Deadline: 10 December 2007

The PhD student will research the history of early software in the Netherlands, in particular the production of compilers and operating systems around 1960. Software will be studied as regards its content, the style of work, its patterns of cooperation (university-industry), its place in the emerging discipline of computer science and its place in the research system. The research questions are embedded in a natural way in both the history of computing and European history. The study is part of the collaborative ‘Software for Europe’ research project, which in turn is part of the European Science Foundation’s ‘Inventing Europe’ programme.

Requirements
Masters (MSc/MA or equivalent) in either History or Informatics. Applicants holding a Master in History should have no fear of the history of computing, while applicants with a Master in Informatics should have a demonstrable interest in history. Ability to work in an international team.

Organization
The University of Amsterdam (UvA) has an internationally acclaimed profile and is a member of the League of European Research Universities. The University is located at the heart of the Dutch capital, which is both a hub of cultural and media activities and a world centre for business and research.

Please note that a PhD candidate in the Netherlands is considered a paid employee for up to four years. You are invited bring this job opportunity to the attention of qualified candidates. It is open to historians and as well as to computer scientists with a proven interest in history. Part of the archival source material to be studied is in Dutch. Candidates from abroad should therefore be willing to acquire at least some passive knowledge of this language.

Full details of the position including application information:
http://www.academictransfer.org/vacaturebank/zoeken/index.cfm?fuseaction=detail&vacature_id=9ZNXZPJ5&type=shortURLCode

More about SOFT-EU:
http://www.science.uva.nl/history-of-computing/research/object.cfm/9B32BEE5-1321-B0BE-68D5DB731A41800C

Additional information about the vacancy can be obtained from G.Alberts@uva.nl