Postdoctoral Fellow in Modern Economic History

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About the position

The Department of Historical Sciences at the Faculty of Humanity offers an exciting 4-year postdoctoral position that gives you the opportunity to develop a strong profile as researcher. The 4-year postdoctoral fellowship is associated with a European Research Council/Horizon Europe research project, entitled “BLOCKADE: The Hidden Weapon. Blockade in the Era of the Two Worlds”. The project explores the impact and legacy of the (sea) blockades during and after both World Wars and is undertaken by international teams in four locations, including at NTNU, the University of Freiburg, the University of Amsterdam and the University of Hamburg. The purpose of the postdoctoral position is for the employee to build up a researcher profile and competence that qualifies the person to apply for a position as associate professor.

The postdoctoral researcher will focus on the work package 'Learning, economic policy and business strategy in neutral countries'. During the First World War, the economies and companies of neutral countries adjacent to the Central Powers (such as Norway and the Netherlands) were seriously affected by the blockade. The postdoctoral researcher will examine how companies and economies learned from this experience, with a focus on adjustments in economic policy, company strategies, and risk management from the 1920s to the 1940s. Using government and company records, the postdoctoral fellow will examine at least two neutral countries to identify common patterns and differences over time.

The postdoctoral fellow is encouraged to develop their own approach to these questions. The work package is one of four positions across the four BLOCKADE locations that should speak to the theme of 'Learning/unlearning', exploring how blockade experiences inform institutional, societal, and individual learning and innovation across countries and war and post-war periods. The team members will work together across locations to build a rich source base for BLOCKADE.

Planned starting date for this position is 01.05.2026.

The postdoctoral fellow will work with the project leader of the Trondheim team, Jonas Scherner. Your immediate leader will be the Head of Department. 

About the project 

BLOCKADE (ERC Synergy Grant #101166983, www.blockades.eu) explores the two blockades of the First and Second World Wars, and their aftermaths. In these total wars, the Allies imposed a global blockade on their enemies, and the Central and Axis powers responded with blockades of their own. Over a period of six years, the BLOCKADE team, based in Trondheim, Hamburg, Amsterdam and Freiburg, will analyse the impact of blockades on households, states, corporations and the international order; on the development of political and military strategy; on how the wars were prepared, experienced and remembered; and on how peace was made. BLOCKADE sets out to prove that these blockades are crucial to understanding not only the way the World Wars were fought but also their globality and totality, their immediate effects and their long-term global repercussions. More information about the project can also be found on www.blockades.eu.

Duties of the position

• Carry out research of high ambition and excellent quality
• Publish at least two articles in leading peer-reviewed journals
• Publish at least one chapter in the project’s handbook on the history of blockades and help with the coordination and editing of that handbook
• Actively participate in the research and outreach activities of BLOCKADE
• Contribute to scientific and financial reporting to the funding body
• Actively participate in the project’s workshops, seminars and conferences as well as in organizing and hosting those events taking place in Trondheim
• Help organize BLOCKADE’s research and reading seminars
• Contribute to data collection (qualitative and quantitative primary sources) for the central database located in Amsterdam

Required selection criteria

• You must have completed a doctoral degree in degree in modern history; preference will be given to applicants with expertise in economic history or business history
• If you are in the final phase of your doctorate and can document that the thesis has been submitted or that the defense date has been confirmed, your application can be considered even if you have not defended. NOTE: Documentation of the obtained doctorate must be presented before you can take up the position.
• Excellent oral and written presentation skills in English (equivalent to level B2)
• Excellent reading skills in the languages of both of the countries to be examined in the postdoctoral project (equivalent to level B2)
• Experience in dealing with archival sources

PLEASE NOTE: For detailed information about what the application must contain, see paragraph “About the application”.

If you do not already have educational competence that meets the requirements for a position as associate professor in Norway, NTNU will arrange for you to acquire such competence during the employment period.

The appointment is to be made in accordance with NTNUs guidelines for recruitment positions and Regulations concerning the degrees of philosophiae doctor (ph.d.) in artistic development work at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU)for general criteria for the position.

Preferred selection criteria

Prior knowledge of the historiography and primary sources related to the period of the World Wars, or a realistic plan for how this knowledge will be acquired.

Personal characteristics

• Self-motivated and enthusiastic
• Strong attention to detail
• Goal-oriented
• Team player
• Intellectual independence and creativity

Emphasis will be placed on personal and interpersonal qualities.

We offer 

• Working in a stimulating international academic environment
• Interesting research project with an opportunity for intellectual growth and career advancement
• Generous travel funds 
• Open and inclusive working environment with committed colleagues 
• Favourable terms in the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund
• Free Norwegian language training at a basic level (A2)

As a Postdoctoral Fellow at NTNU, you will have access to employee benefits.

Diversity

Diversity is a strength, and at NTNU we aim to be an employer that reflects the diversity in society and that makes use of the potential of the population's collective skills. Our vision is Knowledge for a better world and our values are creative, critical, constructive and respectful. We believe that an organization that is equal, diverse and gender-balanced is essential for us to achieve our goals. 

We strive to attract employees with different skills, life experiences and perspectives to contribute to even better problem solving of our societal mission in research and education.  

If you think this position is relevant and interesting, we encourage you to apply, regardless of gender, functional ability and cultural background, or whether you have been out of work for a period of time.

At NTNU we want to increase the proportion of women in scientific positions. We have a number of measures to promote equality. 

Salary and conditions

As a Postdoctoral Fellow (code 1352) you are normally paid from gross NOK 633 400,- per annum before tax, depending on qualifications and seniority. From the salary, 2% is deducted as a contribution to the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund.

The period of employment is 4 years.

The position is conditional on external funding. 

As an employee at NTNU, it is important to keep yourself up to date with academic and organizational changes and to adapt to them. 

For the necessary professional and social interaction, it is a prerequisite that you are physically present and available to the institution on a daily basis.

The appointment is carried out in accordance with the principles of the State Employees Act, and Export control (legislation that regulates the export of knowledge, technology and services). Candidates who, after assessment of the application and attachments, are considered to be in conflict with the criteria in the latter act, will not be able to be employed. 

About the application 

The attachments (including a description of your scientific work) must accompany the application as these documents form the basis of the application assessment. The documents must be in English. 

Please note: the application will only be assessed on the basis of the information we have received by the application deadline. Therefore, make sure that your application clearly shows how your skills and experience meet the criteria described above. 

The application and all attachments must be sent electronically via Jobbnorge.no. If you are invited to an interview, you must bring certified copies of certificates and diplomas upon request. 

The application must include:

• Transcripts and diplomas for Bachelor's-, Master's- and PhD degrees. If you have not yet completed your PhD, you must provide confirmation on your estimated date for the doctoral dissertation, or confirmation that your PhD thesis has been submitted. Documentation of a completed doctoral degree must be presented before taking up the position.
• CV in Jobbnorge.no
• A copy of the doctoral thesis 
• Research plan 3-5 pages (Times New Roman, 12 font size, 1,5 line space)
• Academic works - published or unpublished (up to 3 items)
• Possible recommendation letters
• Name and contact information of three referees

 

If all or parts of your education has been taken abroad, we also ask you to attach documentation of the scope and quality of your entire education. Description of the documentation required can be found here. If you already have a statement from Norwegian Directorate for Higher Education and Skills (HK-dir), please attach this as well.

Joint works will be considered. If it is difficult to identify your contribution to joint works, you must attach a brief description of your participation.

If you have had leave or another break in your career, it is important that this is stated in your application so that the selection committee can take this into account and that the amount of your research may be reduced as a result.

In the evaluation of which candidate is best qualified, emphasis will be placed on education, experience and personal qualities. Motivation, ambitions and potential for research will also be emphasized in the assessment of the candidates.

NTNU recognizes a wide range of academic contributions and is committed to follow evaluation criteria for research quality according to The San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment DORA and the obligations in CoARA (responsible assessment of research and recognition of a greater breadth of academic contributions in accordance with NTNU's social mission).

General information 

A public list of applicants with name, age, job title and municipality of residence is prepared after the application deadline. If you wish to be exempt from entry on the public list of applicants, this must be justified. Assessment will be made in accordance with current legislation. You will be notified if the exemption is not granted.

If you have any questions about the position, please contact Professor Jonas Scherner, email: jonas.scherner@ntnu.no. If you have any questions about the recruitment process, please contact HR-advisor Martin Jakobsen, email: martin.jakobsen@ntnu.no.

Application deadline: 01.01.2026

 

For practical information about working at NTNU, please visit this webpage. 

The city of Trondheim is a modern European city with a rich cultural scene. Trondheim is the tech capital of Norway with a population of 200,000.The Norwegian welfare state, including healthcare, schools, kindergartens and overall equality, is probably the best of its kind in the world. Professional subsidized day-care for children is easily available. Furthermore, Trondheim offers great opportunities for education (including international schools) and possibilities to enjoy nature, culture and family life and has low crime rates and clean air quality.