1970s and the 1990s. Projects may adopt the perspective of a country, an organization, or non-state actors in either Eastern or Western Europe-provided the perspective includes meaningful engagement with the other side of the East-West divide. Submitted proposals should reflect the awareness of the existing historiography on the topic, include a clearly formulated research question and an indication of the source base.The selected PhD candidate will develop their research project under the supervision of Aleksandra Komornicka and Aline Sierp. In particular, the candidate is expected to collaborate closely with Aleksandra Komornicka, who is currently leading the NWO Veni project “The Market Next Door: Western European Multinationals and the Remaking of Central Europe, 1969-1993”. This project examines the involvement of Western European multinational corporations in Central Europe from 1969 to 1993, within the broader context of the end of the Cold War, the transformation of European socialist regimes, and the EU's Eastern enlargement.The PhD candidate will actively participate in the activities of the interdisciplinary 'Politics and Culture in Europe' research program. The project's theme also connects with the work carried out by the Maastricht University Central and Eastern Europe Hub.The successful candidate will:
  • Develop an individual research project
  • Conduct research missions
  • Present their research at academic seminars and conferences
  • Write a PhD dissertation
  • Write a co-authored publication with a member of the supervision team
  • Teach (15%) in FASOS bachelor and master programs
Requirements
We welcome applications from candidates with training in history or a related discipline. We are looking for someone who:
  • Has English language competency, C1 level, academic English (required).
  • Has experience working with archival and other historical sources (required)
  • Has a completed master's degree in a relevant field (required).
  • Is willing to move to Maastricht or surroundings (required).
  • Has knowledge of one or more of Central and Eastern European languages (preferred)
  • Has prior teaching experience (preferred)
What we offer
As PhD in the long-term history of the European Union's Eastern enlargement at Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, you will be employed by the most international university in the Netherlands, located in the beautiful city of Maastricht. In addition, we offer you:
  • Good employment conditions. The position is graded in scale P according to UFO profile PhD, with corresponding salary based on experience ranging from €3059,00 and €3881,00 gross per month (based on a full-time employment of 38 hours per week). In addition to the monthly salary, an 8.0% holiday allowance and an 8.3% year-end bonus apply.
  • An employment contract for a period of 12 months with a scope of 1,0 FTE. Upon a positive evaluation, an extension of 3 years will follow.
  • At Maastricht University, the well-being of our employees is of utmost importance, we offer flexible working hours and the possibility to work partly from home if the nature of your position allows it. You will receive a monthly commuting and internet allowance for this. If you work full-time, you will be entitled to 29 vacation days and 4 additional public holidays per year, namely carnival Monday, carnival Tuesday, Good Friday, and Liberation Day. If you choose to accumulate compensation hours, an additional 12 days will be added. Furthermore, you can personalize your employment conditions through a collective labor agreement (CAO) choice model.
  • As Maastricht University, we offer various other excellent secondary employment conditions. These include a good pension scheme with the ABP and the opportunity for UM employees to participate in company fitness and make use of the extensive sports facilities that we also offer to our students.
  • Last but certainly not least, we provide the space and facilities for your personal and professional development. We facilitate this by offering a wide range of training programs and supporting various well-established initiatives such as 'acknowledge and appreciate'.
The terms of employment at Maastricht University are largely set out in the collective labor agreement of Dutch Universities. In addition, local provisions specific to UM apply. For more information, .Maastricht University
Why work at Maastricht University?
At Maastricht University (UM), everything revolves around the future. The future of our students, as we work to equip them with a solid, broad-based foundation for the rest of their lives. And the future of society, as we seek solutions through our research to issues from all around the world. Our six faculties combined provide a comprehensive package of study programmes and research.In our teaching, we use the Problem-Based Learning (PBL) method. Students work in small groups, looking for solutions to problems themselves. By discussing issues and working together to draw conclusions, formulate answers and present them to their peers, students develop essential skills for their future careers.With over 22,300 students and more than 5,000 employees from all over the world, UM is home to a vibrant and inspiring international community.Are you drawn to an international setting focused on education, science and scholarship? Are you keen to contribute however your skills and qualities allow? Our door is open to you! As a young European university, we value your talent and look forward to creating the future together.for more information about UM.Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences
The Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences FASoS is a close-knit community of approximately 250 staff members and 2100 students. During breaks and before meetings, you can often find us at our favourite local coffee spot Bandito Espresso.Communication lines within our faculty are short and colleagues are always ready to assist each other. FASoS consists of a highly international student population and a significant part of our staff comes from abroad. Our faculty offers four bachelor programs, eight masters programs and two research master programs that are all characterized by their interdisciplinary approach.Our research institute studies societies and cultures as they have developed in the modern and contemporary periods. We adopt a radically interdisciplinary approach, analysing the interconnections between Europeanization, globalization, scientific and technological advancement, political change, and cultural innovation.In addition to teaching and research, our colleagues enjoy expressing themselves creatively. They create podcasts, write poetry as well as fiction.Working at FASoS means working in a challenging yet informal environment. We believe in crafting your own career path and are always ready to help you in making the most of your job. For more information about FASoS, you can visit our websiteDepartment and Research Group
The PhD candidate will be embedded in the History Department at FASoS. The department brings together scholars with humanities backgrounds and a strong interest in 20th century history of European politics and international cooperation. The PhD candidate will also be a member of the Politics and Culture in Europe (PCE) interdisciplinary research group.Curious?
Are you interested in this exciting position but still have questions? Feel free to contact Aleksandra Komornicka at for more information.Applying?Or are you already convinced and ready to become our new PhD? Apply now, no later than September 28 for this position.Please upload: * A 2-page CV including publication details (if any) and the contact information of 2 referees
  • A 3-page research proposal
  • A master's diploma and grade list
The first interviews preferably take place at the end of October 2025.The vacancy is open for internal and external candidates. In case of equal qualifications, internal candidates will be prioritized.Maastricht University is committed to promoting and nurturing a diverse and inclusive community. We believe that diversity in our staff and student population contributes to the quality of research and education at UM, and strive to enable this through inclusive policies and innovative projects led by teams of staff and students. We encourage you to apply for this position.Job Type: AcademicFaculty/Service Center: Faculty of Arts and Social SciencesClosing date: 28-09-2025FTE min: 1,0FTE max: 1,0Salary min: €3059,00Salary max: €3881,00ID job: 2403Job Type: AcademicFaculty/Service Center: Faculty of Arts and Social SciencesClosing date: 28-09-2025FTE min: 1,0FTE max: 1,0Salary min: €3059,00Salary max: €3881,00ID job: 2403

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