PhD candidates exploring the history of early childcare in Central and Eastern Europe

Vacancies: PhD candidates exploring the history of early childcare in Central and Eastern Europe

The PhD candidates will become part of a research team exploring a century of early childcare and the invisible work linked to the first 1,000 days of human life in modern central and eastern Europe led by Prof. dr. Sarah A. Cramsey. The positions are fully funded under the ERC Starting Grant scheme (project CARECENTURY). The expected starting date is 1 September 2025. 

Project description:
How did caretakers rooted in families, communities and societies nurture very young children across historical time? And, how have care practices changed across different peoples, states and political economies in the dynamic 20th century? This ambitious project answers these important, yet mostly overlooked, questions with a comparative study of early childcare in central and eastern Europe from 1905 to 2004.  

The late Habsburg Empire and, after 1918, six of its successor states offer an ideal laboratory to explore how the invisible work of caretaking was impacted by changing political, social and economic circumstances. In this ethnically and religiously diverse region, care continued during depressions, wars, genocides, displacements and revolutions. This project will be the first to study early childcare in this region systematically and conceptualize the history of private and public caretaking in early life more broadly.

To achieve this goal of defining and explaining care practices, this project has three objectives: (1) to show the nature and scope of the invisible work required during the first 1,000 days of life using unexamined voices, spaces and things; (2) to use insights from sociological and economic literatures to conceptualize and theorize the caretaking regimes of central and eastern Europe and explain continuities and discontinuities of caretaking within one diverse region, and (3) to examine the afterlife of caretaking regimes after 1989 and European Union expansion, while also exploring the legacies and debates about caretaking which endure today.  

This project hypothesizes that caretaking regimes–a collection of medical beliefs, moral assumptions, new technologies and advances in material culture–interacted with changing political economies and inherited religious and ethnic sensitivities. Variations across this interaction explain how and why caretakers utilized some early childcare practices and not others within this illuminating milieu.

PhD Projects
We are looking for candidates to focus on one of the following two overarching themes: the history of playgrounds and play spaces in central and eastern Europe; and the history of the materiality of early childcare more generally in central and eastern Europe. The PhD projects may focus on any part of the former Habsburg Empire and its successor states (former Czechoslovakia, former Yugoslavia, Romania, Poland, Hungary and Austria). Relevant language competencies (especially in Slavic languages, Hungarian, Romanian, German, Yiddish, Hebrew and Arabic) is strongly preferred. 

Key responsibilities:

• Completion of a PhD thesis within four years;
• Participation in meetings of the project research group;
• Presentations of intermediate research results at workshops and conferences;
• Participation in the training programme of the Graduate School;
• Co-organizing workshops and conferences related to the project and to the Austria Centre Leiden.

Requirements:

• An RMA or MA in History, Area Studies or Religious Studies, held by time of appointment, with an MA thesis of high quality. If the degree is not yet obtained at the time of application, please include a statement by the applicant’s thesis advisor which confirms that it will be obtained by time of appointment;
• A demonstrable affinity with the history of central and eastern Europe along with a documented interest in any of the following histories: childhood, children, materiality, space, gender, labor and/or medicine;
• Well-developed archival and research skills;
• Ability to work both independently and as part of an (international) team;
• Excellent command of English and at least one additional language. Ability to speak or willingness to learn Dutch;
• Strong writing skills.

Our Faculty/ Institute
The Faculty of Humanities is an international centre for the study of languages, cultures, arts, and societies worldwide, in their historical contexts from prehistory to the present. We take culture broadly to include religions, philosophies, and worldviews as well as literature, art, and technology. We aim to contribute to knowledge, the sustainable well-being of societies, and the understanding of the cognitive, historical, cultural, artistic, and social aspects of human life. Our faculty is home to more than 7,000 students and 900 staff members. For more information: https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/humanities. 

The PhDs in this project will be based at Leiden Institute for Area Studies (LIAS), which is home to a vibrant community of researchers and lecturers with outstanding track records and successful in attracting national and international research grants. For more information on the Institute for Area Studies see: https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/humanities/institute-for-area-studies. 
The Principle Investigator of this project is affiliated to the Leiden Centre for the Study of Religion (based in LIAS), Leiden’s History Institute (https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/humanities/institute-for-history)  and serves as Director of the Austria Centre Leiden (https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/humanities/institute-for-history/foundation-for-austrian-studies).

D&I statement
Diversity and inclusion are core values of Leiden University. Leiden University is committed to becoming an inclusive community which enables all students and staff to feel valued and respected and to develop their full potential. Diversity in experiences and perspectives enriches our teaching and strengthens our research. High quality teaching and research is inclusive. 

Terms and Conditions
We offer 2 PhD positions (2 x 1.0 fte) with a one-year probation period. After a positive evaluation of the progress of the written work, personal capabilities, and compatibility, the appointment will be extended by a further three years. Salary range from  €2,901,- to €3,707,- gross per month for a fulltime appointment (pay scale P, in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities). 
Leiden University offers an attractive benefits package with additional holiday (8%) and end-of-year bonuses (8.3%). Candidates from outside the Netherlands may be eligible for a substantial tax break. 

Application
Applications should be submitted in English and include a: 

• Cover letter;
• Research proposal (maximum 500 words) which states how you would approach the themes of the project and how your experience will help you to do research in this direction.
• Curriculum vitae, including publications (if applicable);
• Copy of MA thesis.

Applications should be submitted no later than 11 April 2025 via the blue button in our application system. All requested documents should be sent in PDF format. 

An interview with the search committee is part of the procedure. This interview may be held online. Contact details for two referees may be required at a later stage of the application, but you do not need to enter referee details at this stage.

Information
For more information about these positions, including a more detailed description of the larger research project, please contact Prof. dr. Sarah A. Cramsey at s.a.cramsey@hum.leidenuniv.nl.