Bourse doctorale en histoire de santé infantile

PhD-Position in the History of Medicine (Child Health) at the University of Fribourg

Call for applications

The chair of medical humanities (Prof. Dr. Dr. Martina King) at the University of Fribourg invites applications for a fully funded PhD-Position (4 years, 80%) in the history of medicine. The position will start on June 1, 2021 (negotiable).

The PhD-thesis will be realized in the framework of the SNSF Ambizione project (primary investigator: Dr. Dr. Felix E. Rietmann) “Raising a Well-Grown Child: Media and Material Cultures of Child Health in the Early Nineteenth Century.” Situated at the intersection of media history and the history of medicine, the project examines the impact of an emerging popular print and commercial culture on understandings of health and illness in childhood.

The PhD-student will define and conduct his or her own independent research project within the above-mentioned framework. Potential topics include but are not limited to: the discourse about child health in popular magazines in French-speaking Switzerland and/or France; histories of medico-pedagogical objects such as the waistcoat, the baby-walker, and the cradle; the development and application of digital tools for the analysis of historical magazines.

Requirements:
⁃ M.A. in History or equivalent degree (e.g., M.A. in media or literary studies with experience in historical research)
⁃ Proficiency (written and spoken) in German and/or French, and good knowledge of English
⁃ Willingness to work in a collaborative environment
What we offer:
⁃ A four-year employment contract to work in Fribourg
⁃ A salary paid according to the SNSF rates for doctoral students (approx. 47’000 CHF for the first year)
⁃ Excellent working conditions in a stimulating multi-disciplinary research environment
 

Please submit the following application materials: 

⁃ A cover letter showing that you meet the criteria for the position
⁃ A statement of interest (1-2 pages) outlining your ideas for a doctoral research project
⁃ A full CV, including publications (if available)
⁃ Copies of your university transcripts and diplomas
 

Please send your application in one PDF file by e-mail to the primary investigator of the research project, Dr. Dr. Felix Rietmann: felix.rietmann@unifr.ch (cc’ Margrit Walthert: margrit.walthert@unifr.ch).
Informal inquiries about the project may also be addressed to Felix Rietmann. Application deadline: February 20, 2021.