Job and Funding Opportunities
Call for applications
MOVE network – Universities of Bern, Lausanne, Neuchâtel, and Zürich
Post-Doctoral Grant (70%) in Mobility Studies
MOVE is the Swiss interdisciplinary network for mobility studies, linking the universities of Neuchâtel (leading house), Berne, Lausanne, and Zürich. In addition to having created the Swiss Chair for Mobility Studies (a visiting professorship), MOVE offers four grants for post-doctoral studies on topics related to the mobility of persons, ideas, goods and institutions. Three post-doc research fellows have already been appointed and are working on issues related to the mobility of migrants (Bern), health practices (Zürich), and urban forms (Neuchâtel). The candidate who will be awarded the grant offered in the present call will be based at the University of Lausanne to conduct research on the mobility of higher education programmes and institutions, also called transnational or cross-border education (see the description provided below under ‘research area’).
The position starts in autumn/winter 2009-2010 (no later than January 2010).
Research area
While the mobility of students crossing national boundaries is not a new phenomenon, the globalising education industry relies today upon additional forms of cross-border education such as ‘programme mobility’ and ‘institutional mobility’. The mobility of educational models and institutions has indeed been fast increasing since the turn of the millennium, most notably with the opening of branch campuses of international universities in the Asia-Pacific and Middle Eastern regions. This trend, alongside the intensifying movement of students, academic staff and curricula across borders, is both a response to, and a constitutive dimension of, globalisation. Given the mounting significance that an educated human workforce has for economic development in the current knowledge economy, such tendencies are expected to continue, especially in response to the needs for enhanced educational standards in the fast-growing developing economies of Asia and the Middle East.
Candidates with an interest and experience in this or a closely related field are invited to apply. In addition to carrying out his/her own research, the successful applicant will supervise and monitor two doctoral students working on the transnationalisation of academic institutions. Given the current prominence of this phenomenon in Gulf countries, some knowledge of that region would constitute an advantage.
Duties
Research
The post-doc grant is intended to support a research project during two years (23 months). Progress reports must be submitted every six months. An active participation in MOVE activities, conferences and annual publications is expected.
Teaching
MOVE post-doc researchers are part of the interdisciplinary academic community involved in the MOVE ProDoc programme (for general information about ProDoc programmes, please visit www.snf.ch/E/funding/individuals/prodoc/Pages/default.aspx. They are required to regularly contribute to the ProDoc seminars (2-3 days per semester), as well as to provide support to the doctoral students enrolled in the programme.
Application procedures
Candidates having earned a PhD (or equivalent) between 2004 and 2009, and whose research project is related to the areas discussed above, are invited to submit a research proposal (not exceeding 5 pages). The proposal should discuss the state of the art in the field, the applicant’s own research experience, as well as provide an outline of the project (theoretical approach, research questions, methods, and planning). In addition to the research proposal, the application must include a short research abstract (one page max.), a CV, a list of publications and a copy of the PhD degree. Additional information and copies of selected publications may be requested at a later stage.
The closing date for applications is August 20, 2009.
Shortlisted candidates will be notified by September 15, 2009 and will be invited to present their project personally. The final decision will be announced on or before October 15, 2009.
Conditions
Duration: 23 months, starting autumn/winter 2009-2010 (no later than January 2010)
Location: University of Lausanne
Grant: CHF 61’000 per year (gross); additional funding for travel and research expenses up to CHF 5’000 per year.
Contact details and additional information
Please send your application by post or via email to:
Dr. Peter Voll, Programme Manager
Swiss Forum for Migration and Population Studies
University of Neuchâtel
Rue St-Honoré 2
CH-2000 Neuchâtel
Phone: +41 (0)32 718 39 32
For further enquiries please contact Dr. Peter Voll at peter.voll@unine.ch or visit: www.migration-population.ch/page27832.html
Bibliographer Wanted!
At T2M we’re always trying to find new tools to help transport and mobility historians. Back in 2007, Clay McShane came up with an excellent idea: an annual bibliography of publications dealing with transport and mobility history over the past year.
In the February 2007 Newsletter, he was able to complete the first of these – listing books and articles relating to waterways. Unfortunately since then, the pressure of work has meant that Clay hasn’t been able to continue this valuable aid. We think it is too good an idea to lose, so we’re looking for someone – or some people – to take over; it is a big job, but really useful. Basically it means keeping your eyes open for any and all publications you can find – and that T2M members tell you about – over the course of a year, and then putting them into logical categories (modal has been used in the past).
The bibliography would then be updated on a rolling basis throughout the year, and featured on the website and in the Newsletter – over the years it will build up to form a really valuable reference tool that will make our lives easier.
If you are interested, please contact Mike Esbester: m.o.esbester@reading.ac.uk