Postdoc Position „Imperial Monetary Flows“ at Leiden University

The Institute for History at the University of Leiden invites applications for: 1 Postdoc Position (0,8 fte): ‘Imperial Monetary Flows’

The postdoc will become part of the OCW startersbeurs-funded project “Reevaluting Conceptions of Imperial Monetary Flow: New Methodologies and Frameworks”, led by Dr. Liesbeth Claes (PI) and Dr. Isaac Scarborough (co-PI). The expected starting date is 1 September 2025; the postdoc position will last for 2 years and 4 months (ending on December 31, 2027).

Project Description

This project suggests a reconceptualization of pre- and non-capitalist imperial monetary policy, arguing that the existing literature about imperial financial flows has unnecessarily privileged ideas of largesse and seemingly chaotic monetary distribution. Using the divergent cases of the Roman Empire and the Soviet Union, however, this project argues that by tracking existing monetary flows (in the form of issued coinage in the Roman Imperial period and tax balance sheets in the Soviet 1950s-1980s), a more complex picture appears. This new framework for imperial monetary policy includes clear intentionality and directed investment, problematising the existing literature and expanding knowledge about how financial flows and monetary policy have been directed in imperial contexts. The project aims to foster new cross-imperial comparative methodologies to better understand imperial financial flows, monetary agencies, trade balances, and modes of economic development.

We are looking for a postdoctoral candidate to work directly on these methodologies and models: to consider the broad scope of Roman finances, Soviet budgetary policy, and other imperial monetary unions, and consider places of overlap, conceptual synergy, and largescale similarity. The postdoctoral fellow will work closely with a wide variety of quantitative and qualitative data from many different imperial settings, and should be comfortable extrapolating and abstracting from individual contextual settings to larger theoretical arguments. The postdoctoral researcher is expected to bring a critical eye to existing narratives of imperial economic development and finance, and to work with the PI and co-PI to consider how novel models of finance in such settings may reframe global histories of empire.

Key Responsibilities

  • Conducting research on the overlap between imperial systems of finance and trade;
  • Collating research data and evaluating nodes of methodological comparison between models of imperial monetary flow;
  • Teaching one or two relevant courses at Leiden University per year;
  • Writing articles, in collaboration with the PI and co-PI, elaborating on new methodologies and comparative findings;
  • Giving research-based presentations at workshops and conferences, including those organized by the project;
  • Assisting in the organization of conference panels and/or workshops;
  • Collaborating with the PI and co-PI on the development, editing, and publishing of an edited volume of papers expanding on the project themes and outcomes.

Requirements

  • A PhD degree, preferably in the field of history, economic history, colonial or imperial history, economics or a related discipline.
  • If the degree is not yet obtained at the time of application, the date of the PhD defence should be set before 1 September 2025. A confirmation of this is required from your university or institute.
  • Research experience working with imperial financial data, trade balances, or the historical economic outcomes of empires;
  • Strong research and writing skills;
  • Ability to work both independently and as part of an (international) team;
  • Excellent command of English;
  • Reading knowledge of Russian and/or Latin are not required but are considered assets:
  • Willingness to relocate to the Netherlands.

Diversity and Inclusion

Leiden University’s Institute for History embraces diversity and seeks candidates who will contribute to a climate that supports students and staff of all identities and backgrounds. We strongly encourage individuals from underrepresented and/or marginalized backgrounds to apply.

Terms and Conditions

We offer a 0,8 fte position for initially one year. After a positive evaluation of the progress of research, personal capabilities and compatibility the appointment will be extended by a further 1 year and 4 months. The salary will be between €4060 and €4537 gross per month for a full appointment (scale 10.4 – 11.0) 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 %), training and career development and sabbatical leave. Our individual choices model gives you some freedom to assemble your own set of terms and conditions. For international spouses we have set up a dual career programme. Candidates from outside the Netherlands may be eligible for a substantial tax break.

More information can be found on the project website.