Postdoc in Early Modern Chinese and Japanese Maritime History, with a Focus on Historical Geography
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ORGANISATION/COMPANYKU Leuven
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RESEARCH FIELDGeography › Historical geographyHistory › Other
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RESEARCHER PROFILERecognised Researcher (R2)Established Researcher (R3)Leading Researcher (R4)
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APPLICATION DEADLINE07/06/2020 23:00 - Europe/Brussels
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LOCATIONBelgium › Leuven
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TYPE OF CONTRACTTemporary
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JOB STATUSPart-time
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HOURS PER WEEK30
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OFFER STARTING DATE01/10/2020
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EU RESEARCH FRAMEWORK PROGRAMMEH2020 / ERC
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REFERENCE NUMBERERC-2018-AdG 833143
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IS THE JOB RELATED TO STAFF POSITION WITHIN A RESEARCH INFRASTRUCTURE?Yes
Duties
Research in the field of early modern Chinese and Japanese maritime history with a focus on historical geography and cartography, 16th to 18th centuries.
You will examine trade routes and the existing maritime knowledge on the Asia-Pacific region in China and Japan by comparatively analysing maps and navigation charts, geographical records, the biographies of the map drawers, and the ‘global’ circulation of these maps. Research requires the examination of 1) the level of cartographic-geographical knowledge in both countries, 2) the reconstruction of informal trading routes, including the roles of ‘hinterlands’ in (South-)East Asia, 3) the extent to which local map drawers were possibly culturally and socially influenced by the newly established trans-Pacific route, and 4) the cultural-intellectual and social impact of the trans-Pacific connection on local Chinese and, above all, Japanese geographical consciousness and concepts.
Further duties: Contribution to the project database, publication of articles and chapters in peer-reviewed journals and books, and active participation in the team’s international activities.
Selection process
Applications must include a cv, a publication list, 2 reference letters, and a brief research plan (½ to 1 page) in which the applicant introduces his/her research and demonstrates how his/her work will contribute to and can be integrated into the TRANSPACIFIC project.
Additional comments
Required Research Experiences
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RESEARCH FIELDHistory
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YEARS OF RESEARCH EXPERIENCE4 - 10
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RESEARCH FIELDGeography › Historical geography
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YEARS OF RESEARCH EXPERIENCE4 - 10
Offer Requirements
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REQUIRED LANGUAGESCHINESE: ExcellentJAPANESE: GoodENGLISH: ExcellentFRENCH: BasicSPANISH: Basic
Skills/Qualifications
PhD degree in History with a focus on early modern Chinese or Japanese maritime history or in Sinology or East Asian Studies with a focus on maritime and world history, best with a relation to historical geography. In addition, an excellent command of English and traditional Chinese as well as a solid knowledge of Japanese is required. Knowledge in other European languages are desirable.
The successful candidate should be open for new methodological approaches including the combination of textual, cartographic, visual, and archaeological sources.
Specific Requirements
Collection of proxy data related to sea routes in order to analyse the known main climatological and oceanic indicators (as they can be derived from literature, e.g. wind and ocean streams in a cyclic year structure) and descriptions or records of disasters (storms, ocean currents, reefs, pirate attacks, etc.) and their impacts on sailing routes, time schedules, the selection of specific harbours, and the crews risk management.
Good experience in excel and data analyst tools is required.
Please add a brief research plan (1/2 to 1 page) and 2 reference letters to your application. The research plan should demonstrate how your work contributes to and can be integrated into the TRANSPACIFIC project.
Job Work Location 
Personal Assistance locationsEURAXESS offer ID: 517007
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