Project Assistant - ,

The Department of Historical, Philosophical and Religious Studies is looking for a Project Assistant. The employment period is 3 months (100%). 

Project description
The work is carried out within the framework of the research project: “Banking Before Banks: Networks, Behaviour and Strategies in Early Financial Markets” financed from the Marcus and Amalia Wallenberg Memorial Fund.

In pre-industrial Europe, networks were at the center of social, and above all, economic life. This is especially true for early financial markets. Before the mid-nineteenth century and the proliferation of banks, most financial transactions took place through inner circles (i.e. informal networks). This research project analyses the economic strategies and behaviour of men and women in early financial networks (1750-1900) through social network analysis. The aim is to understand how early financial networks formed and worked, and how people behaved in such networks. 

Job Assignment
The main assignment is to transcribe and code archival documents -mainly probate inventories- written in French into a database. The probate inventories are from the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. 

Qualifications
Eligible for the position as project assistant are individuals with a master degree in history or the equivalent of a foreign degree. We are looking for enthusiastic candidates with significant experience in paleography and archival research. 

Good writing and oral communication skills in French and English are a requirement. 

The selected candidate is expected to work in close collaboration with the PI. 

Desirable qualifications
Prior experience of historical research, archival research, network analysis, and coding is a significant merit. Very good knowledge of Excel, SPSS and R, are also significant merits for the employment. Good ability to work independently and in groups as well as good ability to organize and to carry the work forward represent merits for this position. 

Moreover, experience of similar tasks as well as knowledge of Umeå University and its administrative routines represent also a merit for this employment. 

We give a special importance to personal suitability. 

Application
The application must be written in English and include the following documents: 

1. A brief cover letter describing the applicant research experience, research interests and suitability for the project (ca. 2 p)
2. Curriculum vitae including information about academic degrees (with copies of the degrees), expertise, employments, list of publications
3. A list of 2-3 reference persons including their positions and contact details
4. A copy of the 30 credit master’s degree project thesis (or equivalent) 

The application is to be submitted via e-recruiting system Varbi no later than May 20, 2020. 

Further information
The project assistant is a 3 months full-time position (100%) starting on the July 14th, 2020 unless otherwise agreed. The selected candidate is expected to contribute to the development of the research environment in history and presence on-site in Umeå is desirable.  

For more information about the employment, contact Associate Professor and PI Elise Dermineur Reuterswärd (090-786 68 27, elise.dermineur@umu.se) or Head of Department Jonas Nilsson (090-7869990, jonas.nilsson@umu.se). 

For information about the department, see Department of Historical, Philosophical and Religious Studies. 

We look forward to receiving your application!