The Department of History at the University of Basel, Switzerland, invites applications for a PhD position in a global history project led by Prof. Dr. Marie Muschalek (principal investigator, PI), to be filled as of April 1st, 2025 or by agreement

As a PhD candidate you will research the collection of fish and mollusks in the Southwestern Pacific, which was the stage of sustained and intense seafaring exploration and multi-imperial penetration throughout the entire nineteenth century. Possibly including the collectors of Hamburg's Godeffroy Museum, you will follow those naturalist journeys that crossed the vast seas between islands, littorals, archipelagos in search for marine life, while critically relying on indigenous navigation and fishing skills and animal knowledge

Qualifications 

• You must hold a Master's degree (or equivalent) in History or a related discipline. You must be fluent in English, our team's working language. Additional language proficiencies relevant to your work package are welcome.
• You must take residence in Basel during the entire contract period and be able to travel for the project's field research. You should have some experiences in archival research and a familiarity with the historiography of the Southwestern Pacific's (post-)colonial past.
• You should be keen to learn, open to creative, experimental work, and eager to actively participate in the team effort.